The Importance of Pre and Post-Event Sports Massage.
The Importance of Pre and Post-Event Sports Massage.
I'll be using BJJ as an example as that is what I know.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is a demanding sport that pushes both the body and mind to their limits. Whether you're stepping onto the mat for your first competition or you're a seasoned competitor, the need to keep your body in top condition is essential. From my personal experience in BJJ and sports massage therapy (SMT), I’ve seen first-hand how effective massage can be in preparing for an event and recovering afterward. In fact, this was one of the driving factors behind me pursuing this career – the undeniable benefits I experienced and wanted to share with others.
Pre-Event Massage: Get Ready to Perform Before any competition, preparation is key. Pre-event massage is all about priming your body for the intense physical demands ahead. Here’s how it helps:
- Increases Blood Flow
A good pre-event massage can help increase circulation, sending oxygen and nutrients to the muscles. This boosts your body’s readiness and can help reduce the chances of injury during a match. - Loosens Up Tight Muscles
The last thing you want before a fight is tight, stiff muscles. A tailored massage can help improve muscle elasticity and flexibility, ensuring you're able to perform your techniques with fluidity and control. - Mental Focus
Getting a massage before a big event isn’t just about the body. The calming effect of sports massage can help calm your nerves, giving you the mental edge you need to stay sharp and focused.
Post-Event Massage: Recover Faster, Feel Better Once the competition is over, your body has taken a beating—whether you’ve won, lost, or gone through several tough rounds. A post-event massage focuses on helping you recover faster and reduce the wear and tear on your muscles:
- Reduces Muscle Soreness
After intense competition, delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) can be a painful reality. Post-event massage can help flush out lactic acid and metabolic waste that builds up during high-intensity effort, reducing soreness and stiffness. - Speeds Up Recovery
By promoting better circulation and stimulating the lymphatic system, post-event massage helps your body recover faster. This means you can get back to training sooner and at a higher level. - Prevents Injuries
Post-event massage helps identify and treat any areas of tightness, fatigue, or strain that could develop into more serious injuries if left unattended. It’s a crucial part of injury prevention and long-term athletic performance.
Why I Do What I Do
My journey into becoming a sports massage therapist started from a need to understand how to best care for my own body as a BJJ athlete. After sustaining injuries and going through countless hours of self-rehabilitation, I realized how beneficial massage can be in the context of sports like BJJ. It became clear that I wanted to help others experience the same recovery and preparation benefits I did. That’s why Omni-Well offers sports massage therapy, with a focus on athletes and martial artists.
Tailored for You
At Omni-Well, every massage I offer is tailored to the individual’s needs, whether you’re preparing for a big competition or looking to speed up your recovery afterward. If you’re local to Darlington or surrounding areas, get in touch to book your pre- or post-event massage and experience the benefits for yourself.
Ready to take your BJJ performance and recovery to the next level? I’m here to help. Book your appointment today!
