Marathon Prep and Recovery: Midtown Wellness Supports Runners Every Step of the Way

At Midtown Wellness Covent Garden, we understand the dedication and determination it takes to train for a marathon. Whether you're lacing up for your first 10K or you're a seasoned long-distance runner, your body undergoes immense physical stress throughout your training and on race day. That’s why our multidisciplinary team is here to support you with expert care, from prep to recovery, using a tailored combination of hands-on therapy, rehabilitation exercises, and advanced techniques like Shockwave Therapy.

Why Runners Need a Recovery Plan – Before and After the Race

Training for a marathon involves repetitive strain, muscle fatigue, joint loading, and often biomechanical imbalances. Without the right recovery strategies, runners can experience:

• Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS)

• Tendon injuries like Achilles tendinopathy

• IT band syndrome

• Shin splints

• Overuse injuries

An effective recovery plan not only reduces pain and inflammation but also improves performance, aids tissue repair, and prevents chronic injuries.

Hands-On Therapy: The Foundation of Effective Marathon Recovery

Manual therapy, including osteopathy, physiotherapy, and sports massage, plays a crucial role in both preparing the body for race day and accelerating post-race recovery.

Studies have shown that hands-on treatment can:

• Improve range of motion and circulation
  → A 2016 review in Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies found that massage improves blood flow and lymphatic drainage, reducing post-exercise inflammation and swelling.

• Reduce pain and muscle soreness
  → Research in Pain Medicine (2017) supports that manual therapy significantly reduces DOMS and perception of pain in athletes post-event.

• Correct biomechanical dysfunctions
  → Osteopathic treatment has been shown to realign posture and improve joint mobility, particularly in lower limbs, hips, and spine—key areas for runners (BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 2015).

Our osteopaths, Physiotherapists and sports therapists use a range of techniques tailored to runners—soft tissue release, joint mobilisation, dry needling, and cupping—to help your body function at its best.

Rehabilitation: Functional Movement for Long-Term Performance

Recovery isn’t just about what happens on the treatment table. Rehab is where short-term gains become long-term resilience.

At Midtown Wellness, our team develops individualised rehabilitation plans that focus on:

• Muscle balance and flexibility

• Strengthening key running muscles (glutes, calves, hamstrings)

• Improving gait and running mechanics

• Injury prevention strategies

We incorporate functional strength exercises, mobility drills, and stretching sequences specifically designed for runners to return stronger and prevent re-injury.

Advanced Recovery: Shockwave Therapy for Stubborn Injuries

Some injuries need more than hands-on care alone. That’s where Shockwave Therapy comes in—a non-invasive treatment that uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate healing in deep tissues.

It’s particularly effective for:

• Plantar fasciitis

• Achilles tendinopathy

• Hamstring and patellar tendinopathies

• Chronic muscular trigger points

According to a 2020 meta-analysis published in Clinical Rehabilitation, shockwave therapy was found to be significantly more effective than placebo or traditional physiotherapy for treating chronic tendinopathies, especially in athletes.

At Midtown Wellness, our osteopaths and shockwave-qualified therapists use this technology to reduce pain, break down scar tissue, and stimulate collagen production, helping you recover faster and train with confidence.

The Midtown Wellness Difference

Our team is made up of skilled professionals with years of experience treating runners—from elite athletes to weekend warriors. We speak your language, understand the demands of endurance sports, and tailor every session to your unique goals.

With our holistic and integrated approach, you benefit from:

Expert osteopathy and physiotherapy
Sports massage by therapists with athletic backgrounds
Rehabilitation and assisted stretching
Advanced therapies like Shockwave and Medical Acupuncture
Warm, welcoming treatment rooms in central London

We Accept a Wide Range of Health Insurance Plans

At Midtown Wellness Covent Garden, we believe that expert care should be both accessible and stress-free. That’s why we accept a broad range of private health insurance providers, so you can focus on your recovery while we help with the paperwork.

We currently work with:

• Bupa

• AXA Health

• Cigna

• Vitality Health

• WPA

• AVIVA

• Healix

• HealthShield

• Westfield Health

• BHSF

Sports Massage Coverage:
Insurance providers like Westfield Health, HealthShield, and BHSF often offer reimbursement for sports massage and other wellness treatments through their health cash plans. Coverage may vary, so it’s always a good idea to check your individual policy details.

Not sure what’s included in your plan? Our friendly team is happy to guide you through verifying your benefits and submitting any necessary claims.