How Often Should I Get a Massage?
Every day! Well, maybe that’s not practical, even though it would
be nice. This is one of the most common questions clients ask about massage
therapy, and it really 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, so let’s look at some of the
most common
reasons to get regular massages:
reasons to get regular massages:
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
flexibility of joints. Regular massage can help prevent pain, muscle tension,
and stress 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 where you experience higher levels
of stress and more muscle tension than normal. It is especially important to
practice good self-care during these times. When we “don’t have time” for a
massage, 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 environment
where you stay in a certain position for a long period of time (at a computer
for example), you may begin to develop tight or “knotted” muscles. This will
frequently occur in your shoulders, arms, and back. All of this increased
muscle tension will make movement harder and can cause a great deal of pain.
Regular massage can help to keep you loosened up and will help to prevent pain
and stiffness.
Living with high levels of stress for a prolonged amount 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, 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, 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.
Chronic Health Conditions
People with ongoing health issues often find massage very helpful
to alleviate symptoms. Chronic health problems that greatly benefit from
massage therapy include back pain, joint pain, and localized inflammation. If
you get therapy 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
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 you sleep better. Of course, it’s always a good idea 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.
So, to sum up...
There is no one size fits all answer to this FAQ. Ultimately, the choice is yours as to how often you would like to receive massage therapy. Of course I am always happy to make a recommendation based on my professional experience. Together, we can come up with a treatment plan that best suits your personal needs.
So, to sum up...
There is no one size fits all answer to this FAQ. Ultimately, the choice is yours as to how often you would like to receive massage therapy. Of course I am always happy to make a recommendation based on my professional experience. Together, we can come up with a treatment plan that best suits your personal needs.
