Should You See a Myotherapist Before or After a Big Sporting Event?

By Ethan Farr, Myotherapist

It is widely recognized that myotherapy offers numerous benefits for athletes, both in terms of enhancing performance and speeding up recovery. However, many of you may be asking: When is the ideal time to see my myotherapist to ensure I perform at my best during my next event and continue to thrive in future competitions? If you're unsure, this blog post is tailored just for you!
​We'll dive into the timing and benefits of myotherapy before and after your events, helping you make the most of your treatment for optimal results.

Now, should you see a myotherapist before your event to prepare, or should you schedule a session afterward to recover? The answer isn’t a simple one-size-fits-all; it depends on your needs, goals, timing, and what your event entails.
Seeing a myotherapist before an event is all about preparing your muscles, joints, and fascia for the physical demands ahead. Before a big competition, it’s crucial that your muscles are fully “activated” and prepared to perform at their best.
A pre-event session can help with this by targeting specific muscle groups that need to be loosened and activated.Techniques such as soft tissue release and stretching can improve your flexibility and range of motion, ensuring that your body is ready for any movement demands during the event. One of the most important benefits of pre-event myotherapy is injury prevention. By identifying and treating areas of tension, tightness, or past injuries, your myotherapist can help mitigate the risk of strains, sprains, and other common sports injuries. Regular treatment before events can keep your muscles and fascia in top condition, reducing the likelihood of injury during high-intensity activity.
Now the next big question is how long before your event should you schedule your appointment and to that I would suggest that it is best to schedule a session 2-3 days before your event. This gives your body enough time to benefit from the treatment without any lingering soreness or fatigue post treatment.

Post-event myotherapy is all about recovery — helping your body bounce back more quickly from the physical stress it endured during your competition or training. After a high-intensity event, your muscles may feel sore, stiff, or fatigued. Myotherapy helps to alleviate this discomfort by improving circulation, reducing inflammation, and promoting muscle relaxation. Techniques like deep tissue massage and myofascial release can break down muscle adhesions and knots, speeding up the recovery process and static cupping. 
In addition to easing muscle soreness, post-event myotherapy can also help in the repair and restoration of muscle tissue. Intense physical activity can lead to microtears in the muscles, and myotherapy works to accelerate the healing process by increasing blood flow to the affected areas. This increased circulation helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to the muscles, promoting faster tissue regeneration. Moreover, myotherapy supports the body’s natural recovery mechanisms by reducing the build-up of lactic acid, which can contribute to delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).

The timing of post-event treatment is just as important as pre-event preparation. Ideally, you should seek treatment within 24-48 hours after your event. This is the window when your muscles are most receptive to recovery techniques and where the impact of myotherapy can be the most beneficial. Delaying treatment too long may hinder your body’s ability to recover efficiently and delay your return to full performance. In some cases, a follow-up session after a few days may be necessary to address deeper muscle tension or areas that didn’t fully heal after the first treatment.

Both pre- and post-event myotherapy have distinct benefits, but the real magic happens when these sessions are incorporated into a regular routine. Athletes who undergo consistent myotherapy treatments — even outside of specific events — experience long-term improvements in flexibility, strength, and overall performance. Myotherapy can help reduce the risk of chronic injuries, improve posture, and maintain muscle balance, which is essential for preventing overuse injuries that can develop over time.

Are you training for a major sports event? Book an appointment with Ethan to make sure you're in top condition for the big day. He can create a personalised treatment plan to help you perform your best during the event and recover effectively afterward.