Massages - Do you have them?

TakeTurns

I've never gotten a massage before, like a full body one from a professional. Society probably assumes I'm still too young for that and should be robust as a spring board. For that matter, it's only women that should 'pamper' themselves. However, I'm wondering the benefits it might provide us cyclists, since we put our bodies under a lot of strain.

I most certainly wouldn't warrant myself a massage if I didn't ride so much every week, but I can't help to imagine how much better I'd feel if I got one - say, once a month.

I know that a sauna is an alternative for muscle relaxation, but it just doesn't cut it.

What are your experiences and do you get one done on a regular basis?

bugsrabbit

A physio who found my IT band problem could not rate sports massage high enough, he originated from new zealand where he said sports and massage go hand in hand. He advised me to use a foam roller if i couldnt massage.

wishitwasallflat

If you can find someone decent who ain't afraid to get deep and work the muscles they are fab - loads of skin polishers out there so pick carefully - if I could afford it I would have one every couple of days.

My misses is a trained massuer (settle down a proper therapeutic masseur not what you lot are thinking - this ain't BB you know) strangely she used to give me a massage before we are marrried ... bit like BJs though ... once the rings on they dissapear into the memory ....

PS - As above foam rollers are great for ITB - IMHO probably better than most/all masseurs as you need seruiously strong fingers to do anything to an ITB by hand

Froomes Edgar

As usual, AFAIK there is little evidence that these do anything other than lighten your wallet. You may also find them enjoyable or extremely painful.

chrisaonabike

Froomes Edgar wrote:

As usual, AFAIK there is little evidence that these do anything other than lighten your wallet.

Before I started cycling I was running, and I'd started to get calf tears. It would happen about 5 or 6 miles into a 7 or 8 mile run, so it was a long painful limp back to the car. They would take ages to get better - even after I could walk again without pain, even bounce on my toes, as soon as I'd run again, the tear would recur, no matter how carefully I warmed up.

So I went to a dance physio that my OH knows, for half an hour she stuck her thumbs into my calves so hard I was sweating with the pain... she was saying something about lots of scar tissue, tightness, needing to loosen up the fibres.... I could barely pay attention it hurt so much.

It was like a miracle, though - two days later I could run again, and my calves felt like muscles, not solid lumps of wood. They gradually (over several weeks) tightened up again, and from time to time I went back for another session, which loosened everything up again.

Then I got fed up with it all, so I started cycling instead!!

MattC59

Take the plunge and go for it, you'll live it !

As mentioned, they vary in quality and price. it depends on whether you want a good deep, verging on painful massage, or a bit of pampering, but a bit of googling should find something that will suit.

I don't go very often, but do enjoy it !

Ps. Always ask for a happy ending

LegendLust

A good quality deep massage is painful at first, as they work to get rid of knots etc but if you perserve it becomes enjoyable and works as a top up to keep your muscles supple and flushed of lactic.

As people have mentioned, make sure they can do deep tissue massage, and try to go at least once a month

VTech

I had RSI which effected me for years, I went to someone who does sports massage (even though I am far from a sportsman) and they fixed me in 6 weeks, I went twice a week and I think it was around £40/40min and after 10 years of aching pain it was gone quickly and without fuss.
I have to say though, she hurt me real bad, she was a tiny thing that could inflict pain like no other !

simon_e

There is sports therapy, which can be painful if remedial work is needed, and what you might call 'normal' massage. I have received both and find each can be beneficial. It is certainly not just 'pampering' for women, and IME a sauna is certainly not a substitute.

Cycling uses specific muscles in a repetitive, limited range of motion, so it's not uncommon for cyclists to get issues or for underlying weaknesses to be exacerbated by the activity. But it's not compulsory. If you are young and your posture is OK it may be a waste of money.

A properly trained therapist should be able to deal with people of all ages and, providing you tell them beforehand, with most medical conditions. You can sometimes get treatments cheaply from students training at a local college or a taster at sports events.