Sports Massage Q&A

Can I have a massage if I'm injured?
Brand new sprains, bruises, open wounds and inflamed areas cannot be massaged. Other than the initial 72 hour period- after which swelling and pain begin to subside- then you can come in and have a sports massage to speed up your recovery time.

Can I exercise after a massage?
Best not to exercise after straight after a massage- it's a good idea to leave it 24 hours. The reason being you will probably feel sore for days after the work out as opposed to normal recovery time for your body. The only exception to this is if you are going to have a pre-event massage (which is specifically designed for maximum performance, flexibility and decreasing the risk of injury) but please do let your massage therapist if you are planning on doing any serious exercise afterwards so we can adjust your treatment.

How long should a sports massage take?
You should have a one hour massage to get the maximum benefits. If you want a shorter time you should only request a specific area to be worked on for example your legs- and even then it may not be as thorough as a treatment that you would normally get. An hour will allow us to warm up the muscles appropriately, have time to stretch and use more techniques to get longer lasting results.

I do a lot of running and have ended up with plantar fasciitis- will massage help?
For sure. You may have ended up with it because your calf muscles are too tight, you have been overusing your feet (pounding the pavement), and have tight hips or Tensor Fascia Latae. You need to release these muscles and whether you want to do it with stretching the calves and hips, massage or popping a golf ball or frozen water bottle under your foot to stretch out the tendons it's up to you. If you use a combination you will find it will heal a lot faster.

Will sports massage help me extend my sports career?
Yes it will. The biggest reason that your athletic ability diminishes is because of years of micro-trauma to the body and the build up of unresolved injuries. Sports Massage will break down these muscle adhesions, relieve tension, reduce stiffness, increase range of motion, increase circulation, stretch out tight muscles and reduce the muscular soreness after training. This means you can train harder and perform at your peak for many more years.

What is lactic acid build up and does sports massage help?
When you exercise you burn up the oxygen that is in your muscles which increases the production of lactic acid- a metabolic waste in the cells. It causes your muscles to feel fatigued and like they are burning. Sports Massage will help alleviate that burning sensation, increase the circulation which helps to eliminate the lactic acid more effectively and help reduce the recovery time after competing or training.

I've got a major event tomorrow- should I get a deep tissue massage before it?
No way! Deep work should only be carried out where necessary and can often leave you feeling sore for a few days afterwards which would interfere with your performance at a race or game. Having a pre-event sports massage is the way to go as this will prepare the muscles ready for action, boost circulation and increase flexibility.

To make an appointment either call us on 9284 2700 to arrange your massage treatment and start being more relaxed and pain free. Alternatively, contact us here and one of our therapists will call you back to discuss your individual requirements.