Foam Rolling for Fibromyalgia

Foam Rolling for Fibromyalgia

The first thing to know about foam rolling is that there are a lot of nonsensical and made up claims for it with a lot of pseudoscience. The warning is be careful what you read about the use of foam rolling by the gurus and pseudo experts. The claims that get made for the use of foam rolling are not backed up by the scientific research on it. Having said that, it is useful. Athletes use it as part of a warm-up and recovery routines. It can help for some specific conditions such as self-massage for plantar fasciitis.

It does not loosen fascia, that is impossible. Its does not release toxins – that is a claim often made by the scientifically illiterate…. and so on. Do not believe the hype.

Given the muscle pain and trigger points in fibromyalgia, can it actually help beyond the hype and personal anecdotes that surrounds its use? While the research does show some benefits in athletes and muscle aches, there is an extraordinary lack of research on its use in fibromyalgia. There is this study (in Italian) that showed that in people with fibromyalgia that the group that used the foam roller did better than the control group on measures of depression, pain, anxiety and sleep quality. So that is a good finding and does support the use of foam rolling in fibromyalgia.

By all means, please try the foam roller. It does appear that it can help. Just do not fall for the hype, marketing and pseudoscience that gets claimed for it.

All you need to do is buy a foam roller (online or at the local sports shop) and find a program (online, in books, or get a personal trainer).

