How Often Should You Get Massage?

The question of how often to get massage therapy and bodywork in San Antonio comes up quite often. As a Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Neuromuscular Therapist, and Certified Advanced Myoskeletal Therapist I've formed some general conclusions over the past 10 years of practice. These are just examples - your individual condition and goals may lead you and your massage therapist to come to different conclusions about the frequency of massage for you.

Massage for General Health and Relaxation

For general health and relaxation I recommend massage 1-2 times per month for people under light to moderate stress. This would also include people who are sedentary or who exercise only occasionally. Receiving massage therapy once or twice per month can have excellent health benefits and help reduce the effects of stress.

Massage for Stress Management

For people who have high-stress occupations or living conditions, or who travel frequently, I recommend a higher frequency of massage therapy - weekly or bi-weekly. In this case, massage therapy helps the individual in coping with their stress. Tension builds up from stressful situations can be more easily managed with weekly massage. Additionally, just knowing that you will be receiving massage therapy each week or every-other-week can be very comforting.

Massage Therapy for Pain Reduction and Management

Reduction of, and management of, pain requires a different type of frequency. I call it a "diminishing frequency". People in severe pain not requiring medical intervention can and do receive massage therapy 1-2 times per week in the first week. Although rare, this may continue in the second and third week of treatment depending upon response of the client to the massage therapy. When the pain is reduced so is the frequency of massage therapy. At first it may be reduced to once per week, then every other week or less often. Even chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia, lupus, carpal tunnel syndrome, tmj-d, sciatica, headaches and migraines, and chronic low back pain can have a diminishing frequency. This type of diminishing frequency is typically used with Neuromuscular Therapy, Ortho-Bionomy, Medical Massage, and Myofascial Release which are powerful massage methods for relieving pain.

Massage Therapy for Athletes

For Athletes the frequency of massage therapy depends on the sport, training schedules, and athletic goals.

If you'd like to discuss the optimal frequency of massage therapy for you, or if you'd like to schedule a massage session please call 210-269-3314