OPTP PRO-Roller Soft Density Foam Roller – Half-Round, Blue, 36"L x 3"H | Low density soft foam roller for physical therapy, Pilates, yoga foam roll exercises, and muscle recovery, Half-round

I had heard of foam rolling and was very interested, but wasn't sure which type to buy. I was actually on the OPTP website early last week looking for a McKenzie product for my back that I had recently injured, when I started reading about the foam rollers on the OPTP website. I read all the info and reviews there, then came to Amazon and read ALL, yes, ALL of the reviews for this soft roller and the blue and green firmer ones OPTP offers here. I was quite torn as to which type to purchase, because the OPTP site recommends the firmer blue or green one for a good place to start. Since I was injured and was in a LOT of pain (just diagnosed with Lumbosacral Facet Syndrome and having a lot of sciatic pain radiating down the front of my thigh and into the knee), PLUS I was a total foam rolling beginner, I finally chose the softer pink one. I was worried it would be too soft, but it's PERFECT. I've been going to a chiropractor every day this week and was not responding very positively. I still had a tremendous amount of stabbing shooting pain, could not stand up straight or walk without a pronounced limp, and had to resort to taking pain meds which I really hate to do. I also purchased the accompanying OPTP book Pro-Roller Massage Essentials with the pink foam roller. As soon as they arrived I lay down on the roller vertically (spine down-tailbone to head, arms outspread to the sides, palms up) in the position called Chest Release in the book - it's also mentioned in The MELT Method (I have this in e-book form) and followed Sue Hitzmann's directions. After THE FIRST TIME I did this for about 5 minutes, when I got up I had TREMENDOUS pain relief - for the first time in a WEEK! It's quite amazing when, if you follow the instructions in The MELT book, and do the assessment first, then do this exercise, how you can feel such a difference in your alignment and balance. I repeated this maybe 3 more times the first day, and each time it was like a "reset" for my entire body. Yesterday, I brought it to work with me and lay down on it for 5 minutes twice. I felt SO much better. Went to my chiropractor yesterday afternoon, and when I left there - limping - I was WORSE! As soon as I got home I lay down on the foam roller again and my pain lessened by about 70% after 5 minutes. I am a believer, and this thing is my new best friend! According to my chiropractor, it will take 18 more visits until I am "fixed" - to the tune of a $35 copay for each visit PLUS what my insurance doesn't cover - such as x-rays, the awful corset thing he wants me to wear, and other treatments insurance does not deem necessary. I feel SO much better doing this ONE exercise that I went to the MELT website this morning and ordered the hand/foot kit and the DVD's to go with my e-book and roller so I can do MORE MELTing. I am very seriously considering ditching the rest of the chiropractor visits and just doing this! I DO get SOME relief from the chiro's treatments (electric stimulation, heat, ultrasound, and an adjustment - BUT - it HURTS and the relief only lasts for about 30 minutes. With the roller, relief is instant, it's painless, and it LASTS much longer! I am a former skeptic turned believer, and can already see how MELTing regularly will help me not be sore after my regular workouts, un-kink and relax my quads, hams, piriformis, etc., and hopefully help me feel looser, more flexible, and PAIN-FREE! I have done a few other MELT exercises on this and it has worked perfect. I do know that THIS USED TO BE the roller that was recommended for MELT BEFORE Sue created her own roller to slightly different specs (5 inch diameter rather than 6, and possibly slightly softer), but right now, this one is working just fine. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

I was almost going to return this as it is a tad bit too soft for me, but having used it for a few sessions it serves a good purpose, that being a milder rolling session which I have grown to really like. For people with neuropathy, fibromyalgia or just more pain or pressure sensitive people this thing might do the trick as far as rolling goes. I particularly like using this for spinal alignment (using the 36 inch roller) where you lie on the roller along your spine as well as kneading exercises for the legs. Because of its softness you kind sink in the roller and there is no spinal discomfort as I have experienced with other firmer rollers. If you want a really deep tissue massage/release I don't think this is for you, it is a more mild roller that does provide a kind a gentle pressure that again I kind of like. It is much more approachable and you might find that instead of wincing or tensing up as with firmer rollers you can relax more and even get those self releasing pops and cracks (I find I do) because of that relaxation. I foam roll a lot and have firmer rollers that I use when i want a more intense deep release session but this is a nice addition for days I don't want that hard roll or I use it as a warm up for the more firmer rollers. I suffer from stroke related neuropathy on my right side and there are areas of that side I would never be able to roll with a firm roller but I can use this one. I know that softness and firmness is subjective but imho this thing is soft and if it was just a little bit firmer it would be perfect in my opinion. As far as the material it's a really light closed cell foam, it will deform during use but bounces back to its original shape quickly. It appears to be well made but $60 for a piece of foam is crazy but here we are! I would recommend and keep on rolling

