A recent article in the Vancouver Sun extols the benefits of massage therapy as it relates to runners/walkers.

Amongst the many benefits of massage therapy for runners and walkers:

• aids in the relief of muscle soreness and injury prevention
• increased range of motion
• improved flexibility
• psychological effect, reflecting in better performance

Some of the conditions that can be effectively treated by massage therapy are:

• plantar fasciitis
• Achilles tendinitis
• ili-otibial band syndrome (ITBS)
• shin splints

Massage has been shown to have the most benefit in combination with proper warm-up and stretching. Get the book, STRETCHING by Bob Anderson, which I blogged about on April 1, 2013

Massage therapy could be done pre-event (before your run/walk) and post-event.

Pre-event massage will focus on feet and legs may be used before an event to stimulate targeted areas and assist with ROM.

Post-event massage will focus on the full body to reduce muscle soreness associated with delayed onset muscle soreness and fatigue.

If however you have suffered an injury or are having chronic problems, then you should seek medical attention to prevent aches becoming injuries, especially in the weeks before your event.

See your doctor if the pain persists or doesn’t go away within a day or two.
See your therapist if treatment is recommended.