Let's talk about massage.

[mrs.jacinthe]

So, I've stepped up my mileage immensely this training cycle - I'm about a week into the "base" phase of training and I've stepped up to 10+ miles/week or so.  I'll start my long swims in mid-April, with distances around 2.5 miles with resistance (I'll use my stationary swim trainer to pull R in the kayak), then up to 4-5 miles in mid-to-late May (not sure about doing that distance with resistance.  We'll see.)  I've never done such heavy-duty training before, but I'm serious about getting back into excellent swim shape (body shape is another issue entirely) and kicking as much ass as I can in June.

All that to say, I've had shoulder problems in the past - usually muscular, never tendon-related, thank goodness.  So I'm thinking getting massage would be helpful.  If you've done massage (particularly deep tissue/sports massage) as part of a training cycle, how often did you go?  Do you think it was worth it?

[al320]

So im going to sound like a broken record.

I dont swim nearly as much as you do (over the summer i swim 6 or so days a week, 3k-4k per day, now its more like 2.5k twice a week if im lucky).

My traps are SO tight. My entire upper back and shoulders, reallym but the traps are the worst. I go to accupuncture (where i also get a massage) and try to go once a week.. if i had time, id go twice. Its incredibly helpful. Id think at least twice a month at a minimum would have tremendous benefit. But weekly is awesome. Esepcially with how much you swim. Shit, id get one everyday if i could lol (Ill add my health insurance ocvers it, otherwise it would be cost prohibitive, for sure).

[ktzmoh]

Not for swimming (because I am not a powerhouse there yet), but Ive seen a massage therapist throughout my last two training cycles and YES it has been worth every penny. Last training cycle, I went about every 6 weeks or so, but now I go once a month.

I'm not exaggerating when I say that I feel like I have new legs after every session. I strongly believe that Phil is the reason that my IT band has recovered with only minimal disruption to my training. And I've already locked him in as a team mate on the ironman-by-40 quest.

He's worked miracles on my hips, iliopsoas, calves and quads. How could I have ever known that digging around in my abdomen would instantly relieve the tension and pain in my hip flexor? He also teaches me about the anatomy of my legs, what's connected, what aches and pains mean and how to stretch/roll more effectively.

Find someone who knows what he/she is doing and you won't regret it.

[mrs.jacinthe]

Mar 23, 2015 13:17:51 GMT -5 ktzmoh said:

Not for swimming (because I am not a powerhouse there yet), but Ive seen a massage therapist throughout my last two training cycles and YES it has been worth every penny. Last training cycle, I went about every 6 weeks or so, but now I go once a month.

I'm not exaggerating when I say that I feel like I have new legs after every session. I strongly believe that Phil is the reason that my IT band has recovered with only minimal disruption to my training. And I've already locked him in as a team mate on the ironman-by-40 quest.

He's worked miracles on my hips, iliopsoas, calves and quads. How could I have ever known that digging around in my abdomen would instantly relieve the tension and pain in my hip flexor? He also teaches me about the anatomy of my legs, what's connected, what aches and pains mean and how to stretch/roll more effectively.

Find someone who knows what he/she is doing and you won't regret it.

The place I have in mind works almost exclusively with endurance/extreme/ultra athletes and is pretty much the go-to around here for them.  They specialize in "extreme deep tissue" which is apparently super painful but very helpful.  I've been hesitant to go (if I'm honest) because I don't LOOK like an endurance athlete and I feel stupid claiming to be one.  I don't normally have body image issues, but massage is one area where I am kind of sensitive about my weight/body condition.

[al320]

Mar 23, 2015 13:30:03 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

Mar 23, 2015 13:17:51 GMT -5 ktzmoh said:

Not for swimming (because I am not a powerhouse there yet), but Ive seen a massage therapist throughout my last two training cycles and YES it has been worth every penny. Last training cycle, I went about every 6 weeks or so, but now I go once a month.

I'm not exaggerating when I say that I feel like I have new legs after every session. I strongly believe that Phil is the reason that my IT band has recovered with only minimal disruption to my training. And I've already locked him in as a team mate on the ironman-by-40 quest.

He's worked miracles on my hips, iliopsoas, calves and quads. How could I have ever known that digging around in my abdomen would instantly relieve the tension and pain in my hip flexor? He also teaches me about the anatomy of my legs, what's connected, what aches and pains mean and how to stretch/roll more effectively.

Find someone who knows what he/she is doing and you won't regret it.

The place I have in mind works almost exclusively with endurance/extreme/ultra athletes and is pretty much the go-to around here for them.  They specialize in "extreme deep tissue" which is apparently super painful but very helpful.  I've been hesitant to go (if I'm honest) because I don't LOOK like an endurance athlete and I feel stupid claiming to be one.  I don't normally have body image issues, but massage is one area where I am kind of sensitive about my weight/body condition.

You swim many many miles at a time, regularly. If youre not an endurance athlete, no one is.

[Wines Not Whines]

I try to get a massage once a month. I'd love to go more often, but it's not in my budget. It really helps with muscle fatigue and helping get out knots and tight spots that I can't get out on my own.

[mrs.jacinthe]

Mar 23, 2015 13:32:41 GMT -5 al320 said:

Mar 23, 2015 13:30:03 GMT -5 mrs.jacinthe said:

The place I have in mind works almost exclusively with endurance/extreme/ultra athletes and is pretty much the go-to around here for them.  They specialize in "extreme deep tissue" which is apparently super painful but very helpful.  I've been hesitant to go (if I'm honest) because I don't LOOK like an endurance athlete and I feel stupid claiming to be one.  I don't normally have body image issues, but massage is one area where I am kind of sensitive about my weight/body condition.

You swim many many miles at a time, regularly. If youre not an endurance athlete, no one is.

I know this.  I do.  It's weird.  Most people have issues wearing a bathing suit in public.  I'm at least a hundred pounds heavier than some of those people and have absolutely no shame about that.  However, seeing a near-medical practitioner, by myself, in private?  Embarrassing.  Go figure.

[ktzmoh]

I see all sorts of body types in the waiting room and on the highly qualified staff. Go get a massage and if it makes you feel better, tell them how much you swim when you describe your pain so that they know for sure you're a complete bad ass.

[katandkevin]

I got a massage once a month during ironman training. It was a godsend and I think helped to prevent injuries and keep current injuries from getting worse.

[AAM2012]

I don't swim but run and have a monthly membership at massage envy. Some months I don't use it and save it for more mileage months.


I highly recommend massages for anyone who does intense workouts/endurance training.