Vente Pain Relief Clinic

Introduction

Deep tissue massage for runners is required for certain conditions and presentations. This style of massage has important benefits for those that train hard. Watch this video to learn more.

Why deep tissue massage?

Deep tissue massage is an aggressive form of treatment. It is deep and very precise. The reasoning for this form of treatment is to provide a downward and forward pressure to manually stretch the muscle(s). This pressure exerted aggressively stretches tissues that are extremely tight.

Deep tissue massage for runners accesses deeper muscle fibers. It also reaches deeper layers of muscles that can cause symptoms.

Athletes such as runners generally have thicker, stronger muscles relative to the general population. Because of this a light treatment can help BUT a more aggressive treatment can provide greater more long-standing relief.

What are some of the common conditions and presentations?

1. Heel pain: Heel pain can be due to an annoying condition. Plantar Fasciitis can hobble runners. This is heel pain due to inflammation of a structure called the Plantar Fascia. This thickened tendinous tissue runs from your heel to your toes. When it become inflamed it can cause pain in the heel. Another reason for heel pain, is due to trigger points in muscles of the calf. In some runners, the calves are rock hard with a number of large trigger points. These points can refer into the heel. Tightness and trigger points of a deep muscle in the gluteal region, the Piriformis, are another reason for heel pain. This muscle can cause pain in the heel in two ways. The first way is that it can press on the Sciatic nerve causing referral pain down the thigh and leg. It can also have trigger points that can refer pain down the thigh and leg and into the heel. Deep tissue massage for runners is essential. The calves can be very solid in runners. The glutes also require a more aggressive form of treatment.
2. IT band tightness: A very common condition for runners. Can be caused by running hills or running on uneven surfaces. What can happen is that two large muscles, the Gluteus Maximus and the Tensor Fasciae Latae muscle, become very tight. The two muscles blend into the IT band. The IT band is a thick tendinous tissue. It runs from the side of your thigh to just below your lateral knee. When the two muscles become tight, they pull on the IT band. This can cause symptoms in the knee, thigh, hip, and lower back. This treatment definitely requires deep tissue massage for runners.
3. Posterior chain tightness: This too is a common one. I call it the posterior chain. This is due to the muscles and fascia running from your heels. They pass through the calves, hamstrings, hips, and lower back. Generally speaking, this treatment is relatively a lot less complicated than the other presentations. In this case deep tissue massage for runners is essential to maintain flexibility of the muscles involved with running.
4. Hip flexor tightness: Many runners that we treat are also office workers. Sitting for prolonged periods can make the hip flexors short and tight. This can cause lower back and hip pain. Hip flexor tightness can also be caused by doing activities such as hill running and doing minimal stretching. Combine the sitting and the activities described can exacerbate hip flexor tightness.
5. Knee pain: Knee pain can be caused by tight muscles and trigger points. These muscles can be the Quadriceps. Higher up the chain are the Tensor Fasciae and Gluteus Maximus muscles connecting via the IT band. The Quadriceps, Gluteus Maximus and Tensor Fasciae Latae muscles are thick powerful muscles and require aggressive massage. The aggressive massage can help with stretching these muscles to relieve pain and discomfort.

Deep tissue massage for runners can have excellent benefits such as significantly decreasing muscle and fascia restrictions. Deep tissue massage for runners can also improve blood flow into an area to help with healing and recovery. It can also help with improving performance. This can be by improving the mobility of a joint by relaxing the surrounding muscles.

If you are a runner and have stubborn issues, it is time to contact us. We can discuss your case and provide an outline for your treatment.

More Resources:

Do you have knee pain? Here is a video that answers common questions. Try these pressure points to manage your back pain.