Common Causes of Back Pain: Pulseroll Recovery

Back pain is the largest single cause of disability in the UK; it’s estimated that an astonishing 80% of us are affected by back pain at some point during our lives. This uncomfortable and debilitating experience often occurs sporadically, resulting in absence from work, an inability to enjoy personal time, and medical visits.

Whether you’re sat in the office, exercising intensely, or even just picking a pencil up off the floor, back pain can strike at any time.

There are many common causes of back pain that you may be unaware of. As it’s an extremely prevalent issue, we’ve compiled a list of causes coupled with Pulseroll solutions to help you when back pain strikes:

Non-specific Back Pain

Sometimes back pain may be a result of an injury such as a sprain or strain, but it often occurs for no apparent reason. You may wake up with it one morning or it could develop during the day, resulting from poor posture or lifting something awkwardly. It’s rare that non-specific back pain is anything serious and normally improves over time.

Medical Conditions that Cause Back Pain

 According to the NHS, conditions that can cause back pain include:

• A slipped (prolapsed) disc
• Sciatica
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Spondylolisthesis

These conditions are treated differently to non-specific back pain.

Feeling Anxious and Run Down

The overlap of anxiety, depression, and pain is particularly evident in chronic low back pain. Being anxious activates the body’s stress response, causing us to become extremely tense and more resilient in order to ‘fight or flight’ from a perceived danger. Chemical changes also occur in the body and lead to muscle tension and spasm, resulting in back, shoulder, and neck pain.

It’s often difficult to find the motivation to move out of your bed when you’re feeling overwhelmed with anxiety, and when it’s coupled with back pain, the prospect of moving seems impossible.

However, if you avoid moving your back completely, it could make the symptoms worse, so here is how you can use Pulseroll at home to alleviate the pain:

Peanut Massage Ball Exercise For Lower Back Muscles

The Pulseroll Peanut Massage Ball is fantastic for releasing knots and tension in your lower back. Its handy size makes it portable and lightweight for when you’re on the move, and the unique shape allows you to target and alleviate trigger points in the lower back region. You don’t have to worry about the Peanut Massage Ball losing power whilst you’re on the go either, thanks to the 3-hour rechargeable battery. You may also find that using the Pulseroll Peanut Ball on the glutes and hip flexors can help your back pain.

The Peanut Massage Ball also includes 4 vibration speed settings for you to choose from. Try them out with our techniques and positioning to see which one provides the most relief.

Take a look at our expert video guide for how to use the Peanut Massage Ball on your lower back.

Vibrating Foam Roller For The Lower Back

If your lower back pain is being caused by the tightening of muscles in the area, using a Vibrating Foam Roller can help enhance blood flow to the muscles, alleviate trigger points, and soften connective tissue.

The vibrating foam roller also includes a rechargeable battery and 4 vibration speed settings for you to choose from. Test them all out to see which setting provides the most relief for your back pain.

The correct technique and positioning when using a foam roller is vital for effective results and avoiding aggravating the issues further. See our expert video guide for the best foam rolling technique for lower back muscles:

If your back problems persist, then visit your doctor; they may recommend extra treatments if they don’t think your pain will improve with self-help measures alone.

For more Pulseroll recovery tips and techniques, follow us over on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The post Common Causes of Back Pain: Pulseroll Recovery appeared first on Pulseroll.

source https://pulseroll.com/common-causes-of-back-pain/

Let’s Go, Stephen Danyo and Terry Flanagan!

It’s fight night on Saturday, with Pulseroll ambassador Stephen Danyo taking to the ring, boxing on Sky Sports! Over in America, Terry Flanagan also steps between the ropes as he takes on Regis Prograis in the World Boxing Super Series.

Former WBO European Champion Danyo will be competing at middleweight on the bill, topped by John Ryder’s clash with Andrey Sirotkin, he’ll be coming up against Felix Cash.

Stephen Danyo makes use of Pulseroll

Stephen Danyo has long been a user of Pulseroll, making great use of the Pulseroll and Pulseroll Peanut as essential parts of his recovery workflow. The intensity of the vibrating foam roller, plus rechargeable batteries make the product perfect for a recovering athlete. You can see more of our work with Stephen in his official Pulseroll Athlete Profile, and learn more about the intense recovery product.

In America, former WBO World Champion Terry Flanagan looks to get back to winning ways as he competes in the World Boxing Super Series. ‘Turbo’ will be taking to the ring in New Orleans against the dangerous Regis Prograis in a lightweight bout, his return from the first loss on his record, when he lost a split decision contest to Maurice Hooker in his hometown of Manchester.

