How often should you book a massage?
If you’re thinking about booking a massage, chances are you already know that it brings a whole host of benefits, from relaxation and muscle tension relief to improved circulation. But how often should you get a massage to get the most out of these benefits?
In a perfect world, weekly massages would be lovely! But, understandably, this isn’t always feasible. Busy days, the cost of living, and other commitments can make it tricky to set time aside for a massage treatment.
However, if you’re keen to really reap the physical, mental, and emotional rewards massage therapy can offer, here’s a bit of a guide to help you work out the best booking frequency for your body and circumstances.
Is it healthy to get massages regularly?
Regular massage treatments can absolutely be a healthy addition to your wellness routine. In fact, getting a massage on a regular basis is far more effective than an occasional one-off, helping to:
Lower stress levels
Reduce daily muscle tension
Ease long-term back, neck, and shoulder pain
Offer relaxation
Improve flexibility and range of motion
Support better sleep
Improve mood
If you have any serious health conditions, such as cancer, DVT, severe high blood pressure, or anything else that might be considered a massage contraindication it’s important to speak with your massage therapist as they may need to adapt or reschedule your treatment to ensure it’s safe for you.
Is it possible to get a massage too often?
While daily massage treatments might initially sound heavenly, the phrase ‘too much of a good thing’ springs to mind! Getting professional massage treatments too frequently can lead to:
Muscle soreness (especially if you’re getting deep tissue or sports massage treatments).
Fatigue — tipping the balance can actually leave you feeling drained, rather than restored.
Tingling or light discomfort from nervous system overstimulation.
With this in mind, it’s generally not recommended to get a professional massage treatment more than once a week. This gives your body the chance to recover and take on the benefits.
How often should you get a massage?
So, the big question: exactly how often should you book a massage?
The short answer is… It depends. (Sorry!)
As well as taking the massage type into account (Swedish, lymphatic drainage, sports, deep tissue, Thai, etc…), you need to think about your body’s needs, your stress levels, and what you want to get from the treatment.
As a general rule of thumb, the ideal timeframes for regular wellbeing massage treatments (Swedish or holistic) are:
Every 4–6 weeks for general wellness and stress relief.
Every 2–4 weeks if you experience consistent general muscle tightness (for example, if you work at a desk).
Every 1–2 weeks if you experience chronic stress, anxiety, or burnout.
Every 1–2 weeks if you experience ongoing chronic pain (such as lower back pain).
These timeframes will vary if you have a very active lifestyle or are an athlete looking specifically for sports or deep tissue treatments.
What is the best time of day to get a massage?
The best time of day for a massage really depends on your schedule, lifestyle, and preferences.
Many people enjoy a late afternoon or evening massage as a lovely way to round off the day. It can help you leave the day’s worries and stresses behind, offering a state of relaxation that’s perfect for heading home for a chilled evening and good night’s sleep.
Equally, a morning or lunchtime massage treatment can be an excellent daytime reset, especially if more rejuvenating techniques (like tapotement) are used. Daytime massage can help you feel refreshed and ready to take on the rest of the afternoon feeling more balanced and centred.
I try to offer a broad range of weekday and weekend booking options to cater to different lifestyles and schedules, whether you work a classic 9–5 role, have family commitments, or work shifts. Please feel free to take a look at my Fresha page to see my availability and book a massage treatment.
How do you know if your body needs a massage?
While the frequencies we’ve looked at can be a good guide for massage frequency, the best way to assess how often you should book a massage is to listen to your body. Whether you’re a massage therapy regular or you’re looking for an occasional treatment, here are some signs your body could be in need of some TLC:
Your muscles feel consistently tight, especially around your upper back and shoulders.
You find yourself experiencing frequent headaches.
Your sleep is broken, you keep waking up, or you still feel fatigued in the morning.
You notice that you’re clenching your jaw or that your shoulders are creeping up towards your neck.
You feel less flexible than usual, finding it more difficult to turn your head, bend forward, or reach overhead.
You find yourself slouching or generally having bad posture (especially if you work at a computer).
Your stress levels are consistently high, perhaps manifesting as anxiety, irritability, or low mood.
If these sound familiar, it could be a strong indication that you could benefit from a massage treatment.
Make massage a part of your wellness routine with 3-treatment packages
I completely understand that getting regular massage treatments can feel a bit extravagant and out of budget, especially when you’re not used to incorporating them into your wellness routine.
However, the plethora of short- and long-term benefits that massage therapy can bring really does make regular treatments a worthwhile investment, especially if you experience high stress levels or chronic pain.
If you’re thinking about expanding your self-care to include regular massages, why not take a look at my package deals? You can book a block of three massage sessions (60-minute, 75-minute, or 90-minute) at a 10% discount and then redeem them over the course of six months.
Ready to book a massage in Cardiff?
And if the upfront investment of a 3-treatment package isn’t right for you at the moment, you can book a one-off massage session at my studio in Cardiff instead. My treatment menu includes:
30-minute and 45-minute Upper Body Reset options: Focusing on back, neck, and shoulders to provide relaxation and tension relief.
60-minute Full Body Restore: A 60-minute Swedish Massage treatment that covers back, neck, and shoulders, plus legs, feet, and arms.
75-minute and 90-minute Full Body Unwind options: Longer treatments providing full-body relaxation and tension relief. Covers back, neck, and shoulders, plus legs, arms, decollete, face, and scalp.
Watch this space for new holistic facial treatments coming soon, too!
Book your massage treatment in Cardiff today, and feel free to get in touch if you have any questions at all.