SaleBestseller No. 1
Amazon Basics High Density Foam Roller for Exercise and Recovery, 18 Inches, Black
  • High-density foam roller in Black
  • Ideal for balance, strengthening, and flexibility exercises
  • Firm, durable polypropylene maintains shape; molded edges for added comfort
  • Lightweight and easy to carry to class and to reposition during workouts
  • Wipes clean easily
Bestseller No. 2
Amazon Basics High Density Foam Roller for Exercise and Recovery, 36 Inches, Black
  • High-density foam roller in Black
  • Ideal for balance, strengthening, and flexibility exercises
  • Firm, durable polypropylene maintains shape; molded edges for added comfort
  • Lightweight and easy to carry to class and to reposition during workouts
  • Wipes clean easily
SaleBestseller No. 3
TriggerPoint Grid 1.0 Foam Roller - 13" Multi-Density Massage Roller for Deep Tissue & Muscle Recovery - Relieves Tight, Sore Muscles & Kinks, Improves Mobility & Circulation - Targets Key Body Parts
  • IMPROVE MUSCLE RECOVERY – Multi-density GRID features a three-dimensional surface that provides more efficient muscle recovery by promoting tissue aeration as you roll, while promoting the flow of blood and oxygen for optimal muscle recovery
  • OPTIMIZED FOR COMFORT – Unique foam construction with proprietary Distrodensity Zones is perfect to use on both tight, sore muscles, as well as soft tissue, for a more effective recovery experience
  • PERSONALIZED ROLLING EXPERIENCE – Multi-density GRID pattern of varying ridges and nodules replicate the feeling of a massage therapist's hands, allowing users to utilize different areas of the roller to target key body parts
  • DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE – EVA-foam-wrapped, hollow core design is firmer than traditional foam rollers, delivering a deeper compression-like a sports massage on tight muscles, knots, and kinks to achieve comfortable, effective, and targeted muscle recovery
  • BUILT FOR FREQUENT USE – Durable EVA-foam roller maintains its shape without breaking—even after repeated use—allowing you to use the same roll-intensive recovery patterns massage therapists use for highly effective recovery
Bestseller No. 4
321 Strong Foam Roller - Medium Density Deep Tissue Massager for Muscle Massage and Myofascial Trigger Point Release, with 4K eBook - Orange
  • PATENTED TECHNOLOGY: Relieve sore muscles, perform deep tissue massage and acupressure with our medium density massage roller, great for relieving back pain. The patented projections extend deep into soft tissue and fascia to break up knots and calm tense muscles in your neck and back
  • SUPERIOR QUALITY: Our textured foam roller mimics the hands, fingers, and thumbs of a physical therapist, but in the privacy of your own home. It features a super-strong and lightweight core, and is entirely wrapped in BPA-free closed cell EVA foam for a premium look and feel. The density of the projections, and their unique shape and pattern offer effective results with a comfortable level or penetration into the soft tissue and muscle fascia
  • TARGETED RELIEF FROM PAINFUL ADHESIONS: Exceptionally suited for a comfortable yet effective deep tissue massage, our product is designed from the ground up to flush lactic acid from muscle tissue, enhance pre- and post- workout stretching and recovery. It is firm enough to offer therapy to the muscle groups on either side of the spine, yet soft enough to not hurt the spine when rolled directly
  • UP YOUR STRETCH GAME: Our massage roller offers three massage zones that allow you to dial in your massage intensity. The smallest projections are like a massage therapists finger tips, the larger projections mimic the thumbs, and the largest ones feel like the base of the palms. There is no hard plastic in our product, so you won’t crack it, and it supports an incredible amount of weight so it won’t deform or flex
  • QUICK AND EFFECTIVE: Foam rolling for just 20 minutes after exercise, and again at 24 and 48 hours has been clinically proven to reduce recovery time by 20%, increase flexibility by 10%, and reduce soreness by as much as 30%. They have also been shown to decrease the risk of injuries in the first place
SaleBestseller No. 5
Amazon Basics High Density Foam Roller for Exercise and Recovery, 24 Inches, Blue Speckled
  • High-density foam roller in Blue Speckled
  • Ideal for balance, strengthening, and flexibility exercises
  • Firm, durable polypropylene maintains shape; molded edges for added comfort
  • Lightweight and easy to carry to class and to reposition during workouts
  • Wipes clean easily
SaleBestseller No. 6
Foam Roller Set - High Density Back Roller, Muscle Roller Stick,2 Foot Fasciitis Ball, Stretching Strap, Massager Ball for Whole Body Physical Therapy & Exercise, Yoga, Back Pain, Leg, Deep Tissue
  • " Whole Body Massage Foam Roller KIT " – You can get a high density 12" deep foam roller, a 15” anti-slip massage stick, a Peanut Massage Ball, 1 Plantar Fasciitis Ball: a solid heavy-duty 2-in-1 and spiky ball, 78” Stretching Strap, 1 Massage Guide,1 Nylon Bag, Relieve muscle soreness, massage away stress and rehabilitate injuries.
  • " Relief Muscle Injury and Improves Performance " – One of the best recovery tools to treat muscle pain and increase performance and flexibility. Rolling before and after workouts is part of a great stretching routine. Increases blood flow to the massage site, and flush away stored lactic acid with the included spike ball. Reduce stiffness and pain before and after workouts, exercise, running and training with the deep tissue massage extra firm ball.
  • " High Density and NO Squeezing Noise " – These are Solid high density foam, are capable of supporting up to an amazing 300lbs of weight, they will not lose their shape after heavy use, have No squeezing noise, and Repels Liquids, enabling you to use them for a wide variety of exercises without worrying about compatibility; They are will help you achieve better performance for many years to come.
  • " PORTABLE NYLON BAG and SPACE SAVING " – The total body wellness kit comes with a durable Portable nylon mesh bag to increase portability that doubles as a yoga mat carrier. makes it the ideal companion for anywhere. Simply throw the set in your bag and use it anytime, anywhere.
  • " PROVEN TO INCREASE PERFORMANCE " – Perfect for positioning, balance, postural and muscle re-education, spinal stabilization, body awareness and coordination, and strengthening activities. This set is great for physical therapy and exercise , back pain , massage therapy, rehabilitation,before and after workout warm ups and warm downs, and yoga. Foam muscle rollers help to relieve muscles tension and increase muscle reflexology.
