- What is the best vibrating foam roller for pain relief?
- Video: How to use vibrating Foam Roller?
- Types of massage machine products you need to know about
- How can myofascial release therapy improve my health according to science?
- What should I look for when choosing the best electric massage roller?
- How to use an electric vibrating massage roller?
- F.A.Q: Frequently Asked Questions
Myofascial release therapy is one of the best ways to treat chronic pain caused by shortening of the fascia of muscle tissue in diseases such as myofascial release syndrome or fibromyalgia. These are chronic diseases that cause a problem for the quality of life of those affected.
One of the best products for self-massage is undoubtedly the vibrating foam roller, which, thanks to its vibration function, is able to produce a more pleasant and effective effect than the classic foam roller we all know. For this reason, today we will show you how to choose the ideal electric foam roller for you.
What is the best vibrating foam roller for pain relief?
- Measurements: 34 x 14,7cm
- Weight: 1,45Kg
- Material: EVA foam
- Power source: Battery (4 hours)
- Speeds: 5
- Plantar fasciitis relief
- Very robust construction
- Perfect balance between softness and firmness
- Long battery life
- Users report mild vibration
- Massage too intense for some people
The battery is rechargeable via a USB cable and can last for more than four hours. All this information can be found on the side of the roller, where you have a choice of four intensity levels and a pulsation setting. Don't waste time and choose a masseur for your home, but be aware that in some cases the hardness can be excessive for beginner patients.
- Dimensions: Not specified
- Weight: Not specified
- Material: ABS, EVA Foam
- Power source: Battery (6 hours)
- Speeds: 5
- 5 vibration speeds
- 6 hours battery life per charge
- USB charging port
- Easy and simple to use
- Does not specify size and weight
- Too soft for some people
Choose a massager that is safe for your health, the centrally designed tips and foam padding work efficiently on the contours of the body. It is ideal for travel or when you are sitting at home, because plantar fasciitis, back pain and neck pain will disappear quickly. The battery lasts up to 6 hours, but please note that if you want to use the 3600 RPM of the motor, this period will decrease. Charged with a USB cable.
- Includes remote control
- Perfect balance of softness and firmness
- Too soft for some people
It uses an ultra-light battery that can be used for 3 hours, with a charge control on the side of the roller with indicator lights. In addition, it is possible to change the functions via a remote control, which will help you to avoid stopping your session when you want to change the vibrations per minute. Its size is ideal for transport, but in some cases it may be too large to be applied to the neck.
- Measurements: 28,7 x 22,1cm
- Weight: 1,36Kg
- Material: Neoprene
- Power source: Battery (2 hours)
- Speeds: 3
- Texture designed to stimulate blood flow
- Provides stress and pain relief
- Only includes 3 speed settings
But that's not all you'll find on the battery-powered fitness massage roller, you can also enjoy 3 speed levels to help stimulate blood circulation and eliminate stress. Don't worry if you forget to charge the battery, you can use it with a 12V adapter that plugs into your household power supply. It includes an on/off button, but you should be aware that this switch may malfunction in some cases.
- Very robust construction
- Perfect balance of softness and firmness
- Easy to clean
- Texture designed to stimulate blood flow
- No battery life specified
- Too intense for beginners
Includes a charger to enjoy the long-lasting wireless battery. Sized to fit across the width of your back, this versatile massager will help ease tension in the neck, buttocks, calves and soles of your feet. Its structure offers an optimal weight to move it anywhere and the foam is breathable, although it can accumulate body moisture.
- Measurements: 43 x 22cm
- Weight: 0,95Kg
- Material: Not specified
- Power source: Battery (2200mAh)
- Speeds: 4
- Includes carrying bag
- Two different surface textures
- Capable of working large muscle groups
- Suitable for various areas of the body
- Users report that it can slip
- No material specified
It comes with a handy carry bag, so you can use the vibrating massage cylinder anywhere when you have some free time. The lithium-ion battery is rechargeable via a car adapter or mains power adapter, which will help you to keep the massager charged at all times. As it is made of a plastic structure, some people found it a bit uncomfortable to use.
- Dimensions: 40 x 14,5cm
- Weight: Not specified
- Material: Foam
- Power source: Battery (3 hours)
- Speeds: 4
- Suitable for various areas of the body
- Provides a deep massage with less effort
- Too gentle for some people
The lithium battery can be charged via a USB cable, giving you up to 3 uses in any of its 4 massage intensities. It is ideal to reduce pain, but also to improve the appearance of the skin because it removes dead skin cells, just place the massage roller on the affected area and start increasing the speed gradually. The battery is rechargeable, but may lose charge during use.
