A question that our massage therapists at Ballaura Wellness Spa in Olympia get a lot is “How often should I be getting a massage?”. It is very important to finding out what your body needs based on your lifestyle, occupation, health, etc. Here, we take a look at groups of people and the frequency in which they should be getting massaged per month.
The Athlete: Once per week- Once every other week
Athletes should be getting regular massages due to the high intensity in which they are training their bodies on the regular. Therefore, it is recommended to be getting massaged at least every other week (if not every week!). Massage helps reduce the formation of scar tissue and improves the healing process, both which are very important to athletes as they rebuild their muscles throughout their training. Massage also improves circulation, another important factor that can make a huge difference in an athlete’s training regime with their muscle repair.
The Weekend Warrior: Once every two weeks- Once every three weeks
The Weekend Warrior is the 9-5er that goes for it all on their days off (the weekend). Most days, they’re at work and accumulating work related stress on the body, but top it off with intensive working out that they only do one or two days per week. This process can put a lot of stress on the body. It is recommended to be getting massaged at least once every three weeks (or every two) to help aid in healthy tissue repair and reduce pain felt from the intensive workouts that the body is going through. Massage will also help with the accumulation of work-related stress.
Stressed Out: Once every three weeks- Once per month
Those that are stressed out can benefit immensely from massage. Massage itself is inherently relaxing and calms the nervous system, reducing symptoms of anxiety and tension. Massage can also target trigger points and points of tension, reducing accumulated stress that the body has picked up. A monthly maintenance massage is greatly beneficial for those that are stressed out. That time also allows the individual to make time for themselves, relaxing and unwinding from the stressors of life on the regular.
Moms: Once every three weeks- Once per month
Let’s face it- being a mom is a job itself and can be very tough on the body both physically and mentally. Stress and tension often accumulate in the shoulders and backs from carrying younger children, and it is often difficult to get that time alone to relax and de-stress. A monthly massage is a great time to paper yourself and take that time to relax for moms. It’s also a great time to work through tension build up in the muscles from the physically demanding labors of being a mom.
Injuries: It all depends on the severity, location, and time of injury
At Ballaura Wellness Spa, our massage therapists see a lot of injury-related massages. Massage is great for the healing process of soft tissue injuries in that it aids with circulation, reduction of scar tissue formation, and improvement in range of motion. After seeing your therapists for the initial massage session, the frequency in which you should be getting massaged will be evaluated based on the findings of the therapist and the instructions on the insurance referral. It is not uncommon for injury-related massage clients to come in once a week to help with the healing process.
Chronic Pain: It depends on the individual
Since massage helps with reduction in pain and calms the nervous system, it is a great option for those who suffer from chronic pain. Chronic pain clients are somewhat like injury-related massage clients in that the frequency for receiving massage in all depends on the individual’s situation. Some chronic pain clients come on once a week to help manage their symptoms while others might come in every two or three weeks. Your massage therapist will make a recommendation based on their findings from the initial treatment session.
FAQs
It is recommended to be getting massaged at least once every three weeks (or every two) to help aid in healthy tissue repair and reduce pain felt from the intensive workouts that the body is going through. Massage will also help with the accumulation of work-related stress.
How often should you get a massage for best results? ›
Weekly or bi-weekly massage can help you get in proper shape and help a speedy recovery after an event or competition. Pre-event massage is used to warm up and stretch muscles aiding in injury prevention by stimulating blood flow, removing lactic acid build-up from the muscle fibres.
How long should you wait between massages? ›
Massage treatments for conditions such as back pain or frozen shoulder should also be scheduled at a rate that allows the injured part to rest and recover between sessions. It is recommended to wait at least 48 hours between each deep tissue massage session.
How often do you get a professional massage? ›
For general tune-ups, consider scheduling a massage every four to six weeks. If you have a chronic condition or specific areas of strain and tension, consider scheduling a message every one to three weeks. If you're still unsure how often to get a massage, consider scheduling a consultation appointment.
How often is a massage good for you? ›
To get the most out of your massage, it is recommended that you get them once per week or at least one massage every couple of weeks. Doing so can help keep your muscles relaxed and healthy. Additionally, it can help reduce the risk of injury and improve your overall well-being.
Is it better to get a massage right after working out or next day? ›
Research has determined that the very best time to receive a sports massage is 45 minutes after your workout of the day (WOD), but that the human body also benefits greatly from massage within the first 1-24 hours post-WOD.
