Questions you want to ask before coming for a massage but are too shy
February 20, 2024
As a practitioner of martial arts for over 10 years I have battered my body in a variety of different and fantastic ways. From breaking my wrist (many times) to crying myself to sleep when my groin was partially ripped. Some might call that being covered head to toe in injuries. You may be asking why don’t you just stop? What makes you want to keep training after what it has done to your body? That’s a topic for a different article. Today I wanted to talk to you all about what other methods other than massage (someone physically working with you) have I tried.
Sauna
My thoughts, I did daily sessions over a period of 1 month after training, it was very beneficial. Post training I would do 20 minutes in the sauna which could go up to 80c (if noone opened the door). At the start I found it very uncomfortable and was only able to do 10 minutes before having to take a break.
By the second week I was able to stay for the whole 20 minutes. A sauna post training I felt much less sore in the morning and sleep quality was much better.
- Pros: Great muscle recovery, better sleep and my skin cleared up.
- Cons: Expensive (unless you have one at your gym), time consuming to do daily and lastly having sauna conversations.
- Overall, if you can afford the expense and time it is an amazing tool to help your recovery and relaxation.
Cold plunge
Yep, Wim Hoff got to me too. My thoughts, Again I did this for one week post training and then one week pre training. Both Pre and Post training I would cycle to Revival in Hammersmith and sit in 2c water for 3 minutes.
At the start it was torturous. Sitting is that water as my body screamed at me to get out, I was unable to breathe properly. It was only after I was able to calm my breathing did it get better. By the 3rd day I was a pro but I still dreaded getting into the icy water. I felt amazing, almost as if I was vibrating (I was violently shivering) the buzz remained well after I was warm enough too.
I felt a reduction in the pain in my knuckles, elbows and knees after the first session. I preferred post training Ice baths more as I felt it really did help with recovery and sleep but I did feel more sharp during training with a Pre event ice bath.
- Pros: Reduced muscle and joint soreness, improved sleep,(only for Pre) better mood and increased concentration.
- Cons: Expensive, Time consuming unless done at home, the dread of going into cold water and having to learn how to breathe.
- Overall, cold plunge/ice baths are an amazing tool for overall health. There are countless other benefits for both men and women.
Sensory deprivation tank
My thoughts, just not my cup of tea. I saw it on an episode of the Simpsons years ago and when a training partner recommended a place in Old Street I was very enthusiastic. I was very underwhelmed.
The venue was fantastic but the actual experience felt pointless. Kind of like a warm bath in the dark for an hour. I was uncomfortable and bored in the water.
After the first 20 minutes I was just counting down the time till the timer went off and I could get out. At one stage I thought they had forgotten about me but I’m stubborn and stayed put till the water started to drain.
- Pro: I got to live out an iconic Simpsons episode.
- Cons: Expensive, It was boring, I felt more pain in my lower back and a bit of the water got in my eye which stung!
- Overall, If you want a very expensive and long lukewarm bath inside an egg-shaped coffin this one's for you.
Cryotherapy
My thoughts, I have tried two types of cryotherapy, one was localised the other was a full body unit. The full body unit I did for a period of 4 months while working in a clinic that had the facilities. I did it everyday post training. I feel bad for saying it but I really felt no difference.
The localised one I only did once so I can’t really comment on the effectiveness of it. I went to see if it would help with an ankle injury after a failed leg lock escape. I felt no relief after the session.
- Pro: You get a cool picture for instagram (pun very much intended)
- Cons: Expensive (Ok, I sound very cheap now) and not effective.
- Overall, not worth your time. (Just my opinion)
Photo by CryoBuilt Everest on Unsplash
