When we work out or compete, our muscles get inflamed. When you work out, inflammation helps your tissues heal, but too much inflammation could cause more damage to your tissues.
Muscle pain could come from too much activity or competition over time (DOMS). It causes muscle weakness, pain, swelling, and a feeling of heaviness or “tiredness” in the affected area of the body. It can happen anywhere from 8 to 72 hours after heavy exercise. In a study on DOMS, sports massage was shown to reduce swelling and the number of damaged muscle fibers compared to controls that worked out but didn’t get a massage.
What time of day is best for a sports massage?
An animal study found that getting a massage right after hard eccentric exercise helps muscles heal and joints work better than getting a massage 48 hours later. Even though it was 48 hours late, sports massage was 82% better at helping muscles recover than no massage. Even if it’s not always possible, using a foam roller as soon as possible after a workout or competition will help you recover faster.
Athletes with DOMS may be too sore to get a massage right away. However, if they wait 48–72 hours after the event, they may be able to get a massage that is less painful and still helps them recover.
Endurance athletes frequently ask us when, other than after a hard workout, is the best time to get a sports massage. The best time to recover is immediately following a long run or a hard workout, or the day after, with a day of rest or low-intensity exercise.
Massage: Deeper Or Lighter?
Foam rollers have already been talked about. The inability to apply sufficient pressure to have a good massage for the hamstrings or calves is a common complaint among roller users.
A rabbit study found recovery was better when forces were stronger than 5N. This is interesting because it explains why foam rolling the quadriceps feels more effective than foam rolling the calves. Many people think massage sticks are better than calf rollers for self-massage because they put more pressure on the calf muscle.
When should you set up a meeting?
Aside from competitive sports, the most important thing to us is work, not how much or what kind of exercise we do. Physical stress isn’t caused by exercise, but the effects of mental stress at work are. This could change how we feel about pain and tiredness, making us more likely to get aches and pains. Massage can assist triathletes in experiencing less pain and more energy in the same way that it can help them sleep better and feel better about themselves. Massage can also make you feel better about yourself.
Just before the big game:
The period between four and seven days before the competition is ideal for receiving a sports massage from Sports Massage London. This time frame gives your massage therapist time to get deep into your muscles, relieve tension from pre-match preparation, and give your body time to recover from any pain from the massage before the event.
Instead of trying too hard and being sore on game day, you should focus on gently loosening up your stiff muscles.
As part of your event:
Our London Sports Massage booths are often set up during events, like in the locker room of a pro football game or on the sidelines of an amateur race. A quick sports massage can often help with pain or tension during an event. Lastly, this helps athletes get more out of their bodies to keep playing.
After everything has calmed down:
All athletes can benefit from getting our London Sports massage after an event. But it would help if you didn’t get a strong sports massage after a game. After a big event, your muscles may still be sore, tender, and swollen days later after a big event. Choose a massage that will help you calm down at this time.
The best time to get a sports massage is the first 24 hours after your event. Since the pain has gone away, your therapist will be able to work on your muscles more deeply to make them loose and flexible again.
If you are training hard for a big sports event, you should get a massage at least twice a month. Contact Sports Massage London for immediate services.
