Sports Massage.

Saturday I had my very first sports massage … and I used to think just foam rolling hurt so good.

I decided to scheduled an appointment after my rough attempt at a 10 miler and the pain that ensued about 6 miles in. Hip pain is nothing new to me, but it was almost unbearable that Saturday and was still there when I attempted to run the following Monday. My chiropractor friend mentioned it could be my hip flexors, after I showed him where the pain was, and suggested a sports massage to help loosen the area up over a month ago. Last week, I figured I should take his suggestion.

I walked in so nervous. What if it was something more serious? What if they can’t find anything? Can I still run when I get the urge to?

It didn’t help that my therapist looked like a child. I was hesitant at first and wondered if he’d be any good, but then remembered how people always question me as I’m a young, female tax attorney. So … I put my faith in him. He was awesome.

We walked in to my room and he asked me to show on this gigantic picture of the muscles where it hurt when I ran. 

I pointed to what I now know is my tensor fasciae latae muscle, and explained when it would hurt, how if I stretched and foam rolled regularly it took longer for it to hurt during a run, if it even hurt at all. I also mentioned how my hamstring had been bothering me.

Then it was time to start the massage. As he started to do a general massage on my leg he commented he could already tell my hips were tight. 

As the massage continued, he got down to the nitty gritty. I’m surprised I didn’t scream. It hurt so bad, yet it hurt so good. 

These are the places I felt it the most throughout the massage. Note I said felt the most … because honestly, I felt it all. My therapist said that the hamstring pain could be a result of the tightness of my hips. Something about how things shift where they aren’t supposed to when I run due to the tightness, which may cause injury and/or pain to other areas. Interesting.

There were two areas I was surprised by how much pain I felt, and so I asked why I would feel such pain.

I was told it was most likely a result of my posture, which since my massage I have taken note and realized I sway my back. Crazy!

After the massage, I got the usually “drink a lot of water”. But he also said not to workout that day, to stretch and that I’d be really sore on Sunday. He was wrong. I was sore by Saturday evening. Especially in the upper butt, lower back area – most likely from still swaying my back.

I’m so glad I went for the sports massage. I learned a lot! From here on out, foam rolling and stretching are NOT an option … they are a requirement. Also, my posture needs some work. Also, I can run!! He suggested that when I run, I do so at a slow pace and to rebuild my mileage. Once my hip starts hurting again, I am supposed to back in for a massage. The goal is to work up to 3-4 weeks between massages with no pain when running.

Being given a plan was probably the second most exciting thing about the massage – the first being the hurt so good, duh.

So that’s where I stand! More likely than not, I’m not doing the Jazz Half Marathon. I’m not going to lie, I’m really upset about this, BUT the sadness does not outweigh the pain I have felt in my hips. Just trying to be smart here!

Have you ever had a sports massage?

Xoxo.

Tags: bailey institute metairie, massage for runners, Running, sports massage, tight hips, tight hips for runners