The World Boxing Super Series has been a formidable success already, seeing superstars rise in both the super middleweight and cruiserweight divisions, where Callum Smith and Oleksandr Usyk took the crowns of their respective divisions.

We’d also like to extend a huge good luck to Hughie Fury, who also steps into the squared circle on Saturday, the latest step on his route to a heavyweight world title. The Mancunian lost on points when he last challenged, to New Zealander Joseph Parker. This weekend however, he gets the chance to put that right, as he comes up against hard hitting Bulgarian Kubrat Pulev. The clash has been ordered by the International Boxing Foundation (IBF), who have made the fight a final eliminator, meaning the winner will be guaranteed against current heavyweight king, Anthony Joshua.

Good luck, Stephen, Terry and Hughie, we’re behind you!

Keep up to date with Pulseroll, our ventures and products by following us on Facebook and Twitter

 

The post Let’s Go, Stephen Danyo and Terry Flanagan! appeared first on Pulseroll.

source https://pulseroll.com/lets-go-stephen-danyo-terry-flanagan/

Vibration & Gymnastics : GymCon 2018

Pulseroll, leaders in vibration technology, had the pleasure of attending a very special event last weekend, (24/06/2018)

GymCon is Europe’s leading gymnastics educational event. This annual event attracts coaches from all over the world from Grassroots to elite and now the latest vibration technology. Nick Ruddock, the host, working with the elite of gymnastics level for 15 years, Nick and a number of hand-picked speakers shared their experiences and advice to bring the very best out of athletes at any level.

‘‘Pulseroll have nailed it with their robust, beautiful and effective products. If you’re looking to optimise recovery and performance, you really need to check these out.’

 Nick Ruddock– Elite Gymnastics Coach

Gymnastics & Vibration

The massive demands of sometimes twice daily training regime that these athletes put themselves through and Nick being the forward-thinking individual saw the massive potential of Pulseroll vibrating foam rollers and how they could be useful in the recovery of athletes at all levels. Quite quickly the coaches and people attending the event saw the same potential in the products as Nick. Seeing peoples shocked faces and as they discover that the product vibrates is priceless and a great icebreaker!

The foam rollers proved to be popular and welcomed the new Pulseroll plus and its many uses including; Activation of muscles during warm up, Heating up tissues and muscles, easing aches and pains quickly, Boosting circulation, boosting recovery and all with less painful than standard foam rollers. The lightweight 3-speed Pulseroll peanut ball is a hit with athletes and coaches on the go.

We would like to extend a massive thank you to Nick and all the staff at that were very helpful and engaging throughout the whole event.

‘The Peanut ball shape was useful at targeting the vibration on my lower back and also managed to get deeper than a standard foam roller especially in the hip and glute area’

Andreas Adams- GBR Gymnast Tumbler

 

Check out our Pulseroll range, including the Pulseroll Plus and Peanut Ball HERE. 

The post Vibration & Gymnastics : GymCon 2018 appeared first on Pulseroll.

source https://pulseroll.com/vibration-gymnastics-gymcon-2018/

Pulseroll: What you need to know!

With many revolutionary fitness products arriving in the marketplace, it can be hard to decide which products have longevity and genuine benefit and which are ‘flash-in-the-pan’ fads. Understandably consumers have questions they wish to have answered…and that’s exactly why we wrote this blog!

The use of vibration technology can be extremely beneficial to healthy and active individuals, as well as those recovering from injury, and just like starting any new fitness programme or using new equipment, people with pre-existing health problems are encouraged to consult their GP first.

What Is Pulse Rolling?

With traditional foam rollers (non-vibration) you would have to roll quite vigorously to create friction against the connective tissues and this friction and pressure would create heat which aided a release of tight tissue.

When it comes to Pulseroll, the technique is very different because the vibration creates that friction automatically, meaning that the user does not have to roll or create friction themselves.

In effect the user experience is much more passive/relaxing and simply applying pressure and letting the vibration sink into the connective tissues is the most effective way to make sure you get the best out of Pulseroll products. With a maximum of 4000 RPM, heat and friction are created on average 50% faster than using standard foam rollers, with significantly less effort involved.

What Are Pulse Settings?

The settings on the Pulseroll products are more important than you may think and when used in the right way can be very effective, aiding performance and recovery. Settings 1-2 on the Pulseroll Foam Roller and Peanut Ball are excellent for activating muscle tissues. Without sounding too technical, as the vibrations hit the muscle tissues they in turn send electrical impulses to the brain telling it to get ready for exercise, this then releases synovial fluid which lubricates your joints.

This process is required every time we warm up, in order to reduce the risk of injury and long term wear and tare.

