Stretching, foam roller or stick?

Stretching has been one of the biggest questions, before, after or both? Should I use a foam roller or stick? For many years everyone said that we should stretch (static stretch) before and after every workout. However, in the last few years, all I have read says: "dynamic streching before, and static streching after". There are so many benefits to stretching: better flexibility, circulation, posture, injury prevention.........

For us who can't afford to get a massage every week, a foam roller, or a stick, is a good alternative. The foam roller is great for the hard to stretch areas such as the IT band (along the outside of your upper leg area), but can also be used for many other areas. It works as a deep tissue massage, and having said that, be careful with the amount of pressure you put on it. If you put too much pressure, you might get bruised. Any time you feel pain, the muscle fights back by tensing up. If the muscle tenses up for too long, you might get sore just like how you get sore from a workout. I have used the the foam roller and the stick for years, and they really work. I use them to complement my regular stretching when needed. Here is a link to a good article: http://www.performbetter.com/catalog/matriarch/OnePiecePage.asp_Q_PageID_E_225_A_PageName_E_Boylefoamrollers.

Stretching is important, and foam rollers and sticks are great tools to make it easier for some hard to stretch areas. You can find them at most yoga stores and sporting goods stores.