Our Central Nervous System
Over time, our bodies may develop structural imbalances, excessive scar tissue,
trauma from injury, and painful points along a muscle or in the fascia. These ‘trigger points’
can cause a restriction in blood flow to the muscle, shortening of the muscle, and possibly
inflammation and pain. Any one of these problems can inhibit proper posture, effective exercise
form, proper joint alignment and poor neuromuscular transmission, potentially setting the stage
for a more serious injury. Trigger points also put a strain on surrounding muscle and tissue that
must compensate for the weakened area.
Foam rollers are an excellent method of myofascial massage. They break down the scar
tissue that has formed, thereby returning the blood flow and nervous system transmission to/
from the area. Removing the ‘knots’ will also allow for exercises to be effective in returning the
structural balance and joint stability to the area, and removing the stress on the muscles that
have been compensating for the weak area. Greater flexibility will also be achieved.
To correct poor movement patterns, one has to become aware of the pattern they’ve
adopted, and retrain their brain and central nervous system (CNS). Small, precise movements are
the most effective way to retrain the CNS, and restore the correct muscle movement pattern.
Foam rollers are one tool that can be used to accomplish this task. They are hard,
cylindrical and unstable, and their use requires complete concentration. Therefore, they are not
only used for muscle exercises or treatments, but are brain exercises as well. Total focus is
required to maintain stability. Foam rollers can be used so many different ways, it is difficult to list
them all. On the following page are some examples to help you create your own exercises.
It is important to be able to activate our core musculature for stability and balance, not only
for anyone involved in any type of sport, but also in our day-to-day lives. As we age, we typically
don’t engage in activities that require using our stabilizer muscles.
Some research suggests that exercises on an unstable surface, or exercises done on
one leg challenge the core muscles to fire and aid in a person’s proprioceptive awareness – your
body’s awareness of its limbs in relation to the rest of your body, and the environment or space
around it. After an injury, for example, an athlete may find their performance and accuracy aren’t
what they were before. This may stem from the inability of the necessary muscles to send and
receive signals to and from the brain. Proper force generated in our core translates to proper
force and movement in the rest of the body.