How Often Should You Get a Massage?
If you love how you feel after a massage, you may have wondered: How often should I actually be getting one?
The answer isn't the same for everyone.
There isn't a magic number of massages that everyone needs each month. The ideal frequency depends on your goals, activity level, stress, symptoms, and what you're hoping to get out of massage therapy.
For some people, a massage every few weeks is part of their regular wellness routine. For others, massage may be most helpful during periods of increased activity, stress, or when they're dealing with a specific area of discomfort.
MASSAGE DOESN’T HAVE TO BE A “ONCE IN A WHILE” TREAT
Many people think of massage as something you book when you're really sore or as an occasional treat.
While massage can certainly feel relaxing, massage therapy can also be part of a regular approach to taking care of your body.
Regular massage may help support:
Muscle relaxation
Mobility
Recovery from physical activity
Awareness of areas of tension
Stress management
General relaxation and well-being
The key is finding a frequency that makes sense for your body and your lifestyle.
SO, HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU GET A MASSAGE?
EVERY 2-4 WEEKS
For many people, every 2–4 weeks can be a reasonable starting point for maintaining a regular massage routine.
This may work well if you:
Exercise regularly
Have a physically demanding job
Experience recurring muscle tension
Spend a lot of time sitting or at a desk
Want massage to be part of your regular wellness routine
Enjoy the relaxation benefits of massage
You don't necessarily need to wait until something hurts before booking your next appointment.
ONCE A MONTH
A monthly massage can be a great option for someone who wants to incorporate massage into their routine without needing frequent appointments.
A monthly appointment can give you dedicated time to check in with how your body is feeling and address areas of tension before they become bigger concerns.
For many people, it's also an easy schedule to remember: one massage a month.
MORE FREQUENTLY DURING BUSY OR ACTIVE PERIODS
There may be times when you benefit from massage more frequently.
For example, you may temporarily increase the frequency of your appointments if you're:
Training for an event
Increasing your exercise volume
Starting a new workout routine
Working long or physically demanding shifts
Experiencing increased muscle tension
Recovering from a particularly demanding period of activity
The goal isn't to book more massages just because you can. It's about matching your treatment frequency to what your body is experiencing.
LESS FREQUENTLY
You may not need a massage every few weeks.
If you don't experience much muscle tension, have a relatively low physical workload, and primarily enjoy massage for relaxation, you may prefer booking every 4–8 weeks or simply when you feel like you need it.
There's no requirement to maintain a specific schedule.
WHAT ABOUT WHEN YOU’RE IN PAIN?
If you're experiencing pain, your ideal massage frequency may be different.
Rather than simply booking repeated massages and hoping the problem goes away, it's important to understand why you're experiencing the pain in the first place.
Massage can be one component of a treatment plan, but persistent or recurring pain may require a broader assessment.
Depending on your symptoms, your massage therapist may recommend working alongside other healthcare professionals, such as a physiotherapist, to address the underlying issue.
MASSAGE BEFORE OR AFTER EXERCISE?
Massage can be incorporated into an active lifestyle, but timing matters depending on what you're trying to achieve.
If you're using massage for relaxation or general muscle maintenance, scheduling it around your normal training routine may work well.
If you're preparing for a major event or competition, it's worth discussing your massage timing with your therapist so the treatment can be appropriately tailored to your training schedule.
A very intense massage immediately before strenuous activity may not be appropriate for everyone.
IS MORE MASSAGE ALWAYS BETTER?
Not necessarily.
Your body needs time to respond to treatment, and more isn't automatically better.
Your massage therapist can help determine an appropriate treatment frequency based on:
Your goals
Your symptoms
Your activity level
Your response to previous treatments
Your overall health
The type and intensity of massage being performed
The goal is to find the right amount of treatment for you, rather than simply scheduling as often as possible.
WHAT TYPE OF MASSAGE SHOULD YOU GET?
How often you book can also depend on what type of massage you're receiving.
At Sitka Health Collective, our massage therapy team offers a variety of approaches depending on your needs, including therapeutic and relaxation-focused treatments.
You may want a more focused treatment when you're dealing with a specific area of muscle tension, while a relaxation-focused massage may be better when your main goal is to slow down and unwind.
Not sure which type is right for you? Your massage therapist can help you choose based on your goals.
HOW DO YOU KNOW IT’S TIME FOR YOUR NEXT MASSAGE?
Instead of waiting until you're extremely sore, consider booking when you notice things like:
Increased muscle tension
Reduced mobility
Feeling physically run down
Increased training or activity
Stress building up
Recurring areas of tightness
Difficulty relaxing
Your body simply feeling like it needs some attention
Your massage doesn't have to be a response to a problem. It can also be part of your regular self-care routine.
DON’T WAIT UNTIL DECEMBER TO USE YOUR BENEFITS
If you have massage therapy benefits through your extended health plan, you're not alone if you find yourself looking at your remaining coverage near the end of the year and thinking, "I need to use all of this!"
But trying to squeeze an entire year's worth of massage appointments into the final few weeks of December isn't necessarily the best approach for your body — or your massage therapist's schedule.
Instead of waiting until the end of the year and suddenly booking a massage every week, consider spacing your appointments throughout the year.
For example, if your benefits cover one massage per month, booking approximately once a month allows you to:
Make consistent use of your benefits
Address muscle tension before it builds up
Maintain a regular wellness routine
Avoid trying to book multiple appointments during the busy holiday season
Give your body consistent attention throughout the year
Even if you have a larger annual benefit amount, you can work with your massage therapist to create a schedule that makes sense for you.
And remember: your benefits are there to support your health throughout the year, not just in December.
If you know you have massage coverage, take a look at your annual allowance and divide it across the year. A little planning can turn "I need to use my benefits!" into a consistent routine that actually benefits your body.
THE BOTTOM LINE
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to how often you should get a massage.
For some people, every 2–4 weeks works well. For others, monthly, every 6–8 weeks, or simply when needed is a better fit.
The best schedule is one that supports your goals, fits your lifestyle, and leaves your body feeling better — not one that follows an arbitrary number.
At Sitka Health Collective, our massage therapists can work with you to determine what type of treatment and frequency makes sense for you.
Ready to book your next massage? Give your body the time and attention it deserves.
