How many people here use physios

gearoidol

I took up running about 2 years ago and am doing between 160k to 200k training a month.im down to just over an 18 min 5k in races at the moment but after a week of tough training my legs are always shot.
i was thinking of going for a sports massage once or twice a month and maybe to get the odd niggle that crops up cared for.

does this sound like overkill for someone at my level or do others here do it ?

ecoli

Started doing it two years ago and used to aim to get it done every week or two. Became such a firm believer in it that it got me into actually studying it myself.

Most people should aim to prevent injuries rather than get them treated. You will be amazed at the level of consistency you can get through maintenance work

EauRouge79

Every 6-8 weeks depending on how much running I am doing. Best move I ever made. Havent been injured in 2 years and I put that down to being able to run regularly without niggles or injuries.
Costs a few quid but can claim some of it back via the health insurance at the end of the year.

rom

tbh a good sports massage which is also covered by health insurance is probably a better way to spend your money for maintenance. More hands on and you would get an hour rather than 1/2 hour. But unless you also use a foam roller 2-3 times a week yourself you are then just wasting money. I get sports massage for an hour for 35 euro and get 25 back from VHI then I claim the lower percentage rate back on the remainder so it cost me like 8 euro a go.

gearoidol

rom wrote: »

tbh a good sports massage which is also covered by health insurance is probably a better way to spend your money for maintenance. More hands on and you would get an hour rather than 1/2 hour. But unless you also use a foam roller 2-3 times a week yourself you are then just wasting money. I get sports massage for an hour for 35 euro and get 25 back from VHI then I claim the lower percentage rate back on the remainder so it cost me like 8 euro a go.

Sorry rom I don't understand . Is a sports massage different than going to a physio

EauRouge79

Sorry, maybe should have been a bit clearer. I go to the physio for a deep sports massage.
Foam Roller of course is used regularly and an essential piece of kit.

rom

gearoidol wrote: »

Sorry rom I don't understand . Is a sports massage different than going to a physio

Well according to vhi yes
Sports massage and physio count towards separate allotments so if its 7 then you can get 7 of each. In Dublin probably hard to get sports massage for 35 euro for an hour but you never know if you know someone operating from home after work.

of what you don't claim back you can claim the lower tax rate of the remainder on med 1

RedRunner

gearoidol wrote: »

Sorry rom I don't understand . Is a sports massage different than going to a physio

You dont need to go to physio for a sports massage . I go to someone in dublincity centre every 6 weeks or so and i find it great to prevent injuries especially if you are doing high mileage. e30 for an hour for reg customers. I think she is really good. pm me for details if you want.

rom

RedRunner wrote: »

You dont need to go to physio for a sports massage . I go to someone in dublincity centre every 6 weeks or so and i find it great to prevent injuries especially if you are doing high mileage. e30 for an hour for reg customers. I think she is really good. pm me for details if you want.

The benefit of going to a physio or sport massage persion is that you can claim a nice bit back from some healthcare plans.

gearoidol

rom wrote: »

The benefit of going to a physio or sport massage persion is that you can claim a nice bit back from some healthcare plans.

yeah i have aviva cover with "gp's and physio " so i presume that means i get something back.

ecoli

rom wrote: »

The benefit of going to a physio or sport massage persion is that you can claim a nice bit back from some healthcare plans.

While all chartered physios would come under the cover of these health plans not all sports massage/sports therapy qualifications are included in these health care plans. This is in no way a judgement of there quality (as very few chartered physios will do deep tissue massage) but something you should make yourself aware of before going if you are expecting to receive money back at the end of the year

Gringo78

Any recommendations for sports massage in Dublin City Centre, preferably operating in the middle of the day rather than evenings?

Pisco Sour

I get a sports massage every Wednesday. Am a bit lucky as have a pretty sweet setup going on at the moment. The middle distance coach at our club has some sort of a certificate/ qualification to give sports massages, so gives them to whoever wants them in our club/ training group. Costs $20 a go, and I get a good 25ish minutes, covering the back, and the complete lower body. Ridiculously good value. Minimum wage here is around $16 an hour, so that shows how cheap $20 really is.

