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Why Should I Stretch My Back on a Foam Roll?

Last updated on August 26, 2021 By Dan Baumstark, MSPT, CHT 8 Comments

Too many of us sit at a desk all day. The effects of focusing on a monitor and reaching for a keyboard over time can be devastating. Fortunately, there is a simple stretching exercise that can help to counteract our imposed postural duress.

There are two major benefits of lying on a foam roller. The first is to allow the anterior muscles of the chest and neck to gently stretch. The pectoral muscles and neck muscles tend to accommodate to a sustained forward position and become abnormally short and tight. Lying on a foam roll for five to ten minutes after work will help to reverse this effect.

The second benefit involves allowing the thoracic spine, or middle back, to relax into a more neutral position. Just as the chest and neck muscles become tight and pulled forward from sedentary office work, so too does the thoracic spine. When the thoracic spine retains good mobility and is allowed to relax into extension, the muscles of the upper back will actually function better. The lower and middle trapezium muscles in particular have been shown to “stall out” and become very ineffective when the upper back is stiff and excessively forward.

When stretching out on a foam roller, it is important to keep the following guidelines in mind:

1. Keep your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. This will help to protect your lower back from unnecessary strain.

2. Make sure that your head is adequately supported by the foam roller. Some people will need extra support behind their head in order to maintain a comfortable stretch. Place an extra towel or small pillow if necessary for neck comfort. Under no circumstances should you ever have your head off the roller and resting on the floor.

3. LYING ON A FOAM ROLLER SHOULD NEVER BE PAINFUL. Some people however will simply not be able to tolerate lying on a roller that is too hard. If you encounter pain despite making the above adjustments, try lying on a rolled up towel or blanket instead. You will still get some of the benefit!

4. Try to occasionally stretch your arms out to the side in order to get an added stretch to the chest muscles. An occasional ten-second stretch will suffice (see the woman in the photo). Your “normal” position should be with your elbows at your side and with your hands folded on your stomach.

5. Do not sleep on your foam roller or towel roll. It is possible to strain nerves in the neck and shoulder if you stay on a roller for too long.

6. It is a great idea to stretch out on a roller prior to performing back exercises. As previously mentioned, a more flexible spine will enable your back muscles to function better.

Filed Under: Exercise & Fitness, Featured Tagged With: Upper Back



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About Dan Baumstark, MSPT, CHT

Dan is a licensed Physical Therapist in the District of Columbia, license #PT2916. He has a Masters of Science degree in Physical Therapy from Washington University in St. Louis, MO. Dan specializes in sports medicine & upper extremity rehabilitation. He is a Certified Hand Therapist, certified by the American Society of Hand Therapists (initial certification date 11/6/2004, certification #1041100023). Dan has extensive continuing education in manual therapy from the Michigan State University School of Osteopathic Medicine.
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Discussion

  1. Michaela says

    October 17, 2015 at 2:29 pm

    I perform the foam roller exercise every day but I let my neck hang back. I was told by a chiropractor that laying on the edge of the bed with head hanging back is good for me due to constant neck flexion during the day (I am a dentist). Seeing your comment that it should never be done makes me wonder. Can I damage anything doing it that way?
    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Dan Baumstark, MSPT, CHT says

      October 17, 2015 at 8:09 pm

      Yeah, I am going to respectfully disagree with your chiropractor’s recommendation. Lying flat is enough to help extend you, no need to have your head off the edge like a “human Pez dispenser”. That frightens me.

      Reply
  2. Terri Giovanetti says

    September 15, 2016 at 9:10 pm

    I have had very stiff thoracic spine for a year following horrible month long cough. The “open the book” exercise helps a lot but even a soft pink foam roller, when used perpendicularly, feels painful and my spine between my shoulder blades will feel tight and painful for a couple days after. My chiropractor says he’s never heard of this. He says I should keep trying the foam roller. My xrays are normal. Do you think they could have missed something?

    Reply
    • Dan Baumstark, MSPT, CHT says

      September 15, 2016 at 10:19 pm

      This is a bit weird. If the roller hurts, I wouldn’t do it. Maybe a softer rolled-up towel or blanket could work? I would also consider doing some rotational type stretches.

      Reply
  3. Mike says

    January 25, 2017 at 10:57 pm

    For doing this stretch/exercise, should I get a 3 inch or a 4 inch diameter half-roll?

    Reply
    • Dan Baumstark, MSPT, CHT says

      January 26, 2017 at 7:33 am

      I believe that ours are 4 inch diameters.

      Reply
  4. Johnna says

    December 26, 2018 at 11:24 am

    Does lying on tennis balls rolled in a towel, placed at bottom of head take away headaches?

    Reply
    • Dan Baumstark, MSPT, CHT says

      December 26, 2018 at 11:57 am

      Well, it depends on the type of headache. I have seen some people improve when their suboccipital muscles are released and massaged. What you are describing does sound like it targets the suboccipital muscles. So, maybe???

      Reply

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DISCLAIMER: The information on this site is for Educational Purposes Only and is not designed to diagnose, treat, mitigate, prevent or cure any health conditions. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated statements about these health topics or any suggested product compositions. Answers to questions submitted are merely the opinion of the physical therapist and should not be taken as a prescribed course of action. Any advice given by the therapist must be cleared with the treating physician involved in direct patient care. The person posing the question absolves the responder of any liability in regards to opinions given. PhysioDC insists that all patients receive approval from a prescribing physician prior to starting a structured exercise program involving any of the exercises included on this site. PhysioDC.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com; proceeds from product sales help cover the operational & maintenance costs for the site.