Massage & Stretch 1D

Self Massage (SMR)

• Spend 2-5+ minutes on each area, taking your time, move around, search for tender points.

• Be sure to breathe throughout the duration. Holding your breath increases tension, never allowing the muscles to relax enough so you can get deep into the fibers.

• There may be areas that are really tender so roll them slowly and use the appropriate density massage tools. You can use a Theragun or similar massage devices in place of foam rollers and balls. To learn more about foam rolling and self massage, click here.

(1) Quadriceps - 2-5+ minutes each side depending on tenderness. Use a dense foam roller or quad baller.

(2) Lat area and into your triceps - 2-5+ minutes each side.

(3) Arch of Foot with Lacrosse Ball - 2-5+ minutes each side.

Stretching

• Follow up the massage session with the stretches provided. This ensures the best chance of restoring the proper length tension relationship from previous workouts and daily posture stresses.

• Focus on static stretches (holding for 30+ seconds) but move around some within the stretch by simple moving slowly side to side and front to back. Don’t look for the path of least resistance but search and position yourself in the stretch that feels limited.

(1) Half Kneeling Quad Hip Flexor Stretch AKA Couch Stretch - 2-4 x 30-60+ sec holds at end point.

(2) Straight Arm Planks to Downward Dogs - 5-10 reps, holding each position for 10 seconds with breaths.

(3) Cobra Pose - 4-8 x 10-30+ seconds with nasal breathing throughout

• Move slowly into position. Press your the tops of your feet gently into the ground.

• Begin conservative in the beginning. Increase range of motion as long as no compression is felt in low back.

• Breath into your belly, feeling a light stretch through your abdominal wall.

• Watch for shrugging of shoulders.