Foam rolling is a self-myofascial release (SMR) technique. It can help relieve muscle tightness, soreness, and inflammation, and increase your joint range of motion. Foam rolling can be an effective tool to add to your warm-up or cooldown, before and after exercise. Foam rolling is one activity that may alleviate DOMS, but it actually has a wider range of benefits.
It targets the muscles and fascia (the tissue that connects your muscles and helps hold them, and the rest of your body, in place) and may help to free up tension, stiffness or soft tissue restrictions which will have a positive effect on how your body feels.
It might help to think of foam rolling as a way to massage your body — it’s also called self-myofascial release — giving you similar tension and muscular relief.