How Often Should I Get a Massage?

Posted: November 2nd, 2012

Everyone's body is different so massage needs will vary from person to person. The general rule of thumb is to get a massage at least once a month. If you're just starting to use spa treatments as part of a general health and wellness plan try getting a massage weekly. This will help you develop a sense of what your body needs to feel right. If you're an athlete that works their muscles hard daily, going twice a week might be best. People with specific issues or especially stressful lifestyles might also need to increase their visits in the first month or two. When you get to a point where your body feels like it's back to normal visits can decrease. Once a month is perfectly fine if that's what feels right to you. Just remember that the benefits of massage therapy build off of each massage. One treatment begins to work out the issues and the next continues to elevate the effects of the first. If you space out the treatments too much the muscles will revert back to the way they were and you'll be right back where you started. Stretching and meditation is great in between treatments but should not be used in place of massages. Formulating a good routine will take time, but eventually you'll be able to tell exactly what your body needs. Extra stress in life or particularly strenuous physical activity might change the frequency of necessary treatments. Talk with your massage therapist to find a schedule that works best for you and remember to adjust as needed.