Sports massage for runners is not a light pre-event oil-down. Paul Andersen, NMT works the tissues that actually limit stride: calves and Achilles, hip flexors and glutes, TFL and the lateral chain people call the IT band, plus the low-back tightness that appears when mileage outruns recovery. The studio is on El Camino Real in Los Altos, a short drive from the looping routes in Palo Alto, Mountain View, and Sunnyvale.
Built around how you train
Tell Paul what you are building toward — a first 10K, a Boston cycle, or just staying healthy on lunch-hour miles — and he will bias the session there. Pressure is genuinely deep when the tissue can take it, and it backs off when bracing would undo the work. You stay clothed. There are no oils, so you can walk out and train or commute without a greasy afterfeel.
Book heavier work a few days away from a key race, not the night before. In the week after a hard effort, the goal is to restore glide and quiet the spots that would otherwise change your form on the next long run.
Common runner bookings
Calves and Achilles
The first tissues to bark when volume jumps or hills return.
Hips and IT band
Lateral knee or hip tightness that shows up after the same few miles.
Plantar fascia carryover
Heel and arch irritation that is really a calf and load problem. See also plantar fasciitis massage.
Pre- and post-race
Sharpening tissue before a goal race and cleaning up the aftermath after.
Explore related services
Plantar Fasciitis Massage
Hands-on work for the calf, Achilles, and plantar fascia — not a gadget.
Deep Tissue Massage
Strong, precise work for chronic tension and the demands of serious training.
Sciatica Massage
NMT and deep-tissue work for hip and low-back patterns that refer down the leg.
Myofascial Release
Slow, sustained pressure that releases tight fascia and restores glide.
Frequently asked questions
When should a runner book around a race?
Keep deep, change-oriented work several days away from a goal race. The day before is usually the wrong time to chase a stubborn knot. After the race, wait until the worst soreness has settled, then come in to restore range rather than pound already angry tissue.
Is sports massage the same as a spa massage?
No. This is clothed, assessment-led work aimed at how you run. Relaxation can happen, but it is not the point.
Do you treat IT band and plantar fascia issues?
Yes, as soft-tissue patterns. The IT band itself is a thick band of fascia; Paul usually works the muscles that tension it. Heel pain is covered in more depth on the plantar fasciitis page.
Do I need to undress?
No. Wear running shorts or tights you can move in. No oils or draping.