Trigger Point Therapy with the Foam Roller: Exercises for Muscle Massage, Myofascial Release, Injury Prevention and Physical Rehab

By Karl Knopf and Chris Knopf

Unlock the healing powers of trigger-point foam rolling with easy-to-follow exercises anyone can do at home and in the gym.

Deceptively simple and incredibly versatile, the trigger point foam roller is a highly effective self-therapy tool. By following the step-by-step movements in this book, you can maximize its healing potential to:

• Alleviate Pain
• Speed Recovery
• Release Tension
• Break Up Knots
• Rehabilitate Injuries
• Increase Flexibility

A complete guide to using this amazing piece of equipment for self-treatment, Trigger Point Therapy with the Foam Roller shows how to soothe, relieve and heal the tight muscles caused by everything from hours sitting at a desk to overdoing it at the gym. It also details the best methods to release painful trigger points and break up soft-tissue adhesions that contribute to chronic pain.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Oct 7, 2014
• ISBN: 9781612433905

Karl Knopf

Dr. Karl Knopf has been involved in the health and fitness of older adults and the disabled for more than forty years. During this time he has worked in almost every aspect of the industry, from personal training and therapy to consultation. While at Foothill College, Karl was the coordinator of the Adaptive Fitness Technician Program and Lifelong Learning Institute. He taught disabled students and undergraduates about corrective exercise. In addition to teaching, Karl developed the “Fitness Educators of Older Adults Association” to guide trainers of older adults. Currently Karl is a director at the International Sports Science Association and is on the advisory board of PBS’s Sit and Be Fit show. In his spare time he has spoken at conferences, authored many articles, and written numerous books on topics ranging from water workouts to fitness therapy. He was a frequent guest on both radio and print media on issues pertaining to senior fitness and the disabled.

Book preview

Using Foam Rollers for Trigger Point Therapy

Dr. Moshé Feldenkrais is credited for being the first person to use foam rollers for therapeutic purposes (for instance, improving body alignment, reducing muscle tightness and teaching body awareness) in the late 1950s. The beauty of the foam roller is that it can be used by almost everyone. In a therapy setting, foam rollers have been used by clients who have multiple sclerosis as well as those with common orthopedic concerns such as lower back syndrome and rotator cuff issues.

The foam roller is lightweight, easy to use and inexpensive to purchase. It comes in various shapes, sizes and densities and can be purchased online, at sporting goods stores and at physical therapy clinics. The type of foam roller you’re probably most familiar with is smooth. The one this book focuses on are foam rollers with small and large knobs on it to provide a deeper massage than a smooth roller can.