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5 ways that massage can benefit you as a runner

June 29, 2017

As a runner, it isn’t always easy to know how to maximise your performance and train effectively without the risk of injury. To help, one of our masseurs, Jon, has written this article explaining 5 ways in which Massage can benefit you.

1. Improved circulation

Through a variety of techniques, a massage therapist can stimulate your blood flow and increase your circulation, for instance as a pre-race warm-up.

2. Improved flexibility and reduced muscle tension

High muscle tension is common in muscles that are used regularly and overworked. Massage with deep techniques can reduce this tension and allow better relaxation, recovery and also improve the flexibility of muscle tissues. Restoring flexibility and keeping your muscles supple allows full movement for running – ensuring full stride length, and as a result, the maximum speed with lower effort!

3. Injury prevention

Muscles that get worked hard and aren’t looked after properly can become highly susceptible to injury. If a muscle stops working correctly, then others begin to take over and compensate. Prevention is ALWAYS better than cure, it takes less time, feels better, and allows you to keep going in the meantime. Regular maintenance keeps on top of muscle soreness and adhesions and can often highlight areas of tightness you didn’t even know were there!

4. Recovery

If the worst does happen and you have to stop running because of an injury, whether it’s a muscle strain, niggling pain or you just need recovery help after a hard session that’s left you sore then massage can help. Increasing the blood flow with a massage can help the recovery process.

5. Mental preparation

Last on the list, but not least, massage treatment is great for preparing psychologically as well as physically. Physical training stress can impact other areas of your life and sometimes it makes a huge difference to your day-to-day functioning, as well as race day preparations to take that time to relax, recover, and breathe. A massage can help you feel mentally prepared for a big race as much as your training gets you physically ready. At the very worst it will feel great!