How Often Should You Get a Massage?
One of the most common questions I get asked, by massage newbies and veterans alike, is some variation of, “How often should I get massage.” I’m gonna sound like a broken record, and you might be tired of hearing it but… It depends. I’m sorry, but it’s true. I lied… I’m not really sorry. #SorryNotSorryWhy Do You Get Massage?
The answer to the “how often” question is going to depend on why you’re getting massage in the first place, and what you do at home that either helps or hinders your cause.
It depends on:
- what your massage goals are
- if you have pain or tension
- how much pain you have
- how long you’ve had pain
- if your pain has become intractable
- how much muscle tension you have
- how long you’ve had that tension
- whether you have nerve pain
- whether you have numbness
- if you have an injury
- how much stress you have
- how well you manage your stress
- if your range of motion (ROM) is limited
- how well your body responds to your therapist’s style of massage
- the results you’re getting (or not getting) from massage
- if you do (or don’t do) the home care your therapist recommends
- if you consistently push your body past its limits
- if you routinely get enough rest
- if you routinely get enough sleep (NOT the same thing as rest… read this post to find out more about the difference)
- how much time you have to spend getting massage
- how much money you have to spend on massage
Ultimately the answer will come from you and shouldn’t be dictated solely by your therapist. That said, it is a good idea to collaborate with your therapist to come up with a treatment plan that, among other things, has a recommended frequency that you both feel comfortable with.
One of the most common questions I get asked, by massage newbies and veterans alike, is some variation of, “How often should I get massage.” I’m gonna sound like a broken record, and you might be tired of hearing it but… It depends. I’m sorry, but it’s true. I lied… I’m not really sorry. #SorryNotSorry
