Pre and Post Event Massage
What is pre event massage?
Benefits of pre event massage
Benefits of pre event massage
Pre event massage is undertaken before a workout, competition or sporting performance. This can be undertaken up to 48 hours prior to the event but is most beneficial as close to the event as possible. The aim of pre event massage is to increase blood circulation, flexibility and mentally prepare people for activity and enhance performance.
Pre event massage is a short and specific massage treatment. It aims to stretch and loosen the muscles at a fast pace in preparation for activity and optimum performance. Massage aims to raise the body temperature and increase cardiovascular activity. Blood circulation is increased to the muscles, which in turn reduces tension and allows them to relax.
An athlete can also use pre event massage for psychological benefits. Emotions related to sports participation can be anxiety, stress and fatigue. Pre event massage helps to relax an athlete and mentally prepare them for performance.
Benefits of pre event massage
Benefits of pre event massage
Benefits of pre event massage
- Mental preparation – helps to reduce stress, anxiety and fatigue and encourage relaxation
- Increased muscle flexibility – helps increase flexibility by increasing temperature, increasing tissue elasticity, removing waste products and restoring functionality to scar tissue
- Maximise performance – pre event massage can play an important role in an athlete's training and preparation for a competition or sports event
- Reduce the risk of injury – an increase in range of motion before exercise enables all muscles to move into their greatest length of flexibility, thus reducing the risk of injury
What is post event massage?
Post event massage is an effective and beneficial treatment for people to receive after strenuous training or competition as it can prevent and reduce the symptoms of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), which can occur within 24-48 hours after exercise.
DOMS is the result of microscopic tearing of muscle fibers. Tearing can be associated with inflammation in the muscle which produces pain. Post event massage uses a range of massage techniques to allow for a quicker recovery and a faster return to training without soreness or stiffness.
Benefits of post event massage
- Decrease pain and reduce delayed muscle onset soreness (DOMS) – exercise can cause chronically tight muscles and loss of flexibility. Lack of flexibility can link to muscle soreness and be prone to muscle pulls and tears. Blood flow is reduced through tight muscles resulting in inflammation and pain. Regular massage after exercise is effective in relieving and preventing these effects
- Improve recovery – helps improve recovery by increasing the repair of damaged cells in the muscles and flushing out waste products
- Reduce risk of injury – helps to prevent and reduce the chance of injury by flushing out waste products, relieving tightness and maintaining flexibility