Styrofoam Tube for Rehabilitation Exercises
Styrofoam tubes, also called foam rollers, are valuable pieces of equipment for rehabilitation exercises. Tubes can be used to assist in self-massage. They can also improve spinal alignment, stabilization and flexibility. They are an inexpensive tool that can reduce muscle pain and stiffness while improving strength and balance.
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Benefits of Styrofoam Tubes
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Styrofoam tubes are usually 36 inches in diameter and can be either 4 or 6 feet in length. There are many benefits of using a cylindrical tube for exercise. First, it provides a dense surface that can roll and provide support and massage to large areas of the body at one time. Second, it creates an unstable surface that challenges the subconscious mind to engage the postural muscles throughout the body and increase body awareness.
Self-Massage
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According to the Physical Therapy website, the most common use of tubes is for self-massage. To massage your back, place the tube on the floor and sit on the tube. Slowly lie back, allowing the tube to roll under your body. With your hands behind your head and your feet flat on the floor, roll back and forth over the tube from your lower back to your upper back.
To massage your hips and legs, follow a similar routine. Place the area that you want to massage on the tube and roll back and forth over that area.
Two tubes can be used together to distribute your body weight more evenly if the pressure is too great with only one tube.
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Stretching and Balance
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Many rehabilitation exercises focus on improving flexibility and balance, which will also increase stability in joints. When your muscles are tight, they cannot move through a full range of motion, making it harder to perform regular daily activities, such as reaching a tall shelf, opening doors and looking over your shoulder. Massage can help to loosen up the muscles, but stretching will help them regain their range of motion.
A helpful stretch is to lie on the tube lengthwise on your back. Keeping your feet flat on the floor, you can slowly lower your arms to your sides and allow your chest and abdominal area to open up. This stretch is beneficial for reversing the movements that we do everyday, which are often with our arms in front of us.
Your core muscles (deep abdominal and back muscles) are used to keep you balanced. When you stand on an unstable surface, these core muscles are activated to make micro-adjustments to keep you from falling down. Tubes can be used to stand on and walk on to quicken your reaction time and strengthen the core muscles. This will improve your overall balance, which can be an issue as we age, and help tone the midsection of the body.
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