A therapist (we will call “C”) asked me the following question. “I have a massage booked tomorrow evening with a guy who just ran a marathon about 3 days ago. How would you approach working on him?”
As you know I do not jump in and answer questions with knowing more by doing some Q&A of my own to have a better understanding of the unique circumstance.
René: As best as you can and listening to his body 😉 . Does he have any complaints?
C: I haven’t spoken with him yet, he’s been referred by a friend. So a lot more will be revealed when I get the chance to speak with him
René: How long has he been running? Does he have any other runs coming up (which I doubt because hopefully he knows to give time for his body to recover)
C: He doesn’t have any other runs coming up. I think he’s a newbie runner too so I am guessing he may be quite sore.
René: Normally in cases after a endurance competition. The body needs realignment and stretching. If they had injuries from the event of before or are complaining of pain I would treat them as well.
When did he do the run and when is he coming in?
C: I was thinking of some assisted stretching. He ran three days ago, and coming in tomorrow
René: Get some heat in there if you have a good heat pack and or plenty of effleurage to start warming them up. Then petrissage to get those muscles to move fluidly and loosen the fascia. Then stretch. Do it segment by segment so when you stretch them the area doesn’t cool down.
C: Will do. Thank you for your advice.
René: Let me know how it goes.
C: thank you, will do
