How Often Should You Get a Massage?
While it’s hard to imagine ever having too many massages, the question “how often should you get a massage?” is still challenging to answer. If you’re considering massage therapy, keep in mind that it’s always a good idea to consult your doctor or chiropractor first, especially if you have pre-existing medical conditions.
For most people, though, a massage session can provide a whole host of benefits, especially for pain, stress, and other chronic medical issues. In the end, the answer to “how often should you get a massage?” depends on why you need one in the first place.
General Health Massages
The occasional “relaxation” massage can benefit just about anyone. Benefits of massages include:
- Lower your blood pressure
- Improve your immune system
- Boost your energy.
This makes them ideal for those who live sedentary lifestyles, work desk jobs, or experience mild anxiety or stress regularly.
A routine massage done once or twice a month can also work wonders for those who have trouble sleeping. Plus, monthly and bi-monthly massages can be an excellent solution for people with budget constraints.
Pain Reduction Massages
If you suffer from a disease that causes chronic pain, massage therapy might help keep it at bay. This type of massage was designed for people with arthritis, fibromyalgia, back and neck pain, nerve pain, and pain from past injuries.
If you’ve been prescribed massage therapy by your doctor or chiropractor, your massage regimen will most likely start with appointments multiple times a week. However, as your pain lessens over time, you’ll need them less often. Eventually, your pain may be manageable with a weekly massage or less frequently.
Sports Massages
Those who play professional sports or other high-impact activities may appreciate regular massages to help with muscle relaxation. A massage can help sore and tight muscles recover sooner than they would normally, and a deep muscle massage can help that soreness go away faster, too.
Serious athletes should consult a professional massage therapist to determine how often is appropriate for a sports massage. The answer may depend on your impact level, the sport you play, and other factors.
Massage Therapy for Stress
Stress relief is a well-documented benefit of massage therapy. If you experience chronic anxiety or high stress from your job, regular massages can help reduce that stress significantly.
How often should you get a massage when you only need them for stress relief? The answer depends on your stress levels and your budget. Many massage facilities offer memberships that reduce overall costs for frequent customers, but whether or not a membership like this makes financial sense depends on how often you visit.
If you need advice or massage services in Woodstock, GA, contact Ribley Chiropractic at 770-592-2505 to schedule an appointment or consultation.