Toronto Massage is Beneficial for Runners for their Overall Health

In Toronto, people have a massage to unwind after a long week of hard work or simply as a way to spend leisure time. Massages are more than just that, however, as they also have benefits for athletes such as runners. Aside from coaches, doctors and nutritionists, it’s not unusual for runners to have a professional Toronto massage therapist on their team.

The main benefits of massage therapy for runners is that it reduces muscle pain and fatigue, improves blood circulation, reduces muscle soreness, shortens recovery time between workouts and promotes relaxation. The effects are cumulative, meaning that the benefits increase with each massage.

Running involves repeated muscle contractions that translate into speed, but it also means shortened, tight muscles and decreased circulation to compressed tissues. Massages work by elongating the muscles and improving circulation. On the other hand, when runners start a new training program or have just increased the intensity of their training, this entails an increased workload which results in muscle pain and fatigue. Having a massage will help reduce the muscle pain and fatigue to prevent damaged tissue.

This does not mean that runners should get a massage the day before or after a race. Having a massage before a race can leave the runner sore during the event, and a massage after is not good for the recovery process. This is why it is best to get a massage 2 or 3 days before the run or 2 days after.

Runners should set a regular schedule for their massages to get the most out of its benefits. The schedule should fit in the training plan and should consider long runs, races and any recurring injuries. These massage dates make good motivators and are something to look forward to after training sessions or races.

Running may seem like a simple enough sport on the surface, but in reality it makes use of a lot of muscles in the body. Having a massage therapy every now and then will ensure that the runner’s body is kept in good condition and to prevent any injuries. Athletes looking for a massage in Toronto downtown clinics should visit establishments such as Sage Health and Wellness Clinic Inc. With their help, runners will be on their way to an enriched running experience.

Sources:

The Powerful Benefits of Massage for Runners (and how to do self-massage on the cheap), Strength Running

4 Ways Massage Therapy Benefits Runners, Competitor, February 9, 2015