How often is it good to get a massage? This Question is raised almost every time someone new comes to me. I give the same answer every time: On a regular Basis
How often is regular ? They will ask. Any rhythm that is a rhythm
which will make the most sense to you in respect to sustaining results and feelings from the session.
My advice: make it a rhythm.
Good habits create a good ground to grow. Once something good is a habit you will need to think less about it, it becomes second nature.
Most of my clients come every week, every two weeks, every three weeks.
Some others every month.
Or every two.
Massage is not needed on a daily basis.
But you want it as a part in your life. I mean, I do not want to convince you. People who do have massage in their life are happy about that. That I see and I know why.
It is like brushing your teeth.
My guess is that you want to do that rather regularly.
Feels better, smells better, looks better...it actually is better.
So with your body.
You want to treat it nicely and a massage is doing that on so many levels.
You / your body will feel and be better.
Though… massaging it yourself is like brushing your teeth with your fingers.
It is possible, but skilled hands from another person brings a whole lot more benefits.
WHY IS A "MASSAGE HABIT" A GOOD IDEA?
Among all the many (a generic list below),
there is one benefit I see and I like the most of people having a regular massage habit:
it is heightened and fine tuned awareness.
Clients who come regularly cultivate a heightened awareness for their body, their interoception, their connection towards how they feel and how they respond according to their body-feel.
A feature which I found to be of tremendous value for having a good time in life.
We experience throughout our life different phases. Sometimes there will be some sort of illness, injuries or just the adaptation of being a constantly changing human being that needs us to change and adapt to find our balance and center.
To be able to sense ourselves is an ability to fine tune to what we need and respond with sensitivity and in a caring way.
It makes life much nicer. We - so to say - know ourselves.
more benefits
that massage therapy can provide range from both physical and emotional health:
rehabilitation
postural alignment
strengthening the immune system
stress reduction
feeling emotionally better; increased energy
lowering blood pressure
increased circulation
stimulation of the lymph system, the body’s natural defense against toxic invaders
release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkiller (mainly oxytocin)
improved range of motion and decreased discomfort associated with lower back pain
relaxation of injured and overused muscles
reduced muscle spasms and cramping
increased joint flexibility
help recover from strenuous workouts
pain relief from migraines
to reduce post-operative adhesions and edema, as well as reduced scar tissue
I could go on...
Massage is a common, normal part of life in many cultures
People go and receive a massage like they go out to get food to have at home, or clean their house or talk to friends. It is just something they do.
Receiving massages maintains, supports and enhances well-being.
Even with an unsteady rhythm receiving massage is a great anchor to center and resource energies.
The more it is a habit, the merrier.
If you like the idea - to figure a suiting rhythm I suggest the following.
As a preliminary for having massages on a regular basis - of course - you need to know WHO is your matching Therapist .
There is no tinder for that. But I will give you some ideas on what to look for in a next post.
How to build a massage habit
1. Find a massage therapist
you can tell by how you feel within the first contact and appointment if you feel safe and supported an
2. Try out different day times
some people like it just the first thing in the morning to go along with their days afterwards, other as a break in between things, other at the end of the day - try it out.
3. Leave between 1-2-3-4 weeks between each appointment
During the time between appointments observe how your body/mind feels
How long does the session nurture you?
How long does the session need time so that you feel you integrated the input?
When is your body calling for more?
4. Schedule massage therapy in your calendar
Use the above observations to find your individual rhythm.
I often schedule two to three appointments in advance.
That allows to actually have appointments when wanted
And it becomes "just a (very good) habit"
Scheduling something we want to do in the calendar is a trick I love about creating new habits. Your calendar will let you know that this is whats scheduled :-). Some studies suggest that you need to repeat 66 times something in order to create a new habit.
Habits are things we do repeatedly. They form our way of living.
And if something is a habit, it also means: we do not need to think/struggle about it.
We do it cause we do it (the nature of a habit)
So...
The more good habits we have, the more probably we will feel good.
It all starts with a decision.
Repetition solidifies the way and once you do not do your habit, you will miss it and remember to do it :-) !
" Excellence... is not an act but a habit", says Aristote. "We are what we repeatedly do" he says too.
I am curious: how it is for YOU?
What is it that YOU love about receiving a (good!) Massage ?
👇 leave me a comment
Want to check out the magic of Habits?
“The Power of Habit” by award-winning New York Times business reporter Charles Duhigg. Explaining with scientific background why habits exists and how they can be changed.
“The Now Habit - A Strategic Program for Overcoming Procrastination and Enjoying Guilt-Free Play" by Neil Fiore, Ph.D, psychologist and personal coach
And for those who love to track their habits and create some motivation and reward: “The Bulletjournal” a New York Bestseller by Ryder Carroll.