How Sports Massage Can Benefit You…

Sports massage is a popular treatment choice for runners due to the numerous benefits it can have on and off the pavement. 

Many of my patients and clients come in to me and say “what does sports massage help with” this article will talk you through the main benefits of sports massage for runners, when is best to get massages and finally the importance of warming up with dynamic stretches. 

Benefits of sports massage 

1) Relieving tightness/tension - this is probably the main reason that people first book an appointment for a sports massage. Training for a 10k, half marathon or a marathon is not easy, a lot of time and effort goes into putting in the miles. Over time your muscles will start to stiffen up, get tight or feel fatigued. Having sports massage helps with the flexibility of the muscles so they feel looser. When muscles are looser they are able to function more efficiently which should make them feel lighter and less tired. 

2) Reduces the risk of injury - when muscles are not as flexible as they would like to be, this is when your chances of sustaining an injury increases. Running is a high impact sport which requires good joint range of motion and muscle flexibly which go hand in hand. Sports massage helps to improve joint range of motion and muscle flexibility required for a successful running technique. 

3)  Reduction of inflammation and improves immune function - Science’s biggest discovery is what massage can do for athletic recovery. Studies published in the Journal of Athletic Training and the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that massage after exercise or a few day after can actually reduced the intensity of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)—that is, feeling of when your muscles feel sore a day or two after you exercise furthermore other research suggests that it improves immune function and reduces inflammation which means we recover faster and are able to train better. 

When is best to get a massage?

Maintenance massage - This type of massage is scheduled around your training plan. The aim is to work on specific elements and tissue structures which have become shortened, tight and painful. The idea behind this is to work as a team to get your mind and body ready for your end goal. Here at back to back we know that treatment cost can start to rack up, thats why we do a great offer if you purchase 3 massage then you get one for FREE.

Post event massage - I also suggest that if patients buy the sports massage offer that they save their free massage for after the run which will help to flush the through and to get them on the road to recovery. 

Dynamic stretching 

Before setting out for a run I think that it us really important to prepare your body for the activity you’re about to do. Active stretches such as heal kicks, jump squats, reverse lunges and finally getting good rotation in your thoracic spine and hips are a great way to warm up.

The aim of dynamic stretches

• Opens capillaries throughout your body (particularly the legs)

• Improves circulation and blood flow

• Lubricates joints, preparing them for more rigorous work

• Warms the muscles

• Improves range of motion, efficiency and coordination

As an Osteopath in Coulsdon we offer sports massage along with acupuncture if needed.