How often should I get massage?
This is an interesting question! The answer will vary widely depending on your particular situation. What exactly does that mean? It means that if you’ve been in a car accident or had some kind of work injury, you may need more frequent massages. It could mean that you get a massage once a month just because you like the relaxation factor.
If we’re talking about relaxation factor, there’s no hard and fast rule as to how often you “should” get a massage. I mean, if I could, I’d get some kind of massage every day! But seriously, we have clients who get a weekly massage and some who get monthly treatment. Then there are others who just come whenever the mood strikes them.
Now, if we’re talking about getting massage to treat some kind of issue, then the answer lies in whether or not you are using insurance. Most insurers require a referral and prescription from a doctor, whether a primary care physician or a chiropractic doctor. They will work with you to determine how many sessions you may need and write the rx accordingly. The massage practitioner will follow that guideline and focus the treatment to the area(s) specified. Then there are cases where the patient will use the insurance benefit up and continue to see the therapist after that, because they feel so good about the progress they are making.
Seriously, how often?
The answer varies. We have patients who come twice a week to deal with tissue injuries from auto accidents or work injuries, or even sports injuries. Your muscles have memory. Have you ever heard the term “muscle memory”? You hear this often in the sports world, where athletes train and find the perfect form/function and repeat it over and over until they don’t have to think about it anymore and it becomes natural and automatic. Think pitchers throwing certain pitches, or boxers throwing punches, or gymnasts performing acrobatics. The movements become second nature. The muscles in your body can become trained in the same way. Maybe you have a certain movement at work that creates muscle tension, or “knots”, or you need to improve your posture. By using massage, you can “retrain” your muscles to decrease the tension and soreness. If there is an injury and your body is stressed, massage can help release the tension, break up scar tissue, alleviate inflammation, and tell your brain to heal those areas.
Many massage practitioners do bodywork such as Craniosacral or Bowenwork. These techniques involve very light touch working with your central nervous system to send messages to your brain that help your body heal itself or reset itself. Some conditions like constipation, insomnia, anxiety and depression, menstrual issues, etc. can be helped with the use of these techniques.
Let’s say you have swelling. Doing a lymphatic drainage massage can help reduce the amount of swelling by directing your body to drain off excess fluid.
On the flip side of the coin, if you are looking to relax and practice self-care, once a month is a great way to relax and reset your body. Then there are those who come just a few times a year. It’s really a great way to show your body you care about it.
So, with all that being said, it’s completely up to you how often you want to get massage, in tandem with your other healthcare providers and recommendations from them and your massage therapist.
What do you say? Book a massage today!
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