I can justify paying for 2 massages a month OR a cryotherapy membership which will allow me to get treatment 3 times a week.
In the middle of IMTX training and plan to race several 70.3’s this year. Which is a better benefit for the money assuming I am only willing to pay for 1 of the 2 services?
I’m 46 so recovery is always a concern for me.
Thank you.
Michael
Buy a nicer bed, more comfy resting chair or something nice to your spouse, so they can increase their social support in your training. These are much more powerful recovery strategies.
Nobody needs these fads. Recovery is done by eating protein and carb post workout, sleeping an extra hour per day and having social support, thus reducing life stressors.
Massage.
Massage
.
Agreed! Read the title and the first thing that came to mind was “neither”. My wife is my support crew so we spent some extra money getting her an Osprey bag that has every feature a spectator could possibly want. Maybe buy a foam roller and take a nap but thats a whole lot cheaper then either of those options.
Neither helps with recovery. But if it makes you feel good and you want to workout more, then it’s tossup.
Neither helps with recovery. But if it makes you feel good and you want to workout more, then it’s tossup.
Do massages help with injury prevention? Besides feeling good, what’s the benefit of massages then?
What about physio? A good sports physio is worth their weight in gold!!
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=pt-PT&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=massage+recovery
Bonus:
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=pt-PT&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=Foam+roller+recovery
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Massage 2x a month is overkill, unless you are a pro. I’d get some recovery boots and use the foam roller everyday. Maybe get a massage for the hard to reach places 1x a month.
Massage doesn’t prevent injuries. I don’t know how of literature that is a strong proponent of massage in recovery or prevention. Post workout massages actually inflict more tissue damage.
The usefulness is people like them. For some it feels good to be touched and rubbed like that. The workout benefits are not likely there however.
Massage doesn’t prevent injuries. I don’t know how of literature that is a strong proponent of massage in recovery or prevention. Post workout massages actually inflict more tissue damage.
The usefulness is people like them. For some it feels good to be touched and rubbed like that. The workout benefits are not likely there however.
Post workout massages can inflict more damage on tissue. So do most other methods of injury prevention/recovery(foam rolling, stretching, yoga, weight training, etc.)? Massage will also increase blood flow to the areas being massaged and help aid the healing process. And just like most other forms of injury prevention, message will also keep the tendons (or muscles around your tendons) pliable, which prevents injury…
Do massages help with injury prevention? Besides feeling good, what’s the benefit of massages then?
I have a massage around once a month when I’m training regularly. If you expect it to feel good you’re in for a surprise.
I feel much better a few days later and have less calf cramps in the following weeks. I’ll acknowledge it could well be a placebo effect.
I can justify paying for 2 massages a month OR a cryotherapy membership which will allow me to get treatment 3 times a week.
In the middle of IMTX training and plan to race several 70.3’s this year. Which is a better benefit for the money assuming I am only willing to pay for 1 of the 2 services?
I’m 46 so recovery is always a concern for me.
Thank you.
Michael
Good athletic massage isn’t so much about recovery as it is more about fixing structural issues but you have to get a really good massage person that works with athletes and those are harder to fine. I wouldn’t waste time on cryo. If you want a flushing, what I assume is what you mean by “massage” then I would rather have a pair of recovery boots if it wasn’t obvious enough.
Maybe a massage on the last day before a rest period. Find a good therapist is hard. I have had a couple of great massages and a bunch of mediocre ones that didn’t really seem to help much.
Recovery boots will make you feel better and the Normatec’s are great if you can afford them.
If you are otherwise healthy why are you trying to prevent injuries with unproven methods? Do you know that what you are doing is actually preventing any specific injury? It feels like voodoo. There isn’t good reason for any of those techniques or modalities in a non-pathological state.
If you are otherwise healthy why are you trying to prevent injuries with unproven methods? Do you know that what you are doing is actually preventing any specific injury? It feels like voodoo. There isn’t good reason for any of those techniques or modalities in a non-pathological state.
My PT recommended that I get monthly massages (not from her). She treated me when I was hit by a car while cycling.
She doesn’t believe in cryotherapy but is a proponent of massages.
For the record she is an endurance athlete.
If you are otherwise healthy why are you trying to prevent injuries with unproven methods? Do you know that what you are doing is actually preventing any specific injury? It feels like voodoo. There isn’t good reason for any of those techniques or modalities in a non-pathological state.
Actually, I already named some very specific benefits of massage that you should consider good reasons in my last post… If you don’t think those are good enough, well then I suppose all massage supporters are just basing there opinions on anecdotal evidence. From your language and POV, I am very suspicious that you have ever had a message, at least for sports therapy purposes.
Voodoo? Instead I would compare it to a car tune up or a dental cleaning. I don’t have any cavities or toothaches, but I still go to the dentist twice a year. Maintenance for your body.
Also, with regards to a triathletes body, when are you ever really “otherwise healthy”. If you don’t have occasion (if not persistent) niggles, aches, etc, then I am not entirely convinced you are an endurance athlete. Or, somehow you are the best endurance athlete ever.
Do you have research that supports those benefits?
Your suspicions are notoriously incorrect. I’m a physical therapist, board certified in orthopedics and spine specialist. I’m well versed in research and understand the benefits, risks, indications and contraindications of any procedure. There isn’t the research to support your claims regarding massage. Comparing it to dental cleanings is far different. As an example, insurance companies generally understand common research out there (albeit at differing levels) and pay for those things that are well supported. Dental cleanings are proven to prevent gum disease and tooth decay. Massage cannot make any comparative claims to preventing injury.
Per your suspicions of me not being an athlete… I’ll be 40 soon. I’m a swimmer since childhood through to being moderately competitive at the college level. Been riding for 20 years and I’ve been a half-distance triathlete for the last 3 years finishing in the top 15-20% at my races. I’ve had pain and issues along the way and attended to them so they resolve. I surely don’t have constant or consistent issues. Most of the time I feel fine and don’t need to stretch, roll, massage, ice or otherwise as prevention. It’s just not necessary.