Carl

Clients often ask me how often they should get a massage. While there is no one size fits all approach, I usually follow up with other questions before I offer an answer. How often you should get a massage depends on a variety of factors. I’ll cover a few of the basic generalizations to offer you some guidance. Here are some things to think about when you consider how often you should get a massage.

First, what does massage mean to you? Is it a splurge? For pampering? Only something you do on vacation? Or part of your Health Care Plan?

While an infrequent massage feels amazing, the benefits of massage therapy increase dramatically when done regularly, much like yoga or running.

For the majority of my clients, it is part of their primary health care regimen. They put their massage on their calendar early in the month, or they book their next one before leaving my office. This is the best way to ensure that other aspects of their life don’t interfere with their massage schedule.

Taking care of yourself – that is, prioritizing therapy and making it a regular occurrence – means you may have the time and energy for the things that are demanding your time.

So really, how often should you get a massage?

Frequency helps with massage because of the sustained results. We call this the therapeutic effect. Schedule a massage within a week or two of your first (or first in a long time) so you can ride the effects until your next. Over time, the effects will often be sustained so that you never have that “oh my god, I’m dying” feeling while waiting got get in for your next treatment.

If you’re suffering from specific pain, trauma or injury, or you’re looking to make the most of a regular massage routine, you may begin with one treatment a week for 2-6 weeks, then move to once every two weeks for a month or two. From there it depends on the client, recovery, and the intention. Most clients end up on a monthly or biweekly plan.

For some, once a month becomes their regular routine, and with the other healthy habits and activities in their life, this works well. Other clients who are more active, more stressed or for whatever reason, every other week is the right amount.

Clients who are severely stressed or who have high volume or high intensity workouts find that one session a week is ideal.

It really comes down to the individual and what works best for them. After receiving therapy for a prolonged time, clients learn to judge for themselves how often they need massage therapy and they make changes accordingly. Trust your gut.

Also consider all aspects of your health. Sleep patterns, regular travel, family and work demands, digestion or other health issues will have an effect of the body and how you deal with stress. Don’t underestimate these effects on what kind and how often you may want or need massage therapy.

At a minimum, one massage therapy session per month is a good place to start to begin feeling the benefits therapy can offer.

Don’t wait for an Emergency

A lot of people reach out to me when they are in crisis; they’ve injured themselves or their pain level is unbearable. They come in, get a treatment or two, then I won’t hear from them again until the next critical event.

Like the sustained effects I mentioned early, regular massage acts as a preventative to maintain a higher level of health so that fewer crises occur. Receiving massage therapy on a regular basis can help to buffer oneself from severe injury and can help to recover more quickly.

Evidence shows that a consistent self care plan is the most effective means to appreciate the long term effects of massage.

That means one must make a plan to make it happen.

Schedule yourself a massage today, and your body will be happy you did it.