I get this question a lot, especially from clients who are new to receiving bodywork. The answer, as with many questions in bodywork, is "it depends on the person and depends on their needs!" Here are a few scenarios in which I often see clients that can help you get an idea of what your bodywork schedule should be!
Maintenance/General Wellbeing: Monthly
If you're receiving bodywork to relax, tune up your body, move fluids and for general health you only need to come in once a month to see effects. I myself get bodywork once a month at least but twice a month if I'm lucky and three times even if I'm feeling ambitious. While it definitely doesn't hurt to get regular work more often, once a month will do just fine.
Post Injury: once every 1-2 weeks for up to 3 months then monthly for maintenance
If you're coming in for bodywork to work though a specific injury, seeing a therapist more often can be beneficial. Depending on the person and depending on the injury, this could look like coming in every week or once every two weeks. Having sessions closer together means that the work compounds faster which expedites the healing process. It's always good to give your body at least a week to adjust to the changes that were made during the session.
Post Surgery: once a week for up to 2 months then once every two weeks until healed
If you just had a surgery, you're going to want lymphatic drainage and scar tissue work to expedite the healing process and decrease the chances of scar tissue buildup. Getting in for lymphatic work will greatly increase your chances of a smooth recovery. I usually recommend folks come to see me once a week for lymphatic drainage then spacing out the appointments more as the healing continues.
Working through something specific: once every 2 weeks for 2 months, continuing monthly if helpful
I often have people coming to see me for headaches, GI issues, frozen shoulder and other medical concerns that they have been seeking a remedy for. For folks seeking hands on therapy for a specific issue, I recommend getting bodywork once every two weeks for about two months to see if the cumulative effort is able to help them with their problem. Often times, getting work can help clear up the issue and make it less acute, at which point i recommend switching to monthly for maintenance. Sometimes my modalities don't fit the needs of my clients so after 2 months I will refer them out or recommend another type of therapy that may suit them better.
I hope this helped clear up any questions you may have about how often to come in for a massage. Generally, if you're healthy and looking for maintenance once a month will do. If you're working through something specific, having more sessions closer together will increase cumulative effects of the work. If you have any questions, you can always contact me at betterbeingbodywork@gmail.com to create a treatment plan!
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