The question of how often to get massage in Long Beach comes up quite often. As a Licensed Massage Practitioner, I've made some general conclusions. On this page I'll give you some examples to help you decide:
Massage for General Health and Relaxation
For general health and relaxation I recommend massage 1-2 times per month for people under light to moderate stress. This would also include people who are sedentary or who exercise only occasionally. Receiving massage therapy once or twice per month can have excellent health benefits and help reduce the effects of stress.
Massage for Stress Management
For people who have high-stress occupations or living conditions, I recommend a higher frequency of massage therapy - weekly. In this case, massage therapy helps the individual in coping with their stress. Tension builds up from stressful situations can be more easily managed with weekly massage. Additionally, just knowing that you will be receiving massage therapy each week can be comforting.
Massage Therapy for Pain Reduction and Management
Reduction of, and management of pain requires a different type of frequency. It's called a "diminishing frequency". People in severe pain not requiring medical intervention can and do receive massage therapy 2-3 times per week in the first week. This may continue in the second and third week of treatment depending upon response of the client to the therapy. When the pain is reduced so is the frequency of massage therapy. At first it may be reduced from 3 times per week to 2 times per week, then to 1 time per week. Even chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia, lupus, carpal tunnel syndrome, tmj-d, and chronic low back pain can have a diminishing frequency. This type of diminishing frequency is typically used with Myofascial Release (MFR) which are powerful massage methods for relieving pain.
Massage Therapy for Athletes
For Athletes the frequency of massage therapy depends on the sport, training schedules, and athletic goals. We can work out the frequency at your first consultation.
Is it safe to receive a massage during my pregnancy?
Expecting mothers can receive a massage specifically designed for them. Prenatal massage helps to alleviate the many physical and emotional challenges resulting from pregnancy, such as muscle aches, fatigue, headaches, and water retention.