What Massage Does - Improves Your Running Performance

This Sunday is the ever-popular Vancouver Sun Run. Apparently there's a few things one must do to consider themselves a true Vancouverite, and participating in this event is one of such cornerstones that define one's right to call oneself a real, true local. I was born in BC, I've been a coastal resident for the past twelve years, and a Vancouver resident for the past four and I'm still far from being considered a Vancouverite as per the definition. I've only hiked the Grouse Grind once, don't own a single Lulu Lemon product, and have never even considered participating in the Sun Run. I do, however, know a thing or two about the applied anatomy of running injuries for those of you running your way to true Vancouverite status this weekend.

Talk to your RMT about supporting your training regime. Within a visit or two massage therapy can:

• Improve your breathing function by promoting muscle balance among your primary and secondary muscles of respiration.
• Alleviate low back pain caused by tight gluteal, hip flexor or quad muscles. Massage can help by releasing the problem muscles and by decompressing the spine.
• Speed the recovery of sore muscles by helping to rid lactic acid from tissues, promoting parasympathetic response, and the stimulating immune response.
• Prevent and treat muscle spasms through clearing metabolites from the tissues by increasing circulation.
• Decrease pain perception by stimulating the release of endorphins which also helps speed recovery from injury.
• Reduce inflammation and increases cellular function (Read this study about some poor athletes who were exercised to the point of exhaustion and then subjected to muscle biopsies of their thigh muscles with big syringes. The scientists discovered that massage does indeed speed recovery from exercise.) The CBC looked at how massage aids muscle healing in this article published last year. They found that massage helps relieve pain in damaged muscles by sending anti-inflammation messages to muscle cells.
• Treat orthopedic conditions including shin splints (unmistakable burning shin pain), iliotibial band syndrome (which can often be experienced as hip or knee pain), plantar fasciitis (severe stabbing pain felt on the sole of the foot, a type of tendonitis), achilles tendonitis (pain at the back of the ankle), piriformis syndrome (literally, a pain in the butt).

You can almost see the clinic from this view in Stanley Park.

Don't overlook the importance of adequate warm-up, cool-down, and stretching; all have equal importance in thorough training. Learn a simple warm-up stretch with one of the StayFitAnywhere trainers here.

Oceanside Wellness Centre is conveniently located near the edge of Stanley Park's beautiful running trails - at the intersection of Alberni & Denman streets. Stop in to book an appointment next time you run by.

Resident of Vancouver if not yet a Vancouverite,
Dana 



Image Sources
- http://www.2tomscanada.com/2012/08/14/what-to-do-when-you-think-you-might-have-a-running-injury/
- http://runners-h1gh.tumblr.com/