Pymble Fun Run: Massage Therapy for Post-Run Recovery

The Pymble Fun Run, on 21 September, brings our community together for a celebration of movement through the tree-lined streets we call home. Sure, crossing the finish line is exhilarating, but how you look after your body afterwards can influence how you feel over the coming days. Massage therapy and dry needling are approaches often used to support muscle recovery and ease post-run tension.

Why Care After Running Matters

Running places natural demands on your body, even during a relaxed community event. Your leg muscles work continuously, your core stabilises with every step, and your cardiovascular system works harder to keep you moving.

This effort can create temporary tightness or delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) that often peaks 24-48 hours after activity (you might notice it most when going up stairs the next day). Hands-on care, such as massage, may help your muscles return to a more relaxed state.

How Massage Therapy May Help

Following a run, massage therapy may encourage circulation, allowing oxygen and nutrients to reach tired muscles while helping to clear away by-products of exercise. Some people notice this can ease tension or reduce discomfort in the days following activity. Others also report feeling more flexible or moving with greater ease after care.

Considering Dry Needling for Targeted Support

For runners who experience specific areas of tightness, dry needling is another approach sometimes used to address muscle tension. This involves placing very fine needles into points within tight muscle bands, which may help release localised tension. When used alongside massage, dry needling can complement recovery, particularly in commonly tight areas such as calves, hamstrings, and hips.