I find these massages a crucial element of my training. Without them I wouldn't be able to run as fast in training, and thus wouldn't be able to run as fast in races. Without them I wouldn't have got through the 15 track meets so far this season so well. Prevention is better than cure, though if they are costing 50 blips a go then it's a bit hard to get them every week.

average_runner

Who do people recommend in Dublin for sports massage and phyiso wise?

kit3

average_runner wrote: »

Who do people recommend in Dublin for sports massage and phyiso wise?

Mick Spillane in Clondalkin is very good and not too far from where you are. He also has someone who does sports massage.

RedRunner

rom wrote: »

The benefit of going to a physio or sport massage persion is that you can claim a nice bit back from some healthcare plans.

Agree with you on that Rom but as ecoli mentions, some plans spcify certain physio companies and some have to be members of Irish Society of Physios to qualify for refunds.

RoverHogan

Gringo78 wrote: »

Any recommendations for sports massage in Dublin City Centre, preferably operating in the middle of the day rather than evenings?

Peter Mathews in Functional Training on Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin 2.

knipper

Just so people are aware my vhi plan gives a payment for physical therapy or physiotherapy but not sports massage.
Its ridiculous I pay extra for physical therapy when I'm basically getting a sports massage so that I can claim some of it back from VHI.

statss

I've booked in with Functional Training for a sports massage next week, I'll let you know how I get on.

rom

btw you can also claim for reflexology and acupuncture on some VHI plans.

statss

just to say, very happy with my experience with functional training. would recommend.

RedRunner

statss wrote: »

just to say, very happy with my experience with functional training. would recommend.

Good to know.Noted for future reference. thanks

gearoidol

well im off for my first sports massage Thursday night.
How sore is it ?

statss

gearoidol wrote: »

well im off for my first sports massage Thursday night.
How sore is it ?

I was nearly reduced to tears.

RedRunner

gearoidol wrote: »

well im off for my first sports massage Thursday night.
How sore is it ?

Yes , it can be sore especially if you have a niggle but if you are just going for a maintenance rubdown it's not too bad. I have been teary eyed too but it is well worth it for the long term gains especially when you up the mileage

gearoidol

well went for my first deep tissue massage last night to the physio.
Damn it was sore.She found a load of knots from 2 years of tough training.Felt sore this morning but better now and hopefully it did the legs some good.I'll go for an old ez run tonight for a bit of recouperation

wrstan

It took my legs almost two days to recover after my last sports massage. Then they felt great.

I would treat the couple of days after a good massage a bit like the recovery period after a race and only run easy if at all.

runnathon

ecoli - "You will be amazed at the level of consistency you can get through maintenance work."
EauRouge79 - "Havent been injured in 2 years and I put that down to being able to run regularly without niggles or injuries."

So, simply from sports massage by a masseur?

ecoli, you say physios don't do deep tissue massage - is that what sports massage is? Just not sure of the definition/difference.
In which case, apart from health funds, where do physios fit into the picture?

Tipsygypsy

runnathon wrote: »

"

So, simply from sports massage by a masseur?

ecoli, you say physios don't do deep tissue massage - is that what sports massage is? Just not sure of the definition/difference.

Sports Massage is the use of massage for treatment and prevention of sports injuries. It can be used as part of a training program to help prevent injury, as part of a rehabilitation program to treat injury, as part of a warm-up for an event or as part of the cool-down after event.

Sports masage can be deep tissue, but not always, depends on the needs of the client and what the intention of the massage is (whether its post-event/pre-event/maintenance or injury rehab). For maintenace massage it can be deep tissue and can be sore, but it really does help. It is very much hands on and almost all of the session will be actual massage, and its the treatment is designed specifically for you with your activities in mind. Therapist should also be able to give you good advice re stretching, stregthening etc.

runnathon

Thanks Tipsygypsy. We've always just called it 'a rubdown', very scientific I know, but beneficial after a hard workout or comp. Hadn't realised there were more long-term benefits, so might have to look into it a bit further.