Turtlegirl, you really have to committ yourself to sticking with it until you find two things - a massage therapist that you are comfortable with, and finding what type of body work suits your needs.
To accomplish both of those goals you can go through quite a few different therapists. In my quest to settle those two goals I bet I’ve had a dozen and a half different massage therapists and have only found two.
Way too many, IMO, “therapists” think that you need to be in pain for a massage to work. I tell them that if I hurt from the massage the next day they will never see me again. I hurt enough from training. Massage is, for me anyway, about recovery, not hurting.
Not all body workers will be trained in the types of work you need as an athlete. There are the “fluff and buff” massagers who just do the liberally coating with oil and running their hands on your body - worthless for sports relief, but great for touch starved people. Then there are those who specialize in athletes, but sometimes they’re the worst offenders of “no pain, no gain”. Every now and then you’ll find one who brings with them the knowledge and experience that helps you get what you need out of your time with them. Hang on to them when you find them.
I fear that many athletes cough up the money for their first massage and then wind up with someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing, and never reschedule another one anywhere. Finding the right massage therapist is tough, but well worth the effort. Don’t give up till you find that, no matter how long it takes.
Here is a good starting point for finding someone who knows what they’re doing…
http://www.amtamassage.org/
I currently have a few injuries but man-O-man, today’s massage was so painful that I could barely breathe while she was working out one of the 20-some odd ‘knots’ in my quads.
Dave from VA
Is there a “type” of massage you should look for? There are about 1400 types of alternate therapies from rock massages to sport’s massage and everything in between.
Well, I’m just looking for a massage the will help with my injury (IT-Band, Quad).
Dave from VA
I didn’t realize that I was supposed to tip; now I feel like such an idiot. I guess 15-20%, right? Boy, these massages are going to be expensive but I’m desperate and vulnerable. At this point if someone can guarantee relief, I’ll pay just about anything.Dave from VA
I didn’t realize that I was supposed to tip; now I feel like such an idiot. I guess 15-20%, right? Boy, these massages are going to be expensive but I’m desperate and vulnerable. At this point if someone can guarantee relief, I’ll pay just about anything.Dave from VA
Massage therapy was the single biggest reason I recovered from my numerous IT band injuries. Fixing my gait is what prevents it from recurring.
I agree that the massage should not be painful. It may take a while to find the right therapist, but it is worthwhile. Maybe a little pain when you are getting a specific injury worked on is OK but a lot of pain and being sore all over afterwards is just too much, you are defeating the purpose. I don’t go very often due to the expense, but I have found someone who understands sports and knows what I want, so the money is well spent. I may try that chiro angle to see if that will work for me! CST