Sports Massage for running events – Is it right for me?

Sports Massage for running events – Is it right for me?

With the Manchester 10k fast approaching it is important to make sure you are fully prepared. Many amateur runners jump straight into training without considering the effects it is having on their bodies. 

Physical activity, in particular running can be extremely demanding on the body and cause a great deal of stress. This combined with day to day life can increase the negative effects the body encounters. 

The need to prepare properly for sporting and running events is the key to success. This will help to avoid overuse injuries associated with running. Overuse and over-training are the most common causes of injury and muscle imbalance in runners. When left untreated this can lead to more serious, chronic injuries and ultimately reduces athletic performance.  

During physical exercise the muscles undergo a series of contractions which produces a number of waste products such as lactic acid. These waste products inhibit performance and increase recovery times. 

The body can remove these waste products during the healing process by circulating blood to flush out the muscles. However this takes time and can often prevent further practice due to pain and reduced flexibility. Sports massage is a safe and effective method of speeding up this process. 

The demand for sports massage is increasingly important to aid success and prevent injury. Sports massage has several benefits that can be broken down into different categories. 

Sports massage not only has physical and physiological benefits but also psychological benefits for runners. General benefits of sports massage include: increasing sports performance, prevent injuries and inflexibility, maintains general health and reduces recovery time after injury.

More specific benefits include:

Physical benefits

Increased tissue permeability

Increased flexibility

Scar tissue realignment

Improved micro circulation

Physiological benefits

Inhibition of pain

Stimulates relaxation response

Psychological benefits

Reduces anxiety levels

Invigorates bodily response

The question you may be asking yourself now is ‘Is it for me?’ The answer is sports massage is suitable for runners of all levels and abilities. Even if you are not clocking up 100’s of miles a week, you will still benefit from a sports massage. Running technique requires the same muscle recruitment whether you are elite level or an amateur weekend runner and therefore you undergo the same physical stresses.