7 Signs You Need Regular Massage Therapy

We all know that massage therapy feels good and is a healthy reward for our overworked bodies. But how do you know when you need a massage? I have provided a little cheat sheet for you below.

1.   You haven’t had one for months (or even years).  Massage works best when it is received on a regular basis. Every person is different in terms of how often they should get massaged.  On the whole, healthy individuals should receive one once every six to eight weeks for regular maintenance. Those trying to rehabilitate