Sports massage

[vickster]

Does anyone have regular sports massage to complement cycling (recreational cyclists rather than you pro racing snakes ). A previous physio has suggested this to me once a month and with my additional leg and back issues, wondered if I should actually do it (albeit with trepidation as it bloody hurts from recent physio torture experiences)

Cheers

 

[Wafer]

Not regular and not for cycling but last year I had some issues with my neck/shoulders in the build up to the cricket season. Had 2/3 sports massages focussed around the area but she also did some work on my back/sides, sorted it right out. Nothing was painful, it was massaging the muscles, releasing tension etc... rather than manipulating body parts in weird ways!

 

[vickster]

It's the massaging of muscles and releasing the tension with me that always hurts quite a lot.

My real problem is the wound area on my leg that makes me go OUCH on a particularly rough bit of road or big pothole is still too tender to massage properly. I've had lots of ultrasound but I am just going to have to wait for the scarring to dissipate more and the pain to go with it (it should only be another 6-12 months I'm told )

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Sport massage isnt necessesarily hurtier. If you're looking after yourself anyway then a reasonably gentle rub down should suffice and may even be enjoyable.

Pain = tightness and an underlying cause at which point if you havent seen a therapist or your GP, it might be an idea

 

[vickster]

Been seeing physio, but private HC stopped paying and I wasn't seeing any particular benefits from the actual sessions. I have the healing wound on my leg and issues with the same knee, which led in turn to the SIJ pain when I started cycling again after the surgery (probably over did it).

There's nothing that needs surgical attention, but I'd like to try to alleviate some of the discomfort and speed up recovery.

What do you mean by 'looking after yourself'?

 

[w00hoo_kent]

I am friends with a massage therapist (not specifically sports) and see them every 4-5 weeks I find it just helps keep everything free and moving and it's also a mental thing as I've had a history of back problems following a motorbike RTA. It may cause discomfort at first if an injury is involved because your body will be doing all sorts of things to compensate for the damaged bit and that will be where they need to work first. It should aid recovery and make sure your in a better position when you come back to full health.

 

[Shadow]

In general, I would say that any massage can do nothing but good. Specifically, I think it would depend on your circumstances.

If you have a 'leg wound' that affects your posture, then other areas of your body are going to try to compensate the load. Massage (and/or physio/osteo/chiro treament) can help alleviate that. I have no medical training but years of experience from casual/sport injuries leads me to this conclusion.

I'd go for it! Keeping clear of the wound area.

edit: woohoo beat me to it by seconds; I think we are saying the same thing!

 

[vickster]

Thanks both. I'll give my physio a call and see what she says. I don't know if she does the sports massage herself (she has highly ouchy fingers for sure), but they certainly offer it at the hospital. All my notes are there so better to stick there (it's not too costly at £45 an hour either)

The wound itself is healed but I am left with lots of scar tissue (now matured as described delightfully by the surgeon) which filled the void left when the very large haematoma was evacuated

 

[ayceejay]

I think sports massage may not be what you are looking for as this goes deep into the muscles and can cause discomfort as a result. There are other types of massage that would be more suitable for your particular needs and I suggest you look for a non invasive style.

 

[vickster]

Last time I had a relaxing massage, my back went into spasm and was horrific so avoiding that. What do you suggest? Deep into the muscle to release tension is what I am looking for I think. Had plenty as part of the physio programme, seemed to help after a day or two

I'm not looking for whale music and essential oils

 

[ayceejay]

Maybe massage is not for you Vickster as I would have though a massage therapist could sort you out. Have you tried a roller or compression clothing as an alternative ?

 

[vickster]

I couldn't easily roll due to the leg incision and I can't see what compression clothing will do for knotty muscles?

I still don't follow. How is a sports massage radically different to what a 'massage therapist' would do, except more focused on certain problem areas (for me legs and SIJ)? Other than the ultrasound and acupuncture, much of what my physio did for 3 months was release massage focused on the ouchy bits (other than the actual lump on my leg, that is tender still to the lightest touch, think severe bruising)

This is what the physio department's website says ref sports and remedial massage

Benefits of massage
For Athletes:

• Performance Enhancement
• Pre-Event to Warm Up
• Post-Event to Cool Down
• Faster Recovery
• Support Muscle Repair
• Improve Flexibility
• Improve Circulation
• Alleviate Muscle Pain
• Aid Relaxation

For General Health:

• Enhance Immunity
• Aid Recovery from Surgery
• Reduce Spasms and Cramps
• Lessen Anxiety
• Greater Energy Levels

 

[Berties]

i have irregular sports massages,i was told by my physio who specialises in biomechanics,its like servicing a engine,prevention is the key and sorting out flexibility looking at problems and elevating them ,i burst into girlish giggles with the massaging,not exactly painful but always feel better after

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Been seeing physio, but private HC stopped paying and I wasn't seeing any particular benefits from the actual sessions. I have the healing wound on my leg and issues with the same knee, which led in turn to the SIJ pain when I started cycling again after the surgery (probably over did it).

There's nothing that needs surgical attention, but I'd like to try to alleviate some of the discomfort and speed up recovery.

What do you mean by 'looking after yourself'?

Warming up - Preparing the body for exercise

Cooling down - Essentially light spinning towards the end of rides.

Stretching - As low as possible(ie on the floor)

That kind of stuff

 

[vickster]

About half my stretching is on floor, half standing up, been given a whole range by my physio which I do mostly at gym but also at home after riding any distance. Also, because of my knee there are quite a lot of leg stretches I can't easily do on the floor as I can't kneel comfortably on it, nor twist it (I have a cartilage defect on the weight bearing femur and a couple of meniscus tears right now)

Warm up/cool down - I'm no speedy Gonzalez so I don't really have a warm up/flat out/cool down range - I tend to cycle at the same sorts of speeds all the time depending on terrain and more importantly traffic round here (and my home journey from almost anywhere is basically flat or downhill for the last 10 minutes so I'm never grinding along)