Something to note, which may be very important to your pre-exercise routine, is that the higher settings on the roller and peanut ball can actually over-stimulate the nervous system and muscle tissues before exercise causing them to fatigue, which could have a negative effect on performance. This is especially true for non-trained individuals who may not be used to this response from the muscle tissue, so be sure to stick to a lower setting when warming up.

The top settings on the Pulseroll products are great for helping with recovery. The vibrations create heat, and this heat promotes blood flow to the muscle which helps remove waste and aid recovery.

Like any fitness regime or diet, implementing them in the right way and at the right time is going to make sure that you get the maximum benefits out of them, and this is no different for Pulseroll vibrating products.

Check out our Pulseroll range, including the Pulseroll Plus and Peanut Ball HERE. 

The post Pulseroll: What you need to know! appeared first on Pulseroll.

source https://pulseroll.com/pulseroll-what-you-need-to-know/

Rest, Recover, Repair, Repeat! A Post-Workout Plan for Maximum Results.

Here at Pulseroll HQ, we are passionate about recovery and our products are helping literally thousands of people, from those rehabilitating injury to elite athletes and everyone in between.

We often get asked about which supplements are also helpful for recovery, so we’ve asked our friends at Natural Nutrients to answer your questions in one awesome blog post, and that’s exactly what they’ve done…

If you want to get the most out of your workout, then you need to be thinking about post-exercise recovery and how best to achieve this. Thousands of studies have proven that certain supplements can not only help repair muscles after exercise but also enhance performance during your workout. Read on to discover two of our best supplements to aid recovery.

Natural Whey Protein Isolate

Our natural whey protein isolate powder is low in fat and high in protein, and can be used to increase lean muscle mass, enhance exercise performance and assist with weight management.

• Replenish – Using whey isolate post-workout helps to return the body from a catabolic (muscle-wasting) to and anabolic (muscle-building) state. It promotes the regeneration of muscles cells and synthesis of amino acids into protein molecules, which eventually make up muscle fibres. Supplementing your diet with whey protein isolate is a convenient and reliable way to ensure your body has the building blocks it needs to replenish muscle cells following an intense workout.

• Repair– Our whey isolate is a rich source of BCAAs – or ‘Branched Chain Amino Acids’ – These are essential amino acids which have been shown to increase lean muscle mass whilst preventing catabolic muscle degradation –  for a doubly beneficial recovery effect. Use of BCAAs can reduce the effects of DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) – the experience of sore muscles 1-2 days following intense exercise. Such soreness can leave you with discomfort and pain, preventing you from further exercise until it has subsided. Using whey isolate following exercise can dramatically reduce the impact of DOMS.

ZMA®®

ZMA®® is a unique combination of Zinc, Magnesium and Vitamin B6 designed to increase post-exercise recovery by inducing sleep and improving sleep quality. This holy trinity of nutrients can be taken around one hour before sleep to encourage the body’s natural repair process. Research has shown that these nutrients not only have their own attributes but also work in sync to produce an overall benefit. Here’s all you need to know about this terrific trio!

• Zinc – When you exercise your muscles, microscopic tears occur on a cellular level. It is when the body repairs these tears that the new muscle is formed and the muscles become bigger and stronger than before. Zinc is important for growth and the production of new cells, including muscle fibres, and so taking it post-exercise encourages muscle repair and synthesis.

• Magnesium – probably the most researched nutrient when it comes to post-exercise recovery. This is because it is absolutely essential in protein metabolism. It is also a muscle relaxant that helps to induce sleep by suppressing the nervous system. Taking magnesium before bed is a good idea because it allows your body to accelerate important repair processes, which in turn will leave you feeling more energised upon waking.

• Vitamin B6 – not just one nutrient but a group of water-soluble compounds. Because they are water-soluble, they are readily lost in urine and so a regular and adequate intake is essential. This vitamin is involved in the synthesis of genetic material, amino acids and proteins – helping to repair muscle cells post-exercise. The role of B6 within ZMA® is to support the absorption and utilisation of both Zinc and Magnesium.

ZMA® is a unique formulation containing each of the above. Zinc and magnesium work together to prepare the body for sleep and enter a recovery zone, and Vitamin B6 ensures optimal absorption of each. This combination has been shown to promote REM sleep, a deeper sleep that leaves you feeling more rested upon waking. This in turn encourages the body to accelerate the repair process it enters when sleeping, helping muscles to synthesise and recover.

