When Should You Have Massage?

If you are training or have some tightness or have some tenderness in a specific muscle. Most people find scheduling appointments on the lighter training days more beneficial. This is mainly because it enables the therapist to treat any specific muscular tightness allowing a couple of day’s recovery before the long training session on Sundays.

Alternatively some athletes enjoy having the massage following their longer training session to allow them to maximize their training performances throughout the week.

It is suggested that whilst people are training for events such as a triathlon, half or full marathon they receive weekly massages. It is especially important to have massage towards the build up to the longer training weeks, usually programmed about 4-6 weeks prior to the marathon or event. It is wise a few days before the event to have a massage to loosen up the muscles and relax the athlete as part of the final week preparations for the event.

Post Event Massage

Sports Massage is also great after a big event .It is more valuable to receive massage as soon as possible following the event. As this helps to improve the recovery rate and reduces the intensity of delayed muscle soreness (DOMS) experienced 1-3 days post marathon or event. Main aim is to get you back out training or competing as soon as possible.

The style of massage is different from those received before the event or in other treatment sessions as it is geared at aiding the lymphatic system in its attempt at waste removal and recovery. Therefore, the massage techniques are applied more gently and fluently. As micro damage to the muscle tissue occurs during longer runs and the marathon the massage will be lighter also.