Training & Nutrition - Sports Massages

Do they make a world of difference to anyone who has ever gotten one? I'm thinking of ponying up the bones to get one. But just wanted to know first.

Do they make a world of difference to anyone who has ever gotten one? I'm thinking of ponying up the bones to get one. But just wanted to know first.

Oh yeah...

Go get rubbed, but make sure the person knows WTF they are doing. Most folks with a LMT sheepskin don't know how to give a proper, deep tissue leg rub.
I go every four weeks and it makes a world of difference. Just make sure you're close to a bathroom afterwards...

Oh yeah...

Go get rubbed, but make sure the person knows WTF they are doing. Most folks with a LMT sheepskin don't know how to give a proper, deep tissue leg rub.
I go every four weeks and it makes a world of difference. Just make sure you're close to a bathroom afterwards...


Could make for an unhappy ending (for most people)

Just make sure you're close to a bathroom afterwards...
You get the ones with the happy endings?

Anyways, thatnks for the advice, but why?

Sports massages are great. I wish I had the cash and the time to get them regularly.

All I can think of about the bathroom comment is that it's common that you have to pee after a massage, especially deep tissue work. Something about lymphatic draineage or eliminating toxins or something.

If you tend get sore after deep tissue work, a NSAID and drinking lots of water helps.

yes, they help.
drink lots and lots of water after.

oh ice baths work too, though they are not nearly as nice.

get the version w/ the happy ending.

I've had them and they are great. I highly recommend it...I need one soon in fact.

Sports massages are amazing for recovery if the therapist knows what they're doing. I have one every few weeks and try to schedule it after a workout so I can ride strong the following day.

hardly a training ride (or race) when I don't at least do a self-massage, post ride.
AS for professionally applied, I have one at least every 2 wks now. As much to deal with an upper body imbalance I have due to a serious injury 2 years ago. Working around those issues, a good massage really helps the day-to-day a bunch.
As for cycling sports oriented, I do try to use a masseur/seuse who understand working strongly used and trained muscle.
I try not to ask for serious deep tissue work too often. It really eats me up and takes a few days for good recovery. I'll usually plan 2 or 3 very light riding days after one.
A good sports massage a la swedish style will do wonders for helping to flush toxins without the concern for doing any muscle or vein damage.
Certainly even a decent self-application of a massage stick is worthwhile if self-massage puts you off, for whatever reasons. Muscles respond very well to manipulation, even better than taking ibuprofens or aspirin. And as everyone has noted, getting a bunch of water through the system before and after, really maximizes the benes.

As for cycling sports oriented, I do try to use a masseur/seuse who understand working strongly used and trained muscle.

Not to be a nitpicker, but anyone who is both qualified & experienced to do a cycling/sports oriented massage would most likely object to being referred to as a "Masseur" or "Masseuse".

They are "Massage Therapists". They prefer this designation in order to differentiate the quality, thoroughness, and safety of work they provide from the sort one might get on a cruise ship, at a resort, or in a seedy hotel by someone named Bambi.

Oh yeah...

Go get rubbed, but make sure the person knows WTF they are doing. Most folks with a LMT sheepskin don't know how to give a proper, deep tissue leg rub.
I go every four weeks and it makes a world of difference. Just make sure you're close to a bathroom afterwards...[

+1

You get the ones with the happy endings?

Anyways, thatnks for the advice, but why?

After you get rubbed, you will need to evacuate your bowels. Everytime I get rubbed, I have to go boom-boom right away. Sorry if this in indelicate, but it's true. It has something to do with the nerve endings in the legs.

i use massage after long events. else, self massage works too. and the stick. and yoga. used to take ice baths after marathons, but after cycling don't need them as much.

Not to be a nitpicker, but anyone who is both qualified & experienced to do a cycling/sports oriented massage would most likely object to being referred to as a "Masseur" or "Masseuse".

They are "Massage Therapists". They prefer this designation in order to differentiate the quality, thoroughness, and safety of work they provide from the sort one might get on a cruise ship, at a resort, or in a seedy hotel by someone named Bambi.

Actually all I ever see these days are "Massage Therapists", can't remember the last time I've ever seen 'Masseur' used anywhere, in print or otherwise - except my posts.
Occassionally I get stuck in an 'age' warp - like I still use 'Telephone' a lot... :o
scuze me while I go fix the tin foil on the rabbit ears...

I get one every month. Does wonders for me. In between I use the stick, the backnobber, and a foam roller. The foam roller being the greatest benefit to me.

once a month. having the same masseuse helps. mine can tell me things about knots in my body that have helped me tune bike fit over time.