This is so amazing! I was first introduced to this specific device about 6 weeks ago by the Physical Therapy center in the Holy Cross Hospital. I occasionally suffer from tensed and painful muscles in my upper trapezius, neck, and shoulders, which normally result in a migraine. I am amazed at how quickly this device "completely relaxes" all the muscles in my upper torso within less than 5 - 15 minutes, depending upon how tensed the muscles are. I purchased this 36” x 6” roller because it's the EXACT device used by the physical therapy center at the Hospital. It's the blue one that says "SOFT" on the end of it. I was trained to lie (on my back) on it, with the entire spine and head resting on the device (my tailbone is at one end while my head is the other end).... making sure that my arms fully extend outward (in the "stretched-out" angel position). The back of my hands actually are resting on the floor. That position will eventually relax all muscles in the upper torso (arms, shoulders, neck, and chest)!!! I’ve been instructed to used it this way (for at home therapy) 2 - 3 times every day to prevent the muscle from tightening up. And when they do tighten up, from simple things like performing computer and desk work…or from lifting something too heavy, or twisting the wrong way…or most commonly from unintentionally tensing my upper body when I get cold, I am to use this device to release all those tightened muscles. Please Note: While I’m lying on the roller stretched out into an angel position (with knees bent and both feet flat on the floor), if any muscles in my upper torso are tight, my elbows will not be able to relax on the floor UNTIL the muscles fully relax. Sometimes, I end up lying on the roller for 15+ minutes before my upper traps fully release. I love this! It's well worth the money. It's $49 on Amazon (Prime/Free shipping), but cost $37 on the OPTP website, but you'd have to pay the shipping to OPTP. So, I opted to pay Amazon instead. LOVE THIS DEVICE. Also, my PT advised me to use this “soft” roller “while my muscles are very sore”…and down the road once my muscles have become much-less painful, I can use a different soft roller. But this OPTP soft roller is truly the best. (Other soft rollers that I tried, because they were $20-35, were “too firm” albeit they said they were “soft”). Trust me, the OPTP soft roller isn't mushy; it’s a gentle firmness “that sore muscles need” to help them relax without causing additional pain. I have two of them and keep one in my car, to ensure that I have it when I visit family and friends.

really love this foam roller. If you want to release sore muscles and fascia without the pain of a hard roller—especially on areas like the IT bands—this one works extremely well. You can apply good pressure and get a deep release without feeling like you’re torturing yourself. This is definitely a soft-density roller, so if you’re looking for something very firm, this isn’t it. It’s a great size and slightly thinner, which actually makes it perfect for legs, arms, and lower back. Comfortable, effective, and ideal for gentle but effective fascia release.

Works great for stretching and massaging my sore shoulders. Should stay nice; the foam surface resists picking up dirt and hair.

I've only used this three times so far, so I don't yet know how durable it will be long term, but so far it's really, really good. I bought it for physical therapy for my sciatica, and decided that my wellbeing is worth the extra cost to get a great foam roller rather than an okay one. This is well made, great material, perfect size, and the exercises I'm doing with it are really helping. Highly recommend.

This is a game changer! Read the Melt Method book and apply technique using this roller. No more pain after shoveling snow and that lactic acid build up in muscles. Drink lots of water. Slept very well after snow shoveling and using this roller! Save money, not having to have a massage therapist.

softest roller!

Compré este rodillo de espuma para ejercicios suaves, estiramientos y recuperación muscular, y me ha gustado mucho. La densidad suave lo hace mucho más cómodo que otros rodillos más rígidos, especialmente para personas sensibles o que están empezando. Se siente de buena calidad, resistente y con buen tamaño para distintas zonas del cuerpo. Ayuda bastante para liberar tensión muscular, mejorar movilidad y complementar ejercicios de terapia o pilates. Llegó a tiempo, aunque el empaque era muy sencillo y venía rasgado de un extremo. Afortunadamente eso no afectó el uso del producto. En mi experiencia ha sido una buena compra y cumple muy bien su función.

The soft density really helped my wife gain access to foam rolling. She couldn't use the harder ones, which meant she couldn't do any foam rolling before she got this one. She also really enjoyed the length of this one as you can lay it along your spine in a stretch that opens up your chest which is very useful for posture problems.

I am a master's marathoner, and as the years tick by, my mobility and muscle stiffness are increasing. Lately, I've been considering whether I need to stop. I've never had good experiences with foam rollers, but I thought I would give this one a try. It is remarkable! Being slightly softer than most, it allows me to use it effectively. The size is perfect, and the quality is better than any I've ever used. Thank you.

Great for working out stubborn fascia and sore muscles

received and happy with it