I had a check in with my physio today, as I recover from my upper hamstring injury. I am now back running 5K but not completely better and still feeling some tightness in my hip/glute area.
My physio has suggested I have a sports massage, to see if some of this residual tightness can be released. She has recommended a colleague of hers - apparently a runner herself and has also been a Team GB Triathlete!🏊♀️🚴♀️🏃♀️ I hope she’s as good as she sounds (have booked in to see her next Wednesday) but I just wondered what the experiences of folk on here are with Sports Massage? What to expect, did it hurt (I’m told it can…in a good way!🤣😉) and most importantly- did it help?🙏🤞🙂
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Sandraj39
Half Marathon
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I had a few problems with aches and pains, sciatica etc in September and had a sports massage twice before doing the Great South Run. The first one cleared the sciatica but revealed tight hamstrings and piriformis. The second one concentrated on piriformis, glutes and legs, I am sure it helped, and I’m having a post race massage tomorrow, It’s certainly a deep massage rather than a relaxation that you’d get in a spa.
I would certainly recommend giving it a try Sandraj39 .
I used to have these regularly pre covid,they're expensive but definitely help me as I tend to get tight calves and IT band . Didn't go for 2 or so years but got back into going recently. Yes they are ouchy and I have been know to swear a bit(!!!!) but overall I would say definitely of benefit! Hope your one goes well xxx 😘
I try to have a monthly sports massage and I find they help me a lot. My back holds a lot of tension and so a regular deep tissue massage keeps it feeling good.
But for calves, hamstrings and glutes it’s a great idea for any runner as it increases the blood flow and gets rid of any tight spots. Your therapist will find those tight spots quickly!
I once had a niggle in my lower back and couldn’t get rid of it but my therapist found the knot in my glutes that instantly released the niggle! It was magic.
I’ve had a few different therapists and some are better than others. The very first one I had hurt a lot and left bruises 😫 but I had no benchmark then and thought that was normal (it’s not) and a few have been so light that I knew they weren’t getting in there, if you know what I mean. A good therapist will ask you if the pressure suits you so don’t be hesitant about telling them if you want it lighter or harder.
A good sports massage will get rid of various niggles but it is not relaxing and can be a bit ouchy but, as you say, in a good way. It’s definitely worth it.
You’ll feel so much more flexible afterwards and any tight spots will have gone. You’ll probably sleep well at night too!
I’ve never had one, and I’ve only ever had one non-sports massage. I’m beyond ticklish and almost had to ask her to stop. 😅
Mr Cheeky has had several, as having been a rower for decades, he tends to get back issues. Apparently they’ve been known to bring tears to his eyes, but they definitely help. He said he’d never take on his sports massage lady in a fight. He wouldn’t win! 😳😅
I had a few and they were awful. Absolutely awful. The main purpose was to loosen everything up around my IT band so I could walk and run without pain, and they really did help with that. They weren’t intended to be a long term solution and my lovely physio let me decide if I thought I needed one or not when I saw him. If I wasn’t tight, he said there was no benefit, and there wasn’t good evidence for long term benefit for my type of injury.
Be prepared. They can be very uncomfortable but it might be worth it! If your physio has recommended it, I’d grit my teeth and give it a try!
I have had lots of physio! Mainly it has been specific to an injury; usually calves/ peroneal muscles on the outside of my calves, but I have had sports massages too, either as a one off or using up time at the end of injury treatment. I always end up feeling better- looser really. I think the trigger point therapy really helps….locating tight spots that have escaped my rolling and massage ball and dealing with them before they develop into anything which might stop me running. Dealing with the very tight spots can be eye watering sometimes ….but leaving them alone really doesn’t work. So I have learned to bite my lip! In your case it may just be a question of generally slacking off, which is relaxing, and there may be no horrors lurking. Either way, I would definitely say go for it.
Yes, and yes… Yours shouldn’t be so painful as it’s a nice meaty area (for want of a better description 😂). I have to get sports massages in my calves every so often and they make me cry! It might also be useful to get acupuncture and maybe a regular deep tissue massage to keep everything ticking over - mine definitely help.
I try to get a sports massage regularly. I think it really helps keep things loosened up and I'm sure it heads off some injuries. Some parts are pretty uncomfortable - but those are the bits that doing some good so I grit my teeth and try not to squeal 😍 Hope it gives you some relief,
Hi Sandra I get a sports massage once a month, as an older runner (52) I find it really helps to keep my muscle's flexible and reduces stiffness. It also helps to identify potential issues as the physio will reach part's of your muscles you didn't know existed! Don't be surprised if you feel like you've been on a long run after your massage and take it easy afterwards as your muscles will be softer and ensure you are well hydrated 🙂
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