SaleBestseller No. 7
ProsourceFit High Density Foam Rollers 12 - inches long, Firm Full Body Athletic Massage Tool for Back Stretching, Yoga, Pilates, Post Workout Muscle Recuperation, Black
  • VERSATILE MASSAGE TOOL: Ideal for pre and post-workout by massaging and releasing tension from muscles including back, legs, neck, calves, IT band, hamstrings, lats and glutes for overall better mobility
  • FIRM MASSAGE – High-density foam structure provides a deeper massage than standard foam rollers and is extra firm to support all body types without losing shape after regular use. Effective for all fitness levels from beginners to advanced. Maximum weight capacity is 300 lb
  • BODY AWARENESS – This versatile fitness tool offers instability for Pilates core exercises, spine stabilization, balancing exercises and body-awareness
  • LOW-MAINTENANCE - Made from high-density expanded polypropylene (EPP) that is easily recycled and is water-resistant for hygiene and easy maintenance.
  • VARIETY OF SIZES AND COLORS – Choose from 4 sizes: full-length 36 by 6 inches for full back coverage, 24 by 6 inches for more compact, 18 by 6 inches for smaller muscle groups and 12 by 6 inches that’s ideal for travel and space-saving. Comes in solid and speckled designs: black, purple, blue, pink, red, orange and green.
SaleBestseller No. 8
Krightlink Foam Roller High Density 13" Patented Exercise Roller for Deep Tissue Muscle Massage, Muscle Massage and Myofascial Trigger Point Release, Relieves Muscle Pain, Improves Mobility (Orange)
  • Body Relaxation: Muscle stretches and massages can be performed before and after fitness, exercise, and reduce stiffness; Relieve muscle soreness and tension, Penetrates deep into body muscles to quickly release myofascia, Improve muscle flexibility
  • Good for Everybody: Ideal for runners, athletic athletes, yoga and Pilates students, swimmers to relax muscles and perform daily stretches after a workout, and to help reduce shoulders, arms, legs, back, buttocks, thighs, hamstrings, quads, calves lactic acid buildup after exercise
  • High Density Material : Our foam rollers are made of PVC and EVA material and it's good cushioning elasticity so will not lose its shape after heavy use; They're light weight, pressure-resistant, waterproof, sweat-proof easy to clean, durable
  • Lightweight & Portable: Our foam roller set comes with a durable Portable nylon mesh bag so it's easy storage and transportation; It's very suitable for home, gym and outdoor sports so that you can stretch and relax wherever you need before or after exercise or yoga
  • Partition Grid Design: 13 Inches X 5.1 Inch Diameter, Lightweight Massage Roller With triple grid massage zones, it mimics the finger, palm and thumb of hands; Protected by US Patent Nos: 9,345,921; 9,539,167 ; 9,656,112 ; 10,278,890 and 10,695,260
Bestseller No. 9
321 STRONG Foam Roller - Medium Density Deep Tissue Massager for Muscle Massage and Myofascial Trigger Point Release, with 4K eBook - Aqua
  • PATENTED TECHNOLOGY: Relieve sore muscles, perform deep tissue massage and acupressure with our medium density massage roller, great for relieving back pain. The patented projections extend deep into soft tissue and fascia to break up knots and calm tense muscles in your neck and back
  • SUPERIOR QUALITY: Our textured foam roller mimics the hands, fingers, and thumbs of a physical therapist, but in the privacy of your own home. It features a super-strong and lightweight core, and is entirely wrapped in BPA-free closed cell EVA foam for a premium look and feel. The density of the projections, and their unique shape and pattern offer effective results with a comfortable level or penetration into the soft tissue and muscle fascia
  • TARGETED RELIEF FROM PAINFUL ADHESIONS: Exceptionally suited for a comfortable yet effective deep tissue massage, our product is designed from the ground up to flush lactic acid from muscle tissue, enhance pre- and post- workout stretching and recovery. It is firm enough to offer therapy to the muscle groups on either side of the spine, yet soft enough to not hurt the spine when rolled directly
  • UP YOUR STRETCH GAME: Our massage roller offers three massage zones that allow you to dial in your massage intensity. The smallest projections are like a massage therapists finger tips, the larger projections mimic the thumbs, and the largest ones feel like the base of the palms. There is no hard plastic in our product, so you won’t crack it, and it supports an incredible amount of weight so it won’t deform or flex
  • QUICK AND EFFECTIVE: Foam rolling for just 20 minutes after exercise, and again at 24 and 48 hours has been clinically proven to reduce recovery time by 20%, increase flexibility by 10%, and reduce soreness by as much as 30%. They have also been shown to decrease the risk of injuries in the first place
SaleBestseller No. 10
Muscle Roller, Massage Roller Stick for Athletes, Help Reducing Muscle Soreness Cramping Tightness Leg Arms Back Calves Muscle Massager
  • [🌟Precise targeting] Our product can reach deep into muscle trigger points. Its professional massage design effectively relieves muscle tension and pain. Whether you are an office worker or an athletic enthusiast, this product can help you get rid of trigger point troubles and restore comfort and vitality.
  • [🧘Fascia care] This product focuses on fascia conditioning and relaxation. With advanced technology and ergonomic design, it provides all-round care for fascia. It can effectively loosen fascia adhesions and restore fascia elasticity, saying goodbye to body stiffness.
  • [💫Cellulite Nemesis] Recommended by professional physiotherapists, this targeted solution for cellulite. It synchronizes to activate microcirculation and lymphatic drainage, targets subcutaneous fat deposits, gradually improves skin smoothness, and restores firm, elastic skin texture.
  • [💫Blood circulation accelerator] The product is dedicated to improving blood circulation efficiency. Scientific massage stimulates blood vessel dilation and promotes blood flow to escort your health.
  • [💫Recommended by experts] Recommended by experts and professionally recognized. Its effectiveness has been fully verified, adding a guarantee to your healthy life.

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Michael Administrator
My name is Michael and I have had fibromyalgia for a very long time. I have tried everything and nothing for it. Everything has worked and nothing has worked. It is a constant battle to find a glimmer of anything that may help, even a little bit. I hope I can help you.