How Often Should You Get A Massage?
This is one of the most common questions clients asks The Wellness Technique about massage.
Answer: Every day! Of course, that is not practical, even though it would be nice.
Realistically, there are no guidelines written in stone for the number of massages you get or how frequently. It all depends on WHY you get massages. Do you get massages for health benefits? Or, to help you relax and handle the stress of everyday life? Most likely, it’s a combination of the two. Many factors can determine how often you should get a massage. For example: If you’re dealing with stress, you may find bi-weekly or monthly is sufficient. Suffering from chronic pain? Perhaps may need to start with weekly sessions. If you are recovering from an injury, it’s possible that several sessions per week may be warranted. Let’s look at some of the most common reasons to receive regular massage therapy:
Relaxation & Stress Relief
One of the very best reasons to get a massage is for relaxation. Relaxation massage helps to support your body, including blood circulation and joint flexibility. Regular massage can help prevent pain, muscle tension, and trigger points from building up and causing problems.
Why wait until you have a problem to get a massage? Massage is perfect for preventing issues with your tissues! Relaxation massage is usually recommended at least once per month, or as often as you want.
There may be times in your life when you experience higher levels of stress and more muscle tension than normal. It is essential to practice good self-care during these times.
When we “don’t have time” for a massage, it is usually when we need one the most. Make yourself a priority even during stressful times; your health is worth it.
If you are in a high-stress job or you work in an office where you stay in a certain position for a long period of time, you may begin to develop tight or “knotted” muscles. This will frequently occur in your shoulders, arms, and back. Tech neck is real! It sounds funny to say, but it’s anything but fun to feel it. Poor posture from the consistent use of computers, phones, and other devices causes chronic neck or shoulder pain, soreness or stiffness. Ouch. All of this increased muscle tension will make movement harder and can cause a great deal of discomfort and then more stress. Regular massage can help to keep you loosened up and will help to prevent painful stiffness.
Living with high levels of stress for a prolonged period of time increases the risk of contracting heart disease and other diseases. It has been estimated that 75 – 90 percent of all visits to primary care physicians are for stress-related problems. The good news is, massage can help! Just knowing your massage is coming up in a few days can help to relieve stress, and a massage every 2-4 weeks will help with stress-related tension.
Sports Recovery
Are you a weekend warrior, or do you just like to stay in shape? Either way, therapeutic massage can help with sports performance and recovery. Many athletes and physically active people receive sports massage because it enhances their performance, prevents injury, and speeds up their muscles' recovery. Competitive sports can put a lot of stress on a person's muscles!
Research conducted at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging at McMaster University in Ontario shows that massage reduces inflammation and stimulates the growth of new mitochondria, which are the energy-producing units in the cells, after strenuous exercise. This means that massage can help relieve pain, build muscles, and help with muscle recovery, too! For these benefits, it is recommended that you get a massage up to three times a week or at least three times a month.
Ongoing Health Conditions
People with ongoing health issues often find massage very helpful in alleviating symptoms. Chronic health problems that greatly benefit from massage therapy include back pain, joint pain, and localized inflammation. If you get treatment for specific issues, the frequency of getting massage therapy varies with the type of condition you have and how severe it is. Relief from pain can usually be achieved with 2-4 massage sessions per month. Your massage therapist will work with you to help you get on the best schedule for your body.
Pregnancy, Prenatal Massage Therapy
Pregnant women can greatly benefit from massage therapy! Prenatal massage is popular among expectant mothers, who often experience a lot of aches and pains as their pregnancy progresses. Many women suffer from back pain, hip & sciatic pain, headaches, and tired legs & feet. But you don’t have to; a certified massage therapist can help to relieve those discomforts.
Going to your massage therapist once or twice a month can help with the symptoms caused by pregnancy, and it can even help improve sleep. Of course, it’s always recommended to check with your doctor and your massage therapist to ensure that you don’t have any pregnancy-related conditions that would contraindicate massage therapy for you. Most women experiencing a healthy pregnancy can and should enjoy regular massage sessions.
Consistency is key!
Having consistently spaced out massage sessions allows you to get the most out of your results. Each session is cumulative and builds on the last session. This is why your therapist may encourage you to book your next few appointments immediately after your session to assist you in staying on track.
Consider your budget
Let’s not pretend that massages can be expensive. Only you can find the frequency that fits your financial standing. Finding that sweet spot for the frequency of your massages is your own personal journey. However, do consider weighing out the expense of a massage versus the expense of constant pain leading to actual monetary expenses in the long run. Just remember, do not list it in your budget as something special or as a treat. Prioritize it as treating yourself well.