GOOD QUALITY DEEP tissue sports massages won’t come cheap and consider if you were to get one €45, 60-minute massage for six months you’ll be forking out in excess of €1,300.
But if they were the difference between making — or not — a qualifying time for a major event, beating — or not — a personal best, or having you in the best shape you could possibly be in, would you pay it?
Considering that deep tissue massage is one of the best ways to recover from intense training or competition, and if that recovery — as we’re often led to believe — is as important as what we do on the pitch, or in the gym, then the answer should be a no-brainer.
Current research studies regarding perceived fatigue and recovery shows that subjects felt they were less fatigued and felt like they recovered faster after sports massage. Decreased anxiety, improved mood and well-being were also noted. Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) decreased by about 30% in one research study. Other studies support the finding that DOMS does decrease after sports massage.
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Little wonder Andrea O’Riordan, a Registered Physical Therapist, Osteo Manipulative Therapist and Sports Therapist at Physical Therapy Cork, holds massage in such high regard.
“Sports massage targets the deep tissue structure of the fascia and muscles, referred to as connective tissue. Of the many types of massage, deep tissue, focuses on the release of muscle tension and chronic knots (aka adhesions),” she explained.
“Massage can be used pre-performance, post-performance, during training or for rehabilitation. Athletes of all levels may benefit it and if you are looking for a way to improve your athletic performance, then sports massage may be for you.”
The benefits are both psychological and physiological and include;
Increased blood flow
Increased joint range of motion (ROM)
Increased flexibility
Increased elimination of exercise waste products (lactic acid)
Decreased neurological excitability (nerves more relaxed)
Decreased chance of injury
Decreased recovery time between workouts
Decreased muscle spasms
So how does it work and differ from foam rolling or other self-massage options?
“Deep tissue/sports massage can break up and eliminate scar tissue from previous injuries better and quicker than anything you’ll do on a foam roller. A common problem is that stressed muscles can block nutrients and oxygen from getting to where they need to go, and this will cause inflammation that allows toxins to build up in your muscle tissue. The inflammation and toxins contribute to pain and stress,” said O’Riordan.
“Deep Tissue Massage breaks up and releases the built-up toxins by loosening the muscles. With the toxins released, blood and oxygen can circulate as they should through one’s body,” she added.
Is there anything we should know or do before getting a massage?
“Yes, being properly hydrated before you go is key so drinking plenty of water before and after is highly recommended. There may be some soreness afterwards but that should go away within a day or two.”
What else can aid the healing process? “A good way to recover from a Deep Tissue Massage is by soaking in a warm bath with Epsom salts. This soaking is recommended because it will help get more of the toxins out of your body (Epsom salt draws the toxins out into the water). Your muscles need some rest after one of these massages, even if you feel no soreness. So do not plan any activities within a day of a Deep Tissue Massage.”
Are deep tissue massages worth the money?
GOOD QUALITY DEEP tissue sports massages won’t come cheap and consider if you were to get one €45, 60-minute massage for six months you’ll be forking out in excess of €1,300.
But if they were the difference between making — or not — a qualifying time for a major event, beating — or not — a personal best, or having you in the best shape you could possibly be in, would you pay it?
Considering that deep tissue massage is one of the best ways to recover from intense training or competition, and if that recovery — as we’re often led to believe — is as important as what we do on the pitch, or in the gym, then the answer should be a no-brainer.
Current research studies regarding perceived fatigue and recovery shows that subjects felt they were less fatigued and felt like they recovered faster after sports massage. Decreased anxiety, improved mood and well-being were also noted. Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) decreased by about 30% in one research study. Other studies support the finding that DOMS does decrease after sports massage.
Little wonder Andrea O’Riordan, a Registered Physical Therapist, Osteo Manipulative Therapist and Sports Therapist at Physical Therapy Cork, holds massage in such high regard.
“Sports massage targets the deep tissue structure of the fascia and muscles, referred to as connective tissue. Of the many types of massage, deep tissue, focuses on the release of muscle tension and chronic knots (aka adhesions),” she explained.
“Massage can be used pre-performance, post-performance, during training or for rehabilitation. Athletes of all levels may benefit it and if you are looking for a way to improve your athletic performance, then sports massage may be for you.”
The benefits are both psychological and physiological and include;
So how does it work and differ from foam rolling or other self-massage options?
“Deep Tissue Massage breaks up and releases the built-up toxins by loosening the muscles. With the toxins released, blood and oxygen can circulate as they should through one’s body,” she added.
Is there anything we should know or do before getting a massage?
“Yes, being properly hydrated before you go is key so drinking plenty of water before and after is highly recommended. There may be some soreness afterwards but that should go away within a day or two.”
What else can aid the healing process? “A good way to recover from a Deep Tissue Massage is by soaking in a warm bath with Epsom salts. This soaking is recommended because it will help get more of the toxins out of your body (Epsom salt draws the toxins out into the water). Your muscles need some rest after one of these massages, even if you feel no soreness. So do not plan any activities within a day of a Deep Tissue Massage.”
What do you think?
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