Benefits of Massage for
runners:

 

Prevent plantar fasciitis

1.  Decrease pain associated with
running to the bottom of foot

2.  Increase muscular length of calves
allowing foot to function properly

3.  Break up scar tissue formed from
repetitive pounding of running

4.  Re-align muscle fibers of planter
foot (bottom of foot)

Increase length of stride

1.  Release hip flexing musculature
(iliopsoas, rectus femoris and sartosious)

• Allowing hip to extend easily
  without restriction

• Decreasing tournaque effect to
  arterial tissue (from tight muscle compressing arteries)

This stop easy blood flow to legs

1.  Release gluts and hamstrings

• Allowing hips to flex easily
  without restriction

Decrease tightness in shoulders

1.  Allows shoulders to drop

Increase ability to expand lungs

2.  Decrease tightness in pecs,
intercostals (muscle between ribs)and erector spinae muscles

• Allowing chest to expand without
  restriction

Avoid shin splint pain

1.  Decrease tightness of muscle in
the front of shin

2.  Increase circulation avoiding
compression syndromes (pressure build up of anterior compartment)

The most beneficial aspect of massage therapy for runners is
it will decrease the heaviness feeling in your legs from the mileage endured
from training. It helps with the recovery process by helping the blood
circulate more easily. This transports oxygen and nutrition to the areas
needing it and transport the by-products of muscular contraction away to the
areas in the bodies system that filter and get rid of waste like the kidneys,
liver and lungs.