“Is it more beneficial to receive a massage before or after placing athletic demands on my body?”
Before-
Massage before an event (marathon, triathlon, training etc.) is extremely beneficial for an athlete. It provides an opportunity to “flush out” muscle tissue, thereby eliminating any residual lactic acid or other metabolic waste. It also can increase or maintain the range of motion in the joints, so the athlete can perform to their optimal ability. The therapy should be performed approximately two to three days before the athlete intends to compete. The therapy is not “deep” work, but rather, focuses on increasing the blood supply to the musculature and the joints.
After-
After an athlete has competed, especially in contact or endurance-based events, often time there is substantial “soreness” present in the musculature. This is due to lactic acid which builds up during the event, and becomes “trapped” in the muscles. The focus of the massage is very different than a massage given before an event. The work of the therapist can be deeper, and more specific to select muscle groups. In 1995, when I ran my first New York City Marathon, I got a massage two days after the race. The following day, I could not believe how much better I felt. The soreness had all but dissipated!
In either case, massage is very beneficial for optimal performance and recovery of an athlete. Thoughts?
