One of the most common questions I get asked is: How often should you get a massage? The truth is, the answer depends on your body, your lifestyle, and yes — your budget. Finding the right balance between what your body needs and what your schedule allows is key to maintaining lasting relief.

Before deciding on a routine, ask yourself a few honest questions:

1️⃣ What level of pain or tension are you actually feeling?

Be honest with yourself here — don’t downplay your discomfort with “it’s not that bad, I’m used to it.” Many of us say that (myself included!), but getting used to pain doesn’t mean you should live with it. Massage therapy is designed to help relieve that pain and tension, and there are professionals and resources ready to help you feel better.

2️⃣ Is your pain caused by a one-time event or ongoing habits?

This distinction makes a big difference. For example, if you’re dealing with neck and shoulder tension after a car accident, your body may just need focused work and time to recover before you feel long-term relief.

On the other hand, if your pain comes from long hours at a computer, we know that tension will likely return — unless you change the activity causing it. In that case, consistent massage sessions can help manage the discomfort, improve posture, and keep you feeling your best even with a repetitive routine.

3️⃣ What’s realistic for your time and budget?

It’s important to be honest about how much time and money you can devote to self-care each month. Think of massage not just as a luxury, but as maintenance for your body — the same way you’d maintain your car or your home.

So… how often should you get a massage?

For most clients — whether you’re recovering from an injury or managing recurring stress — I typically recommend every 2 to 3 weeks for the first couple of months.

Here’s why this works:

• It helps us track how long your relief lasts after each session.
• It allows us to address any flare-ups or new tension quickly.
• It’s a manageable rhythm for most schedules and budgets (90 minutes every two weeks often feels like the sweet spot).

After the first few months, we can reassess. If you’re healing from an injury, you may be able to start spacing your sessions further apart — maybe every 4 weeks. If your tension comes from ongoing habits like desk work, you might find that every 2–3 weeks continues to be your ideal maintenance schedule.

Even if you’re not currently in pain, I always recommend treating yourself to a massage at least every 4–5 weeks. Regular massage helps prevent tension from building up and supports your overall wellness.

Your body deserves that consistent care — and so do you.

Stay tuned for next month’s post, where we’ll dive deeper into why regular self-care makes such a big difference.