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Best time for a massage ?
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2006-08-16 10:08 PM

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Master
1924
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Denver
Subject: Best time for a massage ?
Wondering what those of you who "might" be a little wound up the night before a race might do ?

I am planning my Friday and Saturday schedule, with an "A" race happening on Saturday I expect it to be Freaky Friday


2006-08-16 10:16 PM
in reply to: #514157

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Champion
8936
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Subject: RE: Best time for a massage ?

You shouldn't get a massage immediately before a race or important training session.  Just like in a weight training session, some muscle and soft tissue damage is being done and needs time to be repaired. 

Save it for a few days after your race.

2006-08-16 10:23 PM
in reply to: #514168

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Master
1924
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Denver
Subject: RE: Best time for a massage ?
OOOOOOOOOOOH !! Good point Derek ! Thank you very much for reminding me of that.

A few days after? Ouch.

Edited by Z-dog 2006-08-16 10:24 PM
2006-08-17 7:32 AM
in reply to: #514157

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Expert
938
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Haddam, CT
Subject: RE: Best time for a massage ?
They say that the day of the race (post race) isn't good, b/c it damages muscles on a cellular level that are already a bit torn.  I've heard the day after or even two days after, to help flush lactic acid out, is really the best.
2006-08-17 7:38 AM
in reply to: #514157

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Master
1827
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Tampa, Fl
Subject: RE: Best time for a massage ?
I say the best time for a massage is whenever someone is offering a free one.
2006-08-17 7:42 AM
in reply to: #514157

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Runner
Subject: RE: Best time for a massage ?
I vote never. Never had one myself. I don't see the use, since I'm going to tighten back up afterwards anyways.

To wind down or relax the night before an event, I have a beer or two (maybe even three).


2006-08-17 8:04 AM
in reply to: #514157

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Champion
6962
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Atlanta, Ga
Subject: RE: Best time for a massage ?

If you're going to get a massage before an event, you can get a good stretching one for 30 min the days before.  Like 2 days before.  But just stretching.

Directly afterwards, you can get a flushing massage.  No damage done, just light stretching and flushing of the muscles.

A couple of days afterwards, you can get a deeper massage.

I am a HUGE believer in Deep tissue massage for resetting the muscles.  Scout7, yes, you do tighten up, but it's better to get them reset so you're back to a comfortable start instead of getting tighter and tighter. 

Just my 2 cents.  But I'm lucky because my wife is a NCMT.

2006-08-17 8:08 AM
in reply to: #514322

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Regular
53
2525
Cedar Rapids, IA
Subject: RE: Best time for a massage ?
Marvarnett - 2006-08-17 8:04 AM

But I'm lucky because my wife is a NCMT.

Speaking from direct experience, being married to a massage therapist results in far fewer massages than one would expect.. 

2006-08-17 8:39 AM
in reply to: #514157

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Expert
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St. Louis
Subject: RE: Best time for a massage ?

I just got a membership to a massage joint and I used it for the first time last week.  My tri was on Saturday, and I got the full-body massage on Thursday evening for 1 hour.  it was thorough and relaxing.  i ended up having my best race ever on Saturday.  i've never felt better during competition, and the results speak for themselves.

i am now a believer in massage therapy, and i will aim to get one once or twice a month.

~B

2006-08-17 8:46 AM
in reply to: #514157

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Regular
53
2525
Cedar Rapids, IA
Subject: RE: Best time for a massage ?

I think the question here is whether you want to get a full body swedish massage or a deep-tissue massage.  The cellular damage described here would be more typical of a deep-tissue massage aimed at really getting down into the muscles and correcting chronic stiffnesses and moving built-up lactic acid. 

A swedish massage - being more of a 'feel-good' massage - would perhaps be more suitable for a pre-race massage since they do not get deep into the muscles and are more geared toward relaxation - physical and mental.

If you are hardcore, get a swedish massage before the race and a deep-tissue afterwards.. wouldn't that be nice!!  If only I could drop $100+ for massages for every race..

