How Often Should You Get a Massage? The Answer May Surprise You

Chances are, if you’re a regular reader of this blog, you already know the reasons why massages are beneficial to both your long term and short term health. But, just to sum up, massage therapy can help:

• Effectively reduce stress
• Alleviate pain and muscle tension
• Improve circulation
• Reduce inflammation
• Help you sleep
• Boost your immune system
• And just feels so darn good!

Since massage therapy is clearly amazing for both your physical and emotional well-being, clients ask me all the time how often they should get a massage. I’ll be honest: there is no perfect answer. The beauty of massage therapy is that it really all depends on who you are as the individual and the current state of your health.

If you have a chronic problem (say, an injury or back problems), you will need to get massages on a regular basis (i.e., 2-3 times a month) until there is improvement. If it is a new pain or injury, I tell my clients to pay attention to how their body responds to the massage and we can adjust treatment accordingly.

If you have a diagnosed health issue that causes chronic pain, stress, or discomfort, I usually recommend massages at least every two weeks. I have several clients with fibromyalgia and receiving massages twice a month decreases some of their symptoms. This schedule has shown benefits for clients suffering from chronic tension headaches as well.

If you’re in relatively good health and enjoy a regular massage, I recommend getting a massage at least once a month to fully benefit from it. This frequency will keep work out the kinks and restrictions and help you avoid repetitive stress injuries. It also gives you something to look forward to – an hour (or more) of time just for you. I also recommend partaking in other self-care methods like chiropractic, acupuncture, and, of course, regular exercise. Massage is a great way to round out your overall health and wellness.

Wondering how long of a massage session to get? Read this article for pointers on which length of massage session to book with your therapist.

What have you found works best for you?