Therapeutic massage for runners: what are the advantages?

One restoration software that has gained recognition amongst runners is therapeutic massage remedy. However do runners profit from common massages, and if there are advantages, are they purely well-being-oriented, or can therapeutic massage enhance working efficiency? We had been curious to discover the analysis; right here’s what we discovered. 

Analysis findings

A number of research have examined the results of therapeutic massage on athletes, together with runners, however outcomes have been combined. A 2011 research from the Journal of Bodily Remedy in Sport examined the effectiveness of a daily therapeutic massage program on novice runners over a 10-week coaching interval. The research measured working behaviour, muscle energy, leg ache, each day functioning and working confidence, and the outcomes confirmed that each the management group and the therapeutic massage group skilled related working behaviour and ache ranges, however all runners within the group that acquired massages accomplished a 10K race, in comparison with solely 58 per cent of the management group (who didn’t obtain massages). The research concluded that whereas common therapeutic massage remedy didn’t enhance muscle energy, ache notion, each day functioning or working confidence, the upper race completion charge within the therapeutic massage group suggests a possible, albeit unconfirmed, profit to working efficiency for novice runners.

One other research revealed in 2019 within the Journal of Physiotherapy aimed to guage the results of therapeutic massage remedy on ache, fatigue, temper and bodily efficiency in runners after routine working. The outcomes confirmed that the runners who acquired therapeutic massage remedy had considerably decrease ache scores than these within the management group, however there have been no important variations in fatigue, temper, flexibility, energy or leap efficiency between the 2 teams. The research concluded that therapeutic massage remedy successfully diminished ache depth within the quadriceps after working, however its affect on different measures was minimal.

One other 2004 research revealed within the Journal of Sports activities Science and Drugs decided that when runners acquired therapeutic massage remedy on one leg after a half-marathon, they didn’t expertise elevated muscle restoration by way of energy, swelling or soreness, however individuals perceived that the massaged leg felt higher upon restoration.

So does therapeutic massage remedy actually assist?

Primarily based on the present analysis, it seems therapeutic massage remedy doesn’t translate to any measurable efficiency advantages, however it does appear to trigger a lower in ache notion after a run. Having much less muscle ache or stiffness after a run might help runners prepare extra persistently, which in the end improves efficiency, so you can argue that therapeutic massage remedy has oblique efficiency advantages.

As with many forms of therapies, when you imagine that therapeutic massage remedy is benefiting you, chances are high that it’s. The relief and stress-reduction side also can positively affect your psychological well-being, which can assist you to get pleasure from your coaching extra. 

The underside line

The proof means that common therapeutic massage remedy can lower muscle ache and stiffness, however it gained’t essentially enhance your efficiency. Whereas private experiences and preferences differ, therapeutic massage remedy seems to be a doubtlessly priceless restoration software for a lot of runners. For those who’re contemplating therapeutic massage remedy, ensure to seek the advice of with an expert therapeutic massage therapist specializing in sports-related therapeutic massage, to make sure the remedy is tailor-made to your wants.