How Often Massage?

I find myself feeling a little uncomfortable when people ask me how often they should take massage therapy. I think of the places I’ve worked, where there was lots of emphasis on “retention rates,” which is how many of a therapist’s new clients return within a month. So, there was great incentive to say whatever it took to get the client to come back sooner rather than later.

The problem with this is that sometimes I sense that a client is looking for instructions to follow to fix herself. Many therapists are happy to give them just that: do these stretches, drink more water (however much you’re drinking, drink more), come back in two weeks. This isn’t particularly bad advice; most people could probably use a little more stretching and hydration and bi-weekly massage.

But there’s a deeper issue present. Sometimes what a person needs isn’t more instructions to follow. Doing what we “should” might feel like the way to earn the results we want, but what if the trying to do all the things we think we should is the cause of the problem? What if pain, anxiety, and stress come from the ever-lengthening list of things we have been told to do?

I’ve finally come to see that this is why I’m so uncomfortable with answering the question of how often a person should seek massage. Ultimately, I want my clients to feel more free, not less. I want them to live in their body, not in their head where the lists and schedules and calendars conduct their business. Instead of expectations and regimens, I want to give people the grace of simply being here with me right now.

So what is the answer to the question, “How often should I have massage?” It is this: As often as you want. Notice how your body feels after a massage, and how long that feeling lasts. It’s up to you to weigh all the other factors, the money, the time, your other responsibilities and duties in life. Then, when you’re ready to come back to this feeling, I will be here. It won’t be an obligation, but a gift that you and I together give to you, this time, this space, this peace. I hope you come back soon.