How Often Should You Get a Massage or Sports Massage?

Massage therapy is a great way to relieve stress, reduce muscle tension, and improve overall well-being. But one common question clients often ask is, “How often should I get a massage or sports massage?” The answer depends on your lifestyle, activity level, and specific needs.

For Regular Massage

If your goal is general relaxation, stress reduction, or relief from occasional tension, a regular massage can be incredibly beneficial. Here’s a breakdown based on different needs:

• For Stress Relief: If you’re looking to manage everyday stress, consider getting a massage once a month. This frequency allows you to maintain relaxation and prevent tension from building up.

• For Muscle Tension: If you regularly experience muscle stiffness, especially in the neck or back, a bi-weekly or monthly massage can help prevent chronic pain and discomfort.

• For Chronic Issues: For ongoing problems like migraines, chronic back pain, or anxiety, you may benefit from weekly massages to manage symptoms more effectively.

Regular massage promotes overall well-being, helping you to feel more relaxed, sleep better, and enhance your mood. For example we tailor our treatments to every individual for example we have a client who comes every 4 weeks to ensure she can de-stress from running her own business, her appointments help her to boost energy and work out some tension from her job and business. Her treatment would be a mid to light pressure as per her preference.

For Sports Massage

Athletes and those who regularly exercise may need massages more frequently, particularly when training for an event or dealing with intense physical activity. Sports Massage can also be for anyone, who wants to keep stress and tension under control and generally feel good with no aches or pains. Here’s how often sports massage is recommended:

• Active Athletes: If you’re training regularly or participating in high-impact sports, a weekly or bi-weekly sports massage can keep your muscles in top shape, prevent injuries, and reduce recovery time. More frequent sessions may be necessary during intense training periods.

• Recreational Exercisers: For those who work out a few times a week or play sports recreationally, a monthly sports massage may be sufficient to relieve muscle tension and keep your body well-balanced.

• Post-Injury or Recovery: If you’re recovering from an injury or dealing with muscle soreness, it’s recommended to have a sports massage every 1-2 weeks until you’re back to full strength.

• Maintainence: If you’re aim is to keep your body performing, keeping old niggles at bay, keep stress levels under control or want to do daily activities pain-free then a schedule of every 4-8 weeks would be recommended for a sports massage.

Sports Massage is typically thought to only be for 'sporty people' others will think of it as the type of pressure applied. Although we tailor our treatments to every individual for example we have a client who comes every 8 weeks to ensure he can enjoy retirement, without pain and restrictions in shoulders after having shoulder operations. This gentleman prefers a deeper pressure as he knows that he will get the benefits for those 8 weeks.

Other Factors to Consider

While the above guidelines are helpful, your individual needs may vary based on several factors:

• Age and Physical Condition: Older individuals or those with ongoing physical issues may benefit from more frequent massages.

• Intensity of Physical Activity: The harder you push your body, the more frequently you might need to schedule massages.

• Personal Preference: Some clients simply enjoy the relaxation and recovery benefits of more frequent massages, while others may prefer less frequent sessions for maintenance.

Ultimately, the best guide to how often you should get a massage is your body. Pay attention to how you feel after a massage, and monitor how long the effects last. If you notice tension or soreness building up between sessions, it may be time to increase the frequency.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how often you should get a massage or sports massage, but these general guidelines can help. Whether you're looking to relax or recover from athletic activity, the key is finding a balance that suits your lifestyle and keeps you feeling your best.

If you have any questions about anything I have mentioned above