Benefits of Massage Therapy for Long-Distance Runners

Need an excuse to get yourself to the nearest massage therapist? I'm going to try to give you one.

I've started to hear more about elite runners using massage therapy during their training and before and after races for preparation and recovery, so I was interested in learning more about the effects of massage therapy on long-distance runners.

The alleged benefits of massage therapy are many. Physiologically, massage therapy is said to increase blood flow to muscles, reduce muscle tension, break up muscle scar tissue, and remove waste products that result from training and racing. Psychologically, massage therapy can bring about a general sense of well-being and relaxation. Finally, trained massage therapists are able to identify problem areas that could lead to future injuries.

Unfortunately, there aren't many studies that examine the effects of massage therapy on endurance athletes. I did find a 2005 study in the Journal of Athletic Training showing that massage therapy reduced delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) by 30% but had no effect on muscle function. That's too bad about muscle function, but at a minimum, it seems that decreased DOMS would allow runners to get back to training more quickly. 

So, while there isn't clear scientific evidence backing the advantages of massage therapy for long-distance runners, the potential upside could make it a worthwhile option. Ready to throw down some money? There are several massage therapists in the area, so I would suggest you start by finding a certified practitioner through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. Then, take a quick visit to Yelp to read about others' experiences with massage therapy here in the East Bay.