You do not need to be a sports person to benefit from sports massage. The term describes a set of massage techniques that focus more on how your body works, rather than to only give you a general massage.
It aims to restore your body to better functionality, remove tension that you may have built up simply by sitting at the desk rather than running, or lifting weights.
Sports and remedial massage is a deep tissue massage technique. However, rather than only giving you a general deep tissue massage, a sports and remedial massage therapist will look at where your tension is and what kind of problems it may contribute to. It is a much more focused treatment than general deep tissue massage and has many potential benefits that go far beyond a general massage.
Its primary aim is to restore full functionality to muscles and other soft tissues. This can simply mean easing the tension that has built up in your shoulders over long hours in the office or restoring maximum performance to an overtrained muscle-group of an athlete.
The treatment will sometimes be complemented by exercise instructions, like recommendations for certain stretches that benefit your personal habits, be they sports-based or not.
Sports massage is a very varied and sophisticated treatment that can help treat soft tissue injuries, maintain a healthy body and prevent injury.
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Treats injuries and tightness. This treatment is ideal at any time during your training up to one week before the competition. The last week before the run is required to give the body time to recover, so the only useful massage in that time is the light pre-competition massage (see below).
The duration of the session depends on the issues to be dealt with. A simple case of scar tissue in the vastus medialis leading to knee pain, for example, can sometimes be successfully resolved in a single 30 minute session, while a case of plantar fasciitis may require a series of 60 minute sessions, for example.
For the first 24-36 hours after a deep massage, you should not subject your muscles to intense training. The tissue needs time to “implement” the benefits of the massage. Going back to full training within that period is likely to cause inflammation. You should also ensure that you drink enough water to help your body flush out waste products.
A general massage which improves circulation throughout the soft tissues and generally loosens up the muscles. It is particularly useful in the last few days before the competition. A 30-minute session is enough for the whole body, but 60 minutes is a more luxurious and thorough option.
Uses the same approach as pre-competition massage. It can greatly support and speed up recovery after the marathon and is ideal in the first day after the race. 30 or 60 minutes are good choices.
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