•  You should wait at least 72 hours after an injury to have the area worked on by a massage professional.  When the body is ready, massage will help to balance the soft tissue, and restore circulation to the areas that need revitalizing bloodflow.  

The body can heal more naturally and compensation patterns (which can last years or a lifetime) can be avoided.  In many instances after an injury or as the result of improper body mechanics used throughout the day, the body will naturally develop a "compensation pattern".  The healing of soft tissue damage or formation of scar tissue can lead to fascial restriction and ischemia will occur (this means the blood supply to the soft tissues is reduced and the surrounding tissues are deprived of vital oxygen, which leads to further problems like spasms and cramps).