Are monthly massages worth it? ›
Including massage therapy in your busy schedule at least once a month can save time as well as relief body tension and stress in your mind that will keep you going strong physically and mentally.
Can too much massage be bad? ›
Massage therapy is a great way to recuperate from injuries faster and can be vital for helping athletes reach peak physical fitness when playing sports. However, too much manipulation of sensitive areas and injured muscles is actually detrimental to the body's natural recovery process.
How do I know if my massage therapist is good? ›
A great massage therapist has excellent interpersonal skills and can create a rapport with a client that helps put them at ease during treatment. They answer questions readily and explain what they are doing during a massage.
Is it better to get a massage in the morning or Evening? ›
Is a Massage Better in the Morning or Evening? Some experts swear that getting a massage in the morning or evening is better than the other. In reality, it solely depends on your lifestyle. The morning is advantageous if you're extremely busy later in the day.
Tell the therapist if you have these conditions
- Contagious skin conditions (boils, warts, or herpes)
- Other skin conditions (burns, rashes, or sores)
- Circulatory system issues (high blood pressure, varicose veins, or stroke)
- Digestive system issues (ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, or colitis)
- Edema.
If you need your full body massaged such as your back, arms, legs, neck and feet then a 90-minute massage is highly recommended.
How long do most massage therapists last? ›
The average lifespan of a massage career is 5-8 years, according to various reports. That's not very long. The most likely cause of this short lifespan is injury or burnout. Both of these problems are preventable.
How to get the most out of your massage? ›
10 tips to get the most from your massage
- Be as receptive and open to the massage process as possible.
- Don't eat just before a massage session. ...
- Be on time. ...
- Take off only as much clothing as you are comfortable removing. ...
- Communicate with your massage therapist. ...
- Remember to breathe normally.
Since tips are standard protocol for massage therapists, you should assume a 20 percent tip in any massage or spa treatment situation (unless a self-employed therapist specifically tells you their rate is all-inclusive). Not sure? When in doubt, always ask, says Post, who says tipping is always appreciated.
What is the best frequency for massage? ›
Therefore, it is recommended to be getting massaged at least every other week (if not every week!). Massage helps reduce the formation of scar tissue and improves the healing process, both which are very important to athletes as they rebuild their muscles throughout their training.
How often is best to get a massage? ›
“As often as you can, you should be getting a massage,” says Mendez. “Competitive athletes do it one to two times a week. The average person should aim for once a month or every other month.” Moy believes it's better to start with more frequent treatments for the first few weeks.
How long do the benefits of a massage last? ›
Your muscles feel looser, your mind feels clearer, and any tension or stress you were carrying seems to have melted away. These effects can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days, depending on the type of massage and your individual body's response.
Is it better to shower before or after a massage? ›
While there are no hard-and-fast rules, most therapists and seasoned spa-goers agree that showering before a massage - whether it be an in-home massage or at a salon -can significantly enhance your experience.
How long should you rest after a massage? ›
To experience the maximum benefits of a sports massage, you should rest for 24-48 hours after a massage to allow time for muscle recovery. You shouldn't workout within this timeframe, but you can partake in light exercises, such as walking, swimming, and gentle yoga.
There are no standard guidelines for the number of massages you can get, but a massage therapist or your doctor may be able to recommend a frequency and duration that work best for your needs. Massages for injury are typically more frequent, while massages for pampering or relaxation purposes can occur less often.
Are massages actually healthy? ›
Studies of massage benefits have found massage can: Help reduce stress. Lessen pain and muscle tightness. Increase relaxation.
What does a full body massage do to your body? ›
Massage therapy is extremely effective at moving blood around the body. The techniques and pressure used can help to heal muscles throughout the body. As the pressure is alleviated, new blood can flow through. The increased blood flow as a result of massages can help to support your blood pressure.
How long after a massage do you see results? ›
With the correct massage techniques you should see (or feel) the benefits straight away. It also depends on what you want to achieve at the end of the treatment, so you can focus on that too.
Is 2 massages a week too much? ›
“As often as you can, you should be getting a massage,” says Mendez. “Competitive athletes do it one to two times a week. The average person should aim for once a month or every other month.” Moy believes it's better to start with more frequent treatments for the first few weeks.
How long does it take to get good at massage? ›
Generally, with consistent practice and proper training, beginners can start to feel comfortable and proficient within a few months to a year. However, mastery and expertise often come with years of experience and continued learning.
