Whether you’re training for an event or just love the rush of the road, massage should be an essential component of every runner’s conditioning and recovery routine. But with all the options available, what’s the best type of massage for a runner, and when is it most effective? The answer depends on your unique goals, routine, and body. Here are some guidelines:
Sports Massage
Sports massage manipulates soft tissue – including tendons, ligaments, muscles, and fascia – in a targeted fashion to prevent or improve sports injuries, making it especially useful for runners. It can also increase flexibility, performance, and overall physical function, reducing your chance of future injuries.
When to get it: Because sports massage is designed to address athletic issues, it can be tailored for pre- or post-event benefit, as regular maintenance, or as a spot treatment. Just remember to let your therapist know your training/event schedule in advance, so they can provide the most beneficial treatment for you. Book Your Zeel Sports Massage »
Deep Tissue Massage
A deep tissue massage can be just as intensive as a sports massage, though it’s less focused on the specific effects of athletic activity. This technique more broadly addresses superficial tissue, muscles, and fascia, but with sufficient pressure to mend stiff muscles and address “knots” that can disrupt circulation, cause inflammation, and limit range of motion.
When to get it: Because of the intensity of a DTM, it’s not ideal for the few days before and after an event but should still be sought on a monthly basis for ongoing recovery and to keep your tissue supple. Book Your Zeel deep tissue Massage »
Swedish Massage
Swedish massage is a gentler, less targeted technique aimed at overall bodily stress. It utilizes long, flowing strokes of varying pressure to release muscle tension and increase blood flow—ideal for helping you relax and reenergize.
When to get it: Swedish massage is one of the best massages to get on a regular basis—ideally weekly. It’s intensive enough to manage your ongoing recovery needs, but won’t add further muscle strain. It can be employed in the days before an event or as a recovery tool after hard workouts, when you want to to gently relax your muscles and help them recover. Book Your Zeel Swedish Massage
Make it Routine
If you’re a regular runner (or regularly subject your body to any type of exercise), biweekly or monthly massages will support its ability to perform, recover, and ward off injury. Zeel makes it easy with our monthly massage membership. You’ll get up to 33% off regular rates, rollover massage credits, and many more benefits. It’s the easiest way to make this essential routine part of your routine.