Why have a massage straight after an event?

You've all seen sports massage therapists at big events. But why are they there and what do they do? 

 

Put simply, fast recovery is the primary purpose of a post-event massage. 

 

Massage immediately after an event can make a real difference in how stiff your legs become later, preventing DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness). 

 

We are looking to flush through fresh blood to help the muscles recover, whilst breaking down the lactic acid to speed recovery. It will assist a pain free recovery and return you to training quicker, with minimal soreness, inflammation and stiffness. 

 

The therapists use a lighter pressure than usual and the massages are short in duration - 10 minutes or so - as we want to avoid aggravating any muscle damage sustained during the race. Post-event massage can also identify injuries that may have occurred during the event, so they can be treated promptly. 

 

It is advisable to wait at least 48 hours after your race before having a full deep tissue sports massage. This will give any soreness time to ease and injuries to settle so they can be assessed properly by the therapist. 

 

Not booked your post-race appointment yet? Contact us!