Sometimes we wish we’re dating a massage therapist. Other times, that shiatsu massage machine is closer to us than any human being. But overmasasging can cause real damage, and different body parts vary in massage tolerance. Your age, gender, disease history could also affect how often you should get a massage.
Generally, getting a massage every week isn’t a bad thing. Full reflexology treatment, shiatsu, and hot stone massages are all safe on a weekly basis. However, there are more requirements you should know if you want to benefit the most from your massages.
Benefits of Massages
Massages have many physical and psychological benefits. Massaging specific body parts can also have unique effects. For example, foot massage can relieve headaches. Meanwhile, getting a massage while pregnant could significantly reduce negative reactions during the first trimester and even make your baby healthier!
Generally, the most commonly known benefits of massage are
- Promote healthy circulation
- Accelerate recovery of certain injuries (e.g.: strained muscle, bruising, nerve damage)
- Improve mobility of muscles and joints
- Pain relief
- Lower heart rate and blood pressure
- Improve immunity
- Improve energy and awareness
- Relieve stress and anxiety, and help ease depression
- Improve sleep qualities
How Often Should I Get a Massage for Knots
One of the most common reasons people need a massage is sore muscles, which often feel like there are knots in your body.
Put your hand on your shoulder and press against your bones. Do you hear the popping sound or feel a wave of soreness shooting out from where you pressed? That’s the knots, or bubbles, in your muscle responding to pressure.
The good news is, you can massage for knots almost everyday, but make sure to massage each muscle group for no more than 6 minutes a day to avoid causing more irritation and tissue damage.
How Often Should I Get a Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage is one of the most effective methods to relieve built-up tension. This method reaches the deeper muscle and connective tissue layers to relieve your pain and distress from the (literal) bottom.
Depending on your muscle usage intensity, most people find a bi-weekly or monthly deep tissue massage more than sufficient. However, you may benefit from deep tissue massage once a week if you're dealing with a high level of pain. Nonetheless, it is possible to be over-massaged, which may cause more damage to your muscles and tissues. Therefore, do it with moderation and always follow therapist's recommendations!
Deep tissue massage sessions are typically 60-90 minutes long.
How Often Should I Get a Massage for Anxiety
A massage once or twice a month will significantly help with your anxiety issues, especially if your anxiety stems from physical exhaustion or irregular sleep. However, you should never use massage as a magic cure. Speak to a professional and find out why you’re getting anxiety so you can figure out something to do for yourself.
How Often Should I Get a Foot Massage
You may have developed the habit of turning on your shiatsu foot massager for 10-15 minutes every day after work. But that doesn’t mean you can have a foot massage everyday under all circumstances.
If you go in for a full multi-course foot reflexology treatment, you should start with once a week. After a month, slow down to monthly treatments as maintenance. However, if it’s a casual home massage using a foot massage machine, daily sessions are perfectly fine. Meanwhile, you should not have more than two hot stone massages per week.
Foot Massage For Neuropathy
For those suffering from neuropathy, a 10-15 minute foot massage would do wonders. Some prefer to have the massage before bed, others after work. You can also have shorter massage sessions twice a day if that works better.
Foot Massage For Plantar Fasciitis Patients
Plantar fasciitis often causes ball, heel, and center foot pain. Since this illness frequently results from prolonged standing, it’s best to have a short massage session before bed so your tissues can recover in the sleep too.
How Often Should You Get a Massage for Neck Pain
If you have regular neck and upper back pain, consider having two to three 60-minute massage sessions a week. To save on expenses, you can also consider getting a massage pillow for the neck. However, you should never use a massage gun or a percussive massager on your neck. It is extremely dangerous!
How Often Should You Get a Full Body Massage
Get a full body massage once every two to three weeks to make sure your muscles are relaxed and your circulation is smooth. A full body massage could promote blood flow, reset your body, and even boost immunity.
You can also get a full body massage after an extreme workout as an emergency treatment as long as it doesn’t happen regularly.
Find The Best Foot Massager At Miko
Does it sound like you could use a massager at home to melt away the stress and exhaustion during the day? Shop Miko features some of the best shiatsu, vibration, and deep-kneading foot massagers. We also carry percussive massagers and massage pillows for your back and neck.
We hope you find what you want!