Whether it's the Tour de France or Ride the Rockies, cyclists -- world-class and otherwise -- are learning the lessons of massage for injury prevention, enhanced performance and faster recovery.

Cycling is a demanding activity, a sport that puts the athlete in stress for prolonged periods, sometimes for several hours at a time. While it is the legs that endure the greatest burden, many muscle groups are involved on a long ride. For these endurance machines, it isn't enough to ride long one day then give the body plenty of time to recover. Often the rider is back on the saddle again the next day for another prolonged ride. The results can range from fatigued to damaged muscle tissues.

World-class cyclists include massage in their daily routines, often traveling with a private massage therapist. Citizen riders in races and tours across the country have available to them massage therapists. Colorado's Ride the Rockies tour, one of America's most popular multi-day rides, provides more than 20 massage therapists to help cyclists through the difficult stages of riding through the Rocky Mountains.

Benefits of massage don't end with road races and tours. Mountain bike enthusiasts will net the same positive results as will a variety of other athletes. Massage tents at cycling events are commonplace, but don't be surprised if you're helicopter or snowcat skiing in Canada to see exhausted skiers returning to the lodge and clamoring for an evening massage. It improves performance for any athlete and that translates to a safer and more enjoyable outing. (Read the whole article by Doug Freed)

 

Massage For Cyclists, by Roger Pozeznik, is one of Vitesse Press's steady-selling books.  Most of us think of massage as something elite athletes use to stay limber but through this book, the healing power of sports massage can be easily learned by both recreational and competitive cyclists.  It is a perfect companion for athletes who want to eliminate the effects of fatigue by using sports massage.  This book is for every cyclist who wants to understand how to use massage to improve cycling performance.

The book has large type, a lay-flat binding, and over 100 photos and illustrations, so it is is easy to read while practicing the strokes.  All the techniques can be also used by runners and other athletes.

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Yesterday I awoke to aching hamstrings and a stiff neck -- not an unusual morning for me -- but what was unusual was that I had an appointment with Jan, my Trager practitioner.  Several years ago I started going periodically for what they call body work -- a 90 minute session which leaves me loosened up both in body and mind.  It’s a little new age for me but the light massage and stretching/manipulation is perfect for my old tired muscles and I feel loose and relaxed.  The Vermonter in me says “I don’t deserve this,” but my body tells me, “Yes you do.”

Here’s a description from the Trager website:

“The Trager Approach is the innovative approach to movement education, created and developed over a period of 65 years by Milton Trager, M.D.

There are two aspects of The Trager Approach; one in which you, the client, are passive and the other in which you are active. The passive aspect is usually referred to as the tablework, and the active aspect is called Mentastics.
Utilizing gentle, non-intrusive, natural movements, The Trager Approach helps release deep-seated physical and mental patterns and facilitates deep relaxation, increased physical mobility, and mental clarity. These patterns may have developed in response to accidents, illnesses, or any kind of physical or emotional trauma, including the stress of everyday life.

A session usually lasts from 60 to 90 minutes. No oils or lotions are used and the client is dressed for their comfort, with a minimum of swimwear or briefs, and are additionally draped appropriately.”
The Trager folks say that many athletes have achieved “personal bests” after including Trager as part of their regimen. For example, Zoe Alexi, a Trager practitioner from Massachusetts, worked with one 43-year old marathoner, who “….not only  qualified for the Olympic trials in marathon running, but also went on to win the Cape Cod Marathon only three weeks later.  That is simply unheard of for any marathoner, regardless of age or experience.  But rather than feeling stressed out, she was loose and light, and described her experience as ‘going with the flow.’” Or, in the words of another runner who has integrated Trager into his practice, “I felt like I could fly!”

Trager practitioners are located around the world.  You can find one here.

Trager sessions have helped me stay flexible and have given me some things to work on at home.  Your mileage may vary.  Why not give it a try?

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