Massage in conjunction with my exercise regime … should I get massage before or after I train?

This decision can be a very personal choice, and the decision has potential to impact on your body – either positively or negatively – whichever way you go … I don’t necessarily believe there is a right or wrong choice here and would probably suggest trying both to see how your body responds, and then choose the potential that suits you best.

Massage BEFORE training has the potential to promote increases in work effort – leading to greater achievements in training productivity, and better results depending o your training goals … this approach could be viewed similarly to getting a Pre-Event Massage before a competition – the potential downside could be an adverse effect on your training. If the pressure and tempo of your treatment are too stimulating – it might lead to over stimulation and possible early fatigue, decreasing the output from effort and leave you disheartened from your training. Alternatively, if the treatment is slower and deeper it might lead to a feeling of lethargy and weakness that stops you from pushing your training boundaries to achieve advancements in your ability.

Massage AFTER training has the potential to support soft tissue healing after micro-trauma from a solid training session, promoting a better recovery and potential gains at your next training session … very much like Post-Event Massage. Massage soon after a workout can help us (your therapists) by allowing us to work on muscles that are already warm and full of circulation – allowing us to work more deeply, more quickly, potentially delivering a better treatment … but some people don’t like to be sweaty on the table and feel they are being polite by showering between training and their massage, and if you do that you are potentially losing the benefit of presenting for treatment with warm musculature and negating the perceived benefit of treatment after training.

At the end of the day – much like many other aspects of getting a Remedial Treatment – try both perspectives and see which one works best for you.