Frequency of Massage

Better Known as the
“How Often Should I Get a Massage?” Question.

shadoW0W

Truth be known, the frequency of massage varies from person-to-person, and by what they are trying to accomplish with the use of massage therapy. Additionally, the funding source for massage therapy will also ultimately dictate massage frequency.

I know. These are all wishy-washy answers. Unfortunately, until I see you for a massage therapy evaluation, I really can’t tell you how often you should come in for a massage, or for what duration.

That being said, I can give you some general guidelines regarding how often you should come in for a massage session. Perhaps for now, you can equate your current situation with one of these scenarios.

Weekly
Many of my chronic pain clients come weekly. Usually, clients like this have a serious chronic pain problem which has failed to resolve itself with conventional means. Weekly massage sessions keeps their pain at bay, and allows them to live a functional life.

Another group of clients who seek weekly massage sessions are people who have suffered an acute injury (i.e. “I pulled my back out this weekend”). Generally, I found this client group comes in for about 3-4 weekly massage sessions, then taper their sessions down to every two weeks for about a month. Finally they may opt to come in for a once a month “tune-up” massage session to keep a low-grade chronic pain problem from flaring-up.

The last group of clients would benefit from a weekly massage session schedule would be persons desiring to straighten out their posture. An aggressive plan of 7 weekly massage sessions usually is enough to get poor posture back on the right track. Skipping a week, or going to a bi-weekly massage frequency usually does not permit regaining proper posture because of “backsliding”.

Bi-weekly (or twice a month)
Receiving a massage every other week is a good massage frequency for medium-grade chronic pain clients who generally have their pain under control, but are susceptible to frequent fare-ups. I have a good number of clients who come in regularly every two weeks for massage therapy in this scenario, and it seems this frequency of massage keeps them functioning in their day-to-day activities in spite of their chronic pain condition.

Monthly
Coming in monthly for massage therapy sessions is a good way to keep “tuned-up”. I only have a few clients who use this frequency of massage (most come in more frequently), but getting a massage once per month is the minimum frequency I would ever recommend to anyone. Even if a person is not experiencing a pain problem, monthly massage sessions are a great way to stay healthy, feel relaxed, and get the essential “touch” so many are missing throughout their lives.

As Prescribed (MEDICAL MASSAGE)
If you are one of the few clients who come in for massage therapy as an intervention in the treatment of a diagnosed disease or medical condition, chances are you physician will have written a frequency for massage on his/her prescription pad sheet. Typically in such cases, the frequency of massage will be stated as “2X”, indicating a massage session frequency of 2 times per week. Usually there will also be duration such as 4 or 6 weeks, but of course, this will vary as your physician sees fit.

One important note regarding situations such as this: Always attempt to attend and participate in every prescribed massage therapy session just as stated in the frequency of massage. Not adhering to the prescribed massage frequency is a sure way to get denied by your insurance company under the grounds, “patient did not follow treatment plan as prescribed”. In such case, you’ll be responsible for paying the denied claim, something which is avoidable since all you really had to do was just “show up” to get your massage as directed.

Important Massage Disclaimer

Return from Frequency of Massage back to Massage Prices