Calling All Bridge Runners! Benefits of Pre-and Post- Race Massage

by Krista Peterson, Marketing Outreach Coordinator, Longevity Wellness

Who’s excited for this year’s Cooper River Bridge Run?! We’re so happy to see so many runners zooming by our office, surely prepping for the big day!

How are you preparing for the race (aside from running by us, of course!) and what plans do you have for your post-race recovery? Massage therapy, (specifically focused sports massage and recovery massage), as well as stretching (kind of a no-brainer there!), have profound benefits both before and after racing. Check out these important facts below about just how beneficial adding massage to your running routine can be.

Pre-race massage, especially if you’re coming off a hard week of training, helps you to re-energize, relax, and prep your muscles for the ability to run fast and score your best times ever. Usually a lighter massage paired with stretching is best, to relieve stress and muscle tension without any soreness before your upcoming race.

Regarding post-race massage, according to Jason Fitzgerald on strengthrunning.com:

Artwork by local artist D. Scott Stevenson. (Source: CRBR)

“The major benefit of [post-run massage] is that it relaxes tense muscles and removes adhesions or minor scar tissue between muscles and fascia, a fancy word for the sheath or casing that surrounds your muscles. Unneeded tension and adhesions can restrict movement and impair your range of motion, potentially leading to abnormal movement patterns that can cause overuse injuries.” Additionally, “massage can reduce pain and the intensity of muscle soreness after a grueling workout or marathon. Some studies indicate that massage can reduce inflammation, improve immune function, and reduce stress hormones like cortisol.” 

With that being said, you’re in luck--all of our therapists here at Longevity Wellness are trained in sports massage (as well as stretch therapy) and have worked on many different types of athletes. So, since we want you all to crush your numbers and feel as great as ever for the race and after, we are offering 10% off massages and stretch sessions two days before and two days after race weekend (April 4th, 5th, 8th, and 9th)!

If you want to enhance your pre- or post-run results even further, make sure to check out our massage add-ons including cupping therapy, stretch therapy, and fire and ice!

*Discounts will be taken upon checkout