26/02/2025
Massage & Sport: Should You Get a Massage Before or After Exercise? Benefits, Risks, and Injury Prevention
Massage isnβt just for relaxationβitβs a powerful tool for muscle recovery and injury prevention. But when is the best time to get a massage: before or after exercise?
Letβs explore whether massage is better before or after workouts, the benefits and risks, and the most common sports injuries (and how to prevent them).
When is the Best Time for a Massage β Before or After Exercise?
β
Post-Workout Massage (The Best Choice!)
πΉ Relaxes muscles and relieves tension β After intense workouts, muscles remain tight and shortened. Massage helps them relax and recover.
πΉ Flushes out lactic acid β This reduces soreness and prevents that dreaded next-day muscle stiffness.
πΉ Reduces inflammation and swelling β Particularly beneficial after running, strength training, and jumping exercises.
πΉ Improves circulation β More oxygen and nutrients reach your muscles, speeding up healing and reducing recovery time.
πΉ Lowers the risk of injuries β Regular massage reduces muscle spasms and joint strain, preventing strains and tendonitis.
π‘ Conclusion: A post-workout massage is the best option for recovery, relaxation, and injury prevention.
β Pre-Workout Massage (Not Always a Good Idea!)
Some believe that a massage before a workout warms up the muscles, but in reality, it can do more harm than good.
π« Why Can a Pre-Workout Massage Be Harmful?
Over-relaxes the muscles β This reduces their strength and responsiveness, increasing the risk of injury.
Slows down the nervous system β Your muscles feel looser, making explosive movements (like jumping, sprinting, or lifting heavy weights) harder.
Can weaken coordination β A deep massage before training reduces sensory feedback, meaning your muscles react slower.
Increases the risk of strains β Relaxed muscles are less stable, making sudden movements more dangerous.
π‘ Conclusion: A deep massage before exercise is not recommended, as it may reduce performance and increase injury risk. However, a light, dynamic massage (quick strokes and gentle rubbing) can help improve circulation before a workout.
What Sports Injuries Can Occur and What Causes Them?
Without proper preparation, your muscles, joints, and tendons are at risk of excessive strain, leading to injury.
π₯ 1. Muscle Strain (Pulled Muscle)
What is it? A tear in the muscle fibres due to overstretching.
Causes:
β Sudden movements without warming up
β Overworking muscles without proper recovery
β Poor exercise technique
Symptoms: Sudden pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the affected muscle.
𦡠2. Ligament Sprain (e.g. Ankle or Knee Sprain)
What is it? Damage or partial tearing of a ligament.
Causes:
β Incorrect foot placement
β Twisting the ankle on uneven ground
β Sudden changes in direction
Symptoms: Pain, swelling, and joint instability.
πββοΈ 3. Achilles Tendon Overuse Injury
What is it? Inflammation or small tears in the Achilles tendon due to repetitive strain.
Causes:
β Excessive running and jumping
β Lack of calf muscle stretching
β Wearing unsupportive footwear
Symptoms: Pain at the back of the heel, stiffness in the morning, and swelling.
π¦Ά 4. Shin Splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome)
What is it? Inflammation of the tibialis anterior muscle in the lower leg.
Causes:
β Running on hard surfaces
β Sudden increase in training intensity
β Weak foot muscles
Symptoms: Dull pain along the shin bone, worsening with activity.
π€ 5. Muscle Tear (Most Severe Injury!)
What is it? A complete rupture of the muscle tissue.
Causes:
β Sudden movement without proper preparation
β Training through fatigue without adequate rest
β Ignoring pain and continuing to exercise
Symptoms: A sharp "popping" sensation, extreme pain, and inability to move the affected area.
How to Prevent Sports Injuries?
β
Warm Up Before Training
β 5-10 minutes of light cardio and dynamic stretching prepare your muscles for movement.
β Use a foam roller before workouts instead of massage to activate muscles without over-relaxing them.
β
Stretch After Exercise
β Gently hold each stretch for 20-30 seconds.
β Focus on calves, quads, hamstrings, lower back, and shoulders.
β
Get a Post-Workout Massage
πββ Deep tissue massage after exercise speeds up recovery and prevents stiffness.
πββ Regular muscle and tendon massage reduces strain and tightness.
π Trigger point massage helps with soreness and pain relief.
β
Use Proper Exercise Technique
β Always perform movements in a controlled way, without sudden jerks.
β Avoid lifting heavy weights without proper form.
β
Wear the Right Shoes
β Shoes should have shock absorption and arch support.
β If you have flat feet or high arches, use orthopaedic insoles.
β
Allow Your Body to Rest
β Do not train through pain! Pain is a warning sign of overuse.
β Take rest days between intense workouts to allow muscles to recover.
Conclusion: When to Get a Massage and How to Avoid Injuries?
πΉ Post-workout massage is the best choice β it speeds up recovery, reduces tension, and prevents injuries.
πΉ Pre-workout massage is not recommended β it can weaken muscles and increase injury risk.
πΉ Most injuries happen due to overtraining, sudden movements, and lack of warm-up.
πΉ Regular massage, stretching, and controlled training intensity are key to safe and effective workouts.
πββ Book a massage today β keep your muscles healthy and injury-free!
π Massage Therapist Grazina
π +44 7842 533913