- Dimensions: 33,4 x 13,7cm
- Weight: 1,42Kg
- Material: EVA foam, Nylon
- Power source: Battery (2 hours)
- Speeds: 3
- Three different surface textures
- Able to work large muscle groups
- Few massage modes
On the side of the roller you will find a knob to choose any of the three power levels of the motor. This will allow you to choose different intensities, according to the degree of injury or muscle stiffness you have. As you begin to use the massager, you will prevent the onset of new injuries thanks to the unique design of the roller's contact pattern. Its material may be affected in people with obesity.
- Measurements: 31 x 9cm
- Weight: 0,90Kg
- Material: Foam
- Power source: Battery (2000mAh, 2 hours)
- Speeds: 4
- With carrying bag included
- Capable of working large muscle groups
- Texture designed to stimulate blood flow
- Easy to use
- Does not specify foam type
- Some people prefer a softer roller
Remember that it is not recommended to exceed 15 minutes of session, so it includes automatic shut-off activation when that time is reached. The foam material offers a spiky pattern that easily adapts to the deep tissue and surface structure of the skin. You can choose from 2000 to 3500 RPM, to be applied on the back, neck or waist, but be aware that the vibration level may not be sufficient for some ailments.
- Measurements: 29 x 14 cm
- Weight: Not specified
- Material: EVA foam High Density
- Power source: Battery (2-4 hours)
- Speeds: 4-Speed
- High Quality
- Very robust construction
- High Density
- Long battery life
- Users report mild vibration
- Massage too intense for some people
The Surger Foam Roller has 4 Vibration frequency levels with a 10,400 mAh battery making it the most powerful vibrating foam roller on the market. Choose between 4 intensities to apply the perfect amount of pressure to each of your sore muscles and joints. The superior vibrant massage can help relieve muscle pain in your lower and upper back, knees, IT band, quads, hamstrings, and more.
Video: How to use vibrating Foam Roller?
Types of massage machine products you need to know about
How can myofascial release therapy improve my health according to science?
Myofascial liberation therapy is a massage technique that has been little researched by mainstream medicine, but millions of users worldwide have reported significant improvement in their quality of life since they began using it to relieve chronic and persistent pain. Although it has been little researched by science, it is nevertheless a therapy based on massage or massage therapy, so it is safe to assume that its benefits are the same.
Among them we can highlight the following:
- Improves blood circulation: The friction generated with the skin during the massage process causes the capillaries in the skin and the blood vessels in the muscles to dilate, automatically increasing the blood flow in the treated area significantly. In addition, during the massage, the muscles begin to produce histamine, a very useful substance that enters the bloodstream and is distributed throughout the body, causing the blood vessels to dilate and strengthen, improving blood flow in general.
- Strengthening the muscles: By improving blood flow and widening the vessels in the muscles, they can better absorb the nutrients we consume through food and drink, making them stronger and more resistant to injuries of all kinds.
- Reduction of tension in muscles and joints: massage stretches the soft tissues and reduces tension. This makes the muscles and joints more relaxed and frees them from the stiffness caused by the stress that accumulates over time.
- Better synovial fluid: By increasing blood flow and improving the supply of soft tissue, the bursae in the joints are strengthened so that they can absorb more synovial fluid. This results in better shock absorption during high intensity sports.
- Increases the speed of nerve transmission: Massage therapy creates a higher threshold of stimulation that speeds up nerve responses and improves the transmission of these signals, which improves both the response and speed of reaction of muscles and the basic function of various vital organs.
However, myofascial release therapy is not limited to these benefits, since it is focused on a specific task, we can mention other benefits, such as:
- Releases tension in the fascia: The deep tissue that connects muscles to joints, blood vessels and nerves often shortens due to stress-related tension or age-related loss of nutrients and elasticity.
- Increases joint range of motion: self-massage with the foam roller is an excellent exercise that makes ligaments and tendons more elastic, naturally increasing joint range of motion and making them more resistant to injury.
What should I look for when choosing the best electric massage roller?
Now that you have a clear idea of the benefits you can get from myofascial self-release with an electric foam roller, it's time for you to go into detail about all the aspects you should consider when choosing your vibrating foam roller.
Accordingly, we will now tell you what they are:
Dimensions
The first thing you should consider is the dimensions of your roller, since they will determine how useful it is and how many body parts you can exercise with it. In this sense, the two dimensions that we must take into account are the width and the diameter of the circumference of the roller.
The ideal length is at least 30cm (12 in), which is the average width of an adult's back. Any roll with this measurement or slightly more will be ideal for you. As for the diameter, you should generally try to choose no more than 14cm (5.5 in), as this is the distance your body will hang when you use the roller, and tension can occur in certain areas such as the back and neck if the suspension is too high.
Materials
In this case, the materials will determine the durability of the product, but also the quality of the vibrations and their effect on the muscle tissue. In this case, the best material is probably vinylacetate or EVA rubber, as it is kind to the skin and better able to transmit the percussion of the vibrations to the user's soft tissues. In addition, it retains its shape for a long time, despite repeated use.
