Therapeutic massage and sports massage are becoming more popular with runners.

Physicians are increasingly prescribing therapeutic massage to complement traditional medical treatment for illness and injuries. Therapeutic massage involves manipulation of the soft tissue structures of the body. It soothes, calms and aids in stress reduction; and it may also improve the rate at which the body recovers from injury and illness.

I integrate several techniques when working with runners.

Swedish Massage is the base-

Muscle-specific applications of the standard effleurage, petrissage and vibration techniques.



Cross-Fiber Massage

A friction technique applied to a specific area to create a stretching and broadening effect in muscle groups, or on a site-specific muscle and connective tissue to reduce adhesions.



Trigger Point Massage

This technique involves positioning specific finger or thumb pressure on a trigger point in the muscle and connective tissue to reduce muscle spasms. If left untreated, such trigger points often lead to restricted and painful movement of body parts.



There are three areas of sports massage that may be utilized by runners.



Maintenance Massage

An effective training program is based on the regular massage. My clients have a great advantage to their bodywork sessions and the benefits of massage are immediate because of my knowledge and understanding of anatomy and kinesiology, combined with an expert knowledge of which muscles are used in running and which are likely candidates for trouble.



The overall objective of a massage maintenance program is to help the athlete reach optimal performance through injury-free training.



Pre-Event Massage

Pre-event massage is used as a supplement to an athlete's warm-up to enhance circulation and reduce excess muscle and mental tension prior to competition. It also improves tissue pliability, readying the athlete for top performance.



Post-Event Massage

Post-event massage is geared toward reducing the muscle spasms and metabolic build-up that occur with vigorous exercise. Many sports massage techniques enhance the body's own recovery process, improving the athlete's return to training and competition, and reducing the risk of injury.



The key to getting a massage is not to wait until (A) you're injured or (B) you've just run a hard race, like a marathon. MASSAGE SHOULD BE A REGULAR PART OF YOUR TRAINING SCHEDULE. But why should you do that in the first place? Here are ten great reasons:

Massage will:

1. Break up scar tissue that may have built up in your muscles.

2. Improve blood flow to your muscles.

3. Loosen muscles that have contracted (shortened) with continued use.

4. Allow more oxygen to move into your muscles.

5. Improve the flow of lymphatic fluid, which aids in healing.

6. Reduce the chance of injury, through proper stretching, race preparation and through deep tissue massage.

7. Improve range of motion and muscle flexibility, resulting in improved power and performance.

8. Shorten recovery time between workouts.

9. Maximize the supply of nutrients and oxygen through increased blood flow.

10. Enhance elimination of lactic-acid build up (a by-product of exercise).


Julia I. Tabarez, CMT

http://www.facebook.com/TherapyHandsJulia