If you are taking part in the Great North Run, you need to have pre and post-race sports massages. The health benefits of massage are widely known, but people that exercise or take part in sports rarely get a sports massage.
A pre-race sports massage will cleanse and detox the muscles, giving them an ‘oil change’, while simultaneously invigorating the muscles by introducing fresh, oxygenated blood into the area, producing increased circulation. It will also increase flexibility and strength, in addition to attending to any existing muscle weaknesses. This gets the muscles fired-up and in optimum condition, preparing them in the best way possible for the race ahead, reducing the risk of injury and giving you a greater chance of crossing the line or getting a better time.
A post-race sports massage will also cleanse and detox the muscles, but is aimed at relaxing the muscles, reducing the risk of cramp and DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness), while at the same time introducing fresh, oxygenated blood into the area, to maintain good circulation. It will also accelerate recovery, attending to any strains sustained during the race by maintaining the length of the muscle fibres and subsequently, muscle flexibility.
For those of you that exercise regularly, I would recommend having a sports massage at least monthly, to keep your muscles in optimum condition and prevent strains or injuries from happening, rather than attending to them afterwards.
For those of you that are looking for a course of pre and post-event sports massages, I would recommend once-a-week, no less than four weeks prior to an event and then twice in the week following an event.
