How Often You Should Get a Massage
Professional massage therapy can be used as a way to reduce pain and muscle tension, relax and let go of stress, recover from (or prevent) injuries, or even just as a way to treat yourself for a special occasion.
There are no “standard guidelines” when it comes to how often you should get a massage—but it is true that various frequencies will provide different results to help you meet your personal goals.
For example, massages to help heal an injury are typically more frequent, while massages for enjoyment purposes alone can usually occur less often. See our break down below to better understand the best option for you.
1. You are generally free of pain and have little stress in your day-to-day life.
Congrats! You are clearly doing something right when it comes to taking care of yourself both mentally and physically. A massage every now and then should be just fine for you–unless you simply enjoy massages. In that case, feel free to go in as often as you like! You may even want to try out specialty massages like ASMR, Ginger Tea or Thai Massage for the opportunity to try something new.
2. You have pain flare-ups on occasion and/or a moderate amount of stress.
In this instance, a monthly massage (or more if you prefer) is likely the best option for you. Full body Swedish techniques paired with deep tissue work on focus areas may help your pain flare-ups occur less often and help you keep your stress level in check. Regular massages are also shown to reduce cortisol levels and give you a better night’s sleep.
3. You have chronic pain that comes back often, you are recovering from an injury, and/or you have high levels of stress or anxiety.
If you are dealing with any of the above issues, a weekly or bi-weekly massage may be the best option for you initially. This will ensure your therapist is not “starting from scratch” after each treatment due to your muscles returning to their previous patterns of dysfunction after too much time passing between sessions. Massage therapy has also been shown to lower stress levels and feelings of anxiety, as well as improve mood. Once your pain and stress levels lessen, then you should be able to come in on a monthly basis for upkeep.
Of course, when it comes to any physical or mental ailments, you’ll also want to check with your doctor to make sure he or she agrees this treatment plan to be the best option for you.
If regular massages aren’t in your budget, this doesn’t mean you should “give up” or feel like you’ll be stressed out or stuck with an injury forever. Consider buying a package, which is more money up front, but saves you in the long-haul, as well as potentially lengthen the time a bit between each session. It can also be helpful to learn some self-massage, stress-reduction, and stretching techniques you can do at home to help provide relief on your own until you’re able to be seen by a massage therapy professional.