Timing is everything. You can schedule a sports massage pre, post, or during an event, but don't try anything new too close to the big day. "The time period is entirely dependent on what works for your body," says Kirkeby. But it's typically recommended not to try new massage techniques too close to a big event, since you don't know how it will impact your performance. Utamaru Kido - Getty Images
It's typical for your massage therapist to ask you a few questions before your first session. The answers will help your massage therapist know what your goals are and understand how to treat you. "It is very important to have a solid interview process in place," says Kirkeby. "For one person, a sports massage might mean that they are being stretched for an hour and moved around, and for someone else, it might mean that they're getting something closer to that deep-tissue kind of definition." PeopleImages - Getty Images
Make sure you're well-hydrated before your massage. ...and that you go pee beforehand. "Nothing worse than having to break your Zen to ask to use the facilities," says Kirkeby. A hydrated body makes your muscles easier to work with during a massage, since dehydration can make them stiffer. Alex Ortega / EyeEm - Getty Images
Avoid certain medications before your sports massage. Kirkeby advises that some medications, like pain relievers and muscle relaxers, can get you sent home. "The ones your massage therapist would be concerned about you taking before your massage are any medication that alters your sense of touch or impairs you." These kinds of medications can make it difficult for you to give your therapist accurate feedback. Some blood-thinning medication can also leave you more susceptible to bruising. But if you have an ongoing condition that requires medication, be sure to talk to your massage therapist about it. "For most medications, simply knowing that you are on them allows the therapist to modify the treatment to protect your safety and health," says Kirkeby. Sarawut Doungwana / EyeEm - Getty Images
Your appointment will likely involve more than a massage. "Your sports massage may include, movement, resistance exercise, stretching, mobilizations, and a host of 'other' stuff that has its own results apart from a nice rub," Kirkeby says. Your therapist may also be certified or very knowledgeable in other scopes of practice, which could be a bonus for you. In her experience, Kirkeby has hired massage therapists who are sometimes competitive athletes themselves. KatarzynaBialasiewicz - Getty Images
Sports massages can help you become more flexible. Chances are your sports massage may include stretching. Stretching exercises can gradually increase your muscles' extensibility (aka flexibility) since you are basically training them increase their range of motion. Klaus Vedfelt - Getty Images
But they don't help you get rid of lactic acid buildup. It's a common fitness misconception that a build up of lactic acid in your muscles is what causes soreness (though it is what causes that burn you feel when working hard). It's also a myth that massages can help "break down" this excess lactate in your systemyour body does that automatically shortly after you stop exercising. In truth, researchers aren't exactly sure what causes sore muscles, but what they do know is that sports massages actually impair the removal of lactic acid from muscles because of the manual compression a massage creates, according to a study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise Journal. If you're looking for a way to help your body use up the extra lactic acid it generates during a hard workout like HIIT or heavy weight lifting in order to keep your cells energized, opt for active recovery instead. The same study found that it can help your system use up that added fuel faster than passive recovery. lzf - Getty Images
That said, a sports massage can help alleviate pain. It does so by lowering your body's overall stress level(partly thanks to those "feel good" endorphins), getting your blood flowing, and relieving muscle tension, all which lead to better recovery. dragana991 - Getty Images
Plus, a sports massage can help you heal from or prevent an injury. "Sports massage may be part of your [pre-event] routine to get you ready to go or part of your rehab routine to help you get back going," Kirkeby explains. Emilija Manevska - Getty Images
You'll probably sleep better after a sports massage too. Relaxed muscles will lead to better sleep by cutting down on sleep disturbances, according to a study in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapy . Plus, massages in general turn down your stress, making it easier for you to shut down your body at bedtime. monkeybusinessimages - Getty Images
Just know that it's normal to feel a little tender after a sports massage. "Having chronically tight muscles and then relaxing can lead to the feeling of soreness," says Kirkeby. Some people can tolerate rougher massages than others, so you should work with someone who's receptive to the needs of your body. PredragImages - Getty Images
A sports massage can help you manage your race or game day jitters. It can help you get your head in the game by mindfully addressing some of your worries, says Kirkeby, whose worked with plenty of professional athletes. "[The] focus is on things that concern them, like old injuries. Being touched and having the tissue manipulated often makes them feel more in their bodies, as far as a sensory awareness." MmeEmil - Getty Images
Sports massages can help women deal with hormonal changes. Female athletes have more hormone fluctuations, explains Kirkeby. "For some women, certain times of the month can cause extreme fatigue, and so if you're a serious athlete, you might be seeking more than a little bump to your R&R regime at that time," she says. "Sports massages might fill that hole by letting someone facilitate more rest than you normally get." SDI Productions - Getty Images
Technically, you can work out the same day you get a sports massage, but it's not recommended. "I would highly recommend maximizing your rest days and times. Recovery is just as important as training," says Kirkeby. It's important to give your body enough time to properly repair itself and experience the benefits of your sports massage. Mike Harrington - Getty Images
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