Other alternatives to EVA include PE or polyethylene and PTT or expanded polypropylene. Both are good options, although they lose their shape and strength over time, which is why they are usually used in non-vibrating rollers, although you can also find models with vibrating percussion on the market, but their durability is not the same.
Performance
The performance of our foam roller is directly related to the vibration. It is important to keep this in mind because, contrary to popular belief, very high power is not required to achieve an effective massage with the vibrating roller. The simple action of myofascial massage is effective enough to relieve pain and achieve effective myofascial release, and a few rotations are enough to stimulate it.
Although many rollers can produce more than 2000 revolutions per minute, you probably won't get beyond the average intensity of about 1000 revolutions per minute, and you may want to go down to 600 rpm to work areas like the back or neck.
If you have already owned an electric massager, you may think that 2000 rpm is too low, as the most basic massage sticks or foot massagers can reach at least 4000 rpm, but keep in mind that these are different products and using more than 2000 rpm in myofascial release therapy can cause more problems than benefits.
Speeds
As opposed to power, having a wide range of speeds is 100% beneficial as it gives you more options for customization. This doesn't mean that a 6-speed electric foam roller is more powerful than a 4-speed one, as both can be capped at 2500 rpm, but with the former you have a wider range of options between the 1000 rpm and the 2500 rpm it can generate.
This gives you a greater number of intensities to apply to different muscle groups. On the back, about 600 RPM may be enough, but for denser muscles like the chest or leg muscles, you may need to apply 1500RPM or more. So, the fact that you have multiple speeds allows you to use the same product on different parts of your body for a targeted workout.
Battery life
This is undoubtedly one of the most important features you should consider, because it would be a crime if you ran out of battery in the middle of a myofascial loosening or Pilates session. In this regard, there is not much to say: the more milliamps the battery contains, the better it is for you. However, don't be under any illusions about the battery life, the top model has a maximum of 3500mAh, which allows you to use the device for about three 30-minute sessions without needing to recharge it.
Textures
Textures are always a welcome extra on a foam roller, as it creates a direct stimulus on the honey, giving an overall feeling of relaxation, which makes using the roller much more enjoyable. But it also allows the application of a dedicated pressure on different parts of the body.
You can find a very large number of textures on the market, but you can be sure that the difference in massage effectiveness between them is practically zero, or at least there are no scientific studies that prove any differences in this regard. So, whatever you choose, you will make the right decision.
Guarantee
It is important to buy from websites or brands that offer a 30-day money-back guarantee in case of manufacturing defects. This reflects not only the confidence of the company in its product, but also the security and confidence in your purchase. All of our products are guaranteed for 2 years.
Price
Everyone is always looking for the cheapest product, but what you should be looking for is value for money. You should choose the most important features of your ideal foam roller and put them above everything else. With this in mind, it's most logical to prioritize battery life, dimensions, material, and vibration speed. Sacrifice aspects like performance and unnecessary textures. This way, you can get the best vibration roller for you at the best possible price.
How to use an electric vibrating massage roller?
There are two ways to use the vibrating foam roller: to improve athletic performance and to relieve myofascial tension. Here's how to learn how both work.
Improving athletic performance
The main benefits for athletes and sportsmen are to increase muscle endurance, improve joint range of motion and strengthen soft tissue, giving it elasticity to make it more resistant to injury. You can achieve this by incorporating a whole body foam rolling program into your weekly schedule and doing at last three sessions per week.
The application of the foam roller is simple, you just have to:
- Turn on the foam roller.
- Choose the speed of vibration, remembering that it depends on the area of the body to be worked, but never exceed 2500 RPM.
- Assume a position that stimulates the body part you want to work out.
- Slowly roll from side to side or hold the position for several seconds.
When you're done, be sure to stretch your body well so you can stay relaxed longer and better process the lactic acid you generated during your workout.
Release myofascial tension
If you regularly suffer from muscle pain where you've injured yourself in the past, or in another area for no apparent reason, your fascia may be harboring trigger points. Fascia is the tissue that connects muscles to blood vessels, bones and nerves. Over time, it tends to shorten in certain areas, creating a point of tension in the muscle tissue at that location.
Using the foam roller can be an ideal alternative to reduce their appearance and relieve the pain they cause. It also releases a tremendous amount of tension in your body, which can lead to more serious problems if they accumulate in the future.
What you need to do is the following:
- The first thing you need to do is locate the trigger point. To do this, you will need to palpate the painful area or adjacent muscles until you locate a small point or strip of muscle that feels tight or hard.
- Once you have done this, turn on your foam roller and adjust the power.
- Now take the position you need to position the trigger point on the surface of the vibrating foam roller.
- Roll over it or hold this position for several minutes. For effective loosening, the session should last at least 20 minutes.
Foam rolling is very effective in preventing trigger points, but once they occur, they become a chronic problem known as myofascial pain syndrome. Therefore, regular exercise should be a healthy habit that we should all adopt.