When should fascia training be avoided?

Osteoporosis is a disease whereby the bones within the body become thinner and more porous, thus making them more susceptible to breaking. All bones can be affected by it. Under certain circumstances, the pressure you exert on the foam roller with your body can be too great, and can favour a break. Caution is therefore advised.

If you are taking anticoagulant drugs, fascia training can cause increased bruising. The first glance in a mirror following a session with the foam roller may then be somewhat alarming. Therefore: always acquire your doctor’s consent before you start.

Slipped discs are a controversial subject of discussion. In case of back pain, it is generally not the discs that are the root of the issue. Oftentimes, it is muscular-fascial hardenings that are triggering the pain. In this case, you can contribute to the alleviation of the pain with appropriate therapeutic support and using exercises to be performed at home. If you are suffering from an acute herniated disc, we advise against rolling directly over the affected area. In any case, the pain experienced will direct us accordingly.

Conventional medicine discourages self-massage if suffering from fibromyalgia. However, there have been highly promising observations indicating that fascia training can also help those affected by the condition. What’s more, treatment with BLACKROLL® tools has proven positive, especially in patients for whom traditional treatment methods have failed. Regardless, you should take the condition seriously, and consult with your attending physician before commencing the training.

Diseases affecting the locomotor system, which are not caused by acute injury or tumour diseases, are referred to as rheumatism. These diseases are highly individual, and ultimately, only a doctor can decide whether a BLACKROLL® massage is appropriate. As a general rule, fascial massage has positive effects on the metabolism. Many of the body’s repair mechanisms are stimulated. Use of the foam roller can favour a positive outcome.

In normal cases, joint replacement poses no problem. Improved surgical techniques and modern artificial joints mean that we can resume normal sporting activity following a sufficient rehabilitation period. However, the surgery may represent a contraindication, as any intervention carries with it a fundamental risk. Whether and when you should resume rolling following surgery should, in any case, be discussed with your attending surgeon.

The problem with tumour diseases is that there is a concern that massage therapy can result in the cancer spreading. Determining whether this is actually the case will require further study. However, if in doubt, it is better to take a step back and forego training with the roller.

You should also consult your attending physician if pregnant. Whether or not the foam roller should be used during pregnancy depends on what stage of pregnancy you are in. During the first and final trimesters, particular caution is advised. In addition, sensitive reflex zones on the soles of the feet, on the inner thighs, and on the calves should be avoided. It is generally advised that you reduce the pressure intensity.