Pre/Post Sports Massage or In-Between Sporting Events?

If you have passion for sport and athletic performance, Sports massage is one of the key ingredients in a formula for success!  With increased training comes increased muscle soreness and healing requirement to build stronger and perform better.  When you put your body through rigorous increases in loading, your natural biomechanics are tested… any niggles from weaknesses or compensations can turn into injury without early treatment.. and that can mean a very depressing period of rest to recover properly (trust me – I’ve been there!)  If you keep on top of these things though, there is no need to worry!

Between events, sports massage can assist in stretching out tight muscles,  relaxing overused muscles, increasing joint flexibility and correcting any postural imbalances.  It can prevent the onset of injury by keeping everything in tip top condition.   If you have an important event coming up and you are feeling very ‘heavy’ with training and need a ‘flush and focus’ massage (call it a treat to yourself for all that hard work put in), then a massage is one of the final preparations which you would certainly not regret.

A quick massage immediately before an event can assist the warm-up routine (but not replace!)  It can allow some mental relaxation and focus before the event and can warm-up the primary muscles involved.  It is certainly not as beneficial as a deep tissue massage but it is certainly a great way to prepare.  Post-event is probably more common and more beneficial.. it can speed up the recovery process by flushing out toxins and waste products.  You will be back in the saddle in no time at all, preparing for your next goal!

Keep an eye on this page to find out about events where I will be setting up the massage couch!  I have already massaged at Leamington Park Run, the Moreton Morrell events, the Snitterfield Snipe race and the Experian Robin Hood races.  You will probably find me racing through the Winter at various Cross-Country events with Kenilworth Runners, so please come and see me and organise your post-race massage with me at the Clinic!

Below is a picture taken of the Level 5 Sports Massage team from Loughborough at the Robin Hood Event 2011 (I am back left).