Massages are a mainstay of mental and physical maintenance, and while your personal health needs may determine a desired treatment frequency — for the best health results — it is recommended to get rubbed down every 3 to 4 weeks.
What is Massage Therapy?
With the purpose of improving overall health and well-being, massage therapy is the practice of soft tissue and muscle manipulation by a licensed massage therapist. It encompasses various massage techniques that provide pain relief and promote healing.
What are the benefits of Massage Therapy?
Reduced levels of harmful stress hormones and the release of relaxation-inducing endorphins are among the myriad of benefits boasted by massage therapy.
The importance of Massage Therapy
As an integral part of intended medical treatment, the importance of massage therapy is apparent in its various positive health effects.
- Stress relief via the reduction of stress hormones is an important aspect of massage therapy. Long-term activation of stress hormones can weaken the immune system and lead to a slew of health issues.
- Pain management is achieved through massage therapy by stimulating nerve fibers that compete with pain receptors, essentially blocking pain. Regular massage sessions can alleviate chronic pain and promote restorative processes in the body.
- Improved circulation is another advantage of massage therapy. More efficient blood and lymph flow lowers blood pressure and improves the general function of all bodily systems.
Factors to consider when deciding how often to get a massage
Deciding on how often a massage is needed can be difficult. Before settling on a regular massage regimen, consider these key factors:
- Physical activity level: The amount of exercise or physical activity you experience daily is central in determining massage frequency. Regular, vigorous exercise necessitates frequent treatments to heal muscles faster, reduce risk of injury, and increase range of motion.
- Stress level: Everyone experiences stress differently. The ability to recognize your range of mental and physical discomfort is vital in deciding how much relaxation you require.
- Overall health: While the positive results yielded by massage therapy vary depending on a plethora of physical factors — if you are a relatively healthy person — you will likely experience the expected health benefits with longer intervals between massage sessions.
Lifestyle and Frequence of Massages
Massage duration, frequency, and intensity often depend on the way in which a person lives.
- Athletes may benefit from massages before and after intense exercise. Like stretching, a pre-workout massage improves flexibility, reducing injury risks. To reduce muscle swelling and speed the healing process, a post-workout massage is necessary, so a massage every 1 to 3 weeks is recommended.
- Desk workers typically lead a sedentary lifestyle, and sitting in a chair for 9 hours can lead to poor circulation, bad posture, and back pain. A massage every 4 to 8 weeks can correct these issues and reduce their recurrence.
- Chronic pain — whether it be from lifestyle, injury, or illness — can be significantly reduced by regular massage treatments. The most effective level of alleviation, a massage once a week, may be required.
- Offer suggestions for scheduling regular massages to maintain their benefits, such as scheduling monthly massages or booking a series of massages to start.
Types of Massages we offer & Recommended Frequency for each
There are several common massage techniques, each with its own benefits and recommended frequency.
- Swedish massage aims to relax and relieve tension. It is typically lighter than deep tissue and is recommended every few weeks or once a month.
- Deep Tissue/Muscle Massage reaches deep layers of muscle through strong, slow massage strokes. The frequency of deep tissue massage may range from daily to a few times per month.
- Hot Stone Massage utilizes hot, flat stones on specific parts of the body to reduce muscle tension and heal damaged tissue. Every 1 to 2 weeks is recommended for this type of massage.
- Bamboo Massage is similar to Swedish and deep tissue, but rather than rubbing with hands, therapists use hot bamboo sticks of varying sizes to treat affected areas. The frequency for this type of massage is dependent on necessity.
- Himalayan Massage uses Swedish massage techniques with heated Himalayan salt stones. Like bamboo massage, intervals will depend on your body’s needs.
Schedule your massage in Gainesville Fl today
Are you in the Gainesville, Florida, area and in need of a good kneading? Well, schedule an appointment with Spa Royale, Gainesville’s premier massage spa. Their skilled staff of licensed therapists and array of optimal massage options will have you feeling like you just took a dip in the Fountain of Youth!