Supplementing your diet with both ZMA® and Natural Whey Protein Isolate will encourage your body’s natural repair processes, ensuring not only a speedy recovery but also an increased performance ability for future workouts. Follow the directions of use below to provide your body with a reliable source of all it needs to rest and recover post-exercise…

• ZMA® – Take 3 capsules for men, and 2 capsules for women daily, 30-60 minutes before bedtime. For best results avoid taking ZMA®® with calcium-rich foods (as zinc and calcium compete for the absorption sites within the body.)

• Natural Whey Protein Isolate – Add 1 level scoop of protein powder to 200ml of water, or any liquid of your choosing – shake well, drink and enjoy! Repeat 1-3 times daily or as required.

Find out more…

ZMA®® > https://naturalnutrients.co.uk/our-range/ZMA®-capsules 

Whey Protein Powder > https://naturalnutrients.co.uk/product-category/whey-protein-powder/

References

• West, D., Abou Sawan, S., Mazzulla, M., Williamson, E. and Moore, D. (2017). Whey Protein Supplementation Enhances Whole Body Protein Metabolism and Performance Recovery after Resistance Exercise: A Double-Blind Crossover Study. Nutrients, 9(7), p.735.
• ERDMAN, K., FUNG, T. and REIMER, R. (2006). Influence of Performance Level on Dietary Supplementation in Elite Canadian Athletes. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 38(2), pp.349-356.
• Magnesium Therapy for Periodic Leg Movements-related Insomnia and Restless Legs Syndrome: An Open Pilot Study. Magdolna Hornyak  Ulrich Voderholzer  Fritz Hohagen  Mathias Berger Dieter Riemann. Sleep, Volume 21, Issue 5, 1 August 1998, Pages 501–505.
• Effects of magnesium and zinc deficiencies on growth and protein synthesis in skeletal muscle and the heart. Volume 66, Issue 3 November 1991, pp. 493-504.
• Function of the vitamin B6 group: pyridoxal phosphate (codecarboxylase) in transamination. LICHSTEIN, H. C.; GUNSALUS, I. C.; UMERETT, W. W. Lab. Bacteriol., Coll. Agric., Cornell Univ., Ithaca, N.Y. Journal of Biological Chemistry 1945 Vol.161 pp.311-320.

The post Rest, Recover, Repair, Repeat! A Post-Workout Plan for Maximum Results. appeared first on Pulseroll.

source https://pulseroll.com/rest-recover-repair-repeat-a-post-workout-plan-for-maximum-results/

Luke Tyburski joins Team Pulseroll

It’s a super exciting time here at Pulseroll HQ, as we are thrilled to announce Luke Tyburski as an official ambassador for Pulseroll.

If you are a fan of extreme challenges, you will no doubt already be aware of Luke and his phenomenal achievements that have earned him an exceptional reputation!

Luke’s next challenge is looming and he has been using the Pulseroll and Massage Ball to help him with recovery in preparation.

Amazingly, Luke’s next challenge will see him undertake a 500km Triathlon around South West London, and he’s inviting everyone to get involved…whether that’s joining him for parts of the challenge (for as much or as little as you like), sponsoring him…or both!

We caught up with Luke this week and he told us…

‘I’ve done challenges all around the world, and across the UK, had them live steamed, award winning documentaries made, and shared my journey on social media, but I wanted to create an adventure where people could actually join me and share this experience.

Alongside creating a community for the event, I wanted to raise awareness and money for a charity that supports a cause very close to me, mental health and self development. As a sufferer of depression myself, The 401 Foundation was a perfect fit!’

We are behind Luke all the way and are really happy to have him as part of Team Pulseroll, and we hope you will join us in following his journey and supporting him.

You can find out more about Luke here.

The post Luke Tyburski joins Team Pulseroll appeared first on Pulseroll.

source https://pulseroll.com/luke-tyburski-joins-team-pulseroll/

Vibrating Foam Roller Exercises for the Triceps

A major muscle in the upper arm, the triceps run between the shoulder and the elbow along the backs of the arms. The triceps work with the biceps to enable rotation and extension of the forearm, as well as stabilising the shoulder joint.

 

If the triceps become too tight after physical activity, it can cause issues such as discomfort, limited range of motion and pain in other areas such as the elbows and shoulders. Therefore, it’s important to use a foam roller both before and after exercise to soften the muscle tissue and aid performance and recovery.

 

But what’s the best technique and positioning for foam rolling?

 

Take a look at this expert video guide which shows you how to use a vibrating foam roller on the triceps muscles. You’ll see how to support yourself using your legs and other arm while applying pressure and movement on top of the roller.

 

Watch the Pulseroll in action now.

 

The post Vibrating Foam Roller Exercises for the Triceps appeared first on Pulseroll.

source https://pulseroll.com/vibrating-foam-roller-exercises-for-the-triceps/