The benefits of massage

Should you make time for massage in your running programme?

Last week there was an article in the paper entitled Primary school gets 6-year-olds to massage each other daily. It went on to say that parents were angered by this. According to the article, most parents seemed concerned over the time it was taking in the timetable but the head teacher pointed out that studies had shown that when children massage each other they become calmer, concentrate better and have more confidence. Presumably this would mean that when the children were engaged in studies according to the curriculum their work rate would be faster and so make up for the time it takes for the massage session itself.

The article also mentioned one parents concern that "good honest sports" were being eroded at the expense of this which started me thinking about the benefits of massage to runners and, for those in the habit of getting a regular massage, whether you would choose a massage or a run if you didn't have time for both.

Sports massage

Massage can iron out any aches and pains and reduce your chance of injury and therefore, reduce the times that you are sidelined from running. So factoring massage into your weekly programme can ensure less time out and more time in but, even if you are unfortunate enough to become injured, massage can speed up the recovery so the time out is kept to a minimum. It also reduces the risk of reoccurence of the injury.

A good massage therapist will break up scar tissue that may have built up in your muscles, improve blood flow and so enhance supply of nutrients and oxygen, improve the flow of lymphatic fluid which aids healing, loosen muscles that have become tight and shortened, improve range of motion and muscle flexibility, shorten recovery time, so that you can run more often, and enhance elimination of lactic-acid - that's the stuff that builds up when you do speed work and makes you feel like you're running through treacle! When you consider these benefits it is obvious that the training sessions you do will be more productive. You will feel lighter, faster, more flexible and happier in your running.

So if it can do all of that surely it's worth finding that good massage therapist and booking yourself in once or twice a month even if it means missing a run every now and then. Those with an interest in running will often set themselves up at an event where you can get ten minutes of their time. You could look at this as try before you buy. If you are impressed, get their card and book yourself in at your earliest convenience. Word of mouth is also a good way of finding a credible masseur who is good with runners. Ask your running partners who they use.

Of course the children massaging each other in school are unlikely to be breaking up scar tissue and they won't be helping eliminate lactic acid but maybe there are physical benefits for children too. the head teacher spoke about the psychological benefits - the calming effect, and increased concentration and confidence - but many educationalist have long believed that massage has a positive effect on physical development as well. Maria Montessori was the first woman to receive a medical degree in Italy in 1894. She went on to teach and develop her "Montessori Method" of teaching. She believed that massage helped develop better motor skills and coordination and that saying or singing little ditties while playing with your baby's feet, hands, and so on were in fact a cultural type of massage that we have naturally performed for centuries. So perhaps we need to recognise the benefit of massage for all human beings and make time for it in the busy and high pressured world that we live in.