2006-08-17 9:00 AM
in reply to: #514157

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Master
1457
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MidWest
Subject: RE: Best time for a massage ?
McFuzz competed in his first HIM the first weekend in August. I told him that after his race I would get him a massage. When we got back in town I set up a deep tissue massage albeit a week and half later He came out saying that that was the best massage he has had! we've done afew that are basic ones but he really liked this one. Said he'd do it again after another big race!!



2006-08-17 9:05 AM
in reply to: #514157

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Champion
7542
5000200050025
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Bronze member
Subject: RE: Best time for a massage ?
A relaxation massage before the race would be OK. Save the deep tissue/sports massage until afterwards. One thing the massage therapist warned about is you may feel a little off since all the gunk that was trapped in the muscles is now floating around on it's way out. (It can bring on some low-grade fever as your body fights off the contaminants.)
2006-08-17 9:17 AM
in reply to: #514408

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Runner
Subject: RE: Best time for a massage ?
McFuzz - 2006-08-17 10:05 AM
One thing the massage therapist warned about is you may feel a little off since all the gunk that was trapped in the muscles is now floating around on it's way out. (It can bring on some low-grade fever as your body fights off the contaminants.)


And you wonder why I don't get why people for this.....
2006-08-17 10:26 AM
in reply to: #514301

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Gainesville, Jacksonville FL
Subject: RE: Best time for a massage ?

I vote never. Never had one myself. I don't see the use, since I'm going to tighten back up afterwards anyways.

To wind down or relax the night before an event, I have a beer or two (maybe even three).
-----
It's not the heat, it's the stupidity.

Gotta try a little love and tenderness there Scout. Go Big Green!!

2006-08-17 10:41 AM
in reply to: #514327

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Champion
6962
500010005001001001001002525
Atlanta, Ga
Subject: RE: Best time for a massage ?

Speaking from direct experience, being married to a massage therapist results in far fewer massages than one would expect.. 

Preatching to the choir!!  I actually have to either put myself on her schedule or lay on the floor and moan really loudly.  Eventually she laughs at me and gives me a massage.

When I say that my wife is a massage therapist, I get the, "Oh...you're lucky".  Lucky that I don't have to pay.  :P

2006-08-17 10:52 AM
in reply to: #514322

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Coach
10487
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Boston, MA
Subject: RE: Best time for a massage ?
Marvarnett - 2006-08-17 8:04 AM

If you're going to get a massage before an event, you can get a good stretching one for 30 min the days before.  Like 2 days before.  But just stretching.

Directly afterwards, you can get a flushing massage.  No damage done, just light stretching and flushing of the muscles.

A couple of days afterwards, you can get a deeper massage.

I am a HUGE believer in Deep tissue massage for resetting the muscles.  Scout7, yes, you do tighten up, but it's better to get them reset so you're back to a comfortable start instead of getting tighter and tighter. 

Just my 2 cents.  But I'm lucky because my wife is a NCMT.

x2.

I've also heard/read about deep tissue massage not been the best after races or hard workouts, hence what I would normally do after is a thorough stretching session after EVERY session and/or race (I read it can improve the recover period by “x” hours)

However on my last Oly I cramped BAD on the last ¼ of a mile after an intense race on warm conditions. They had people giving free massages after the race and since my hammy was hurting quiet a lot due to the cramp and jump on the table and got a massage and the next day I felt like new! It wasn’t a deep massage tissue (I guess it what you called a flushing massage) which was more of an enhanced stretching session, but I was surprised how good I felt after such an intense race. I don’t get massages as often as I should but I don’t miss my stretching sessions and I try to use the roller foam to massage my legs and back every other day.



2006-08-17 11:53 AM
in reply to: #514157

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Champion
8766
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Evergreen, Colorado
Subject: RE: Best time for a massage ?

I've always been the "wait until two days or more after" type.  In other words, Sunday race, Tuesday or Wednesday massage.

HOWEVER...due to my LMT going out of town, this week it was Monday night after the Sunday race or never--so I did it.  I went in there pretty well unable to bend my knee or walk down stairs and barely able to push the clutch on my car (my knee flared up BAD during the race...see RR) and left 99% functional.  She just took it slightly easier than she normally would have.  That isn't saying much...she is good at torture!

So, day after the race seemed pretty good to me and I won't necessarily avoid it in the future!

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General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Best time for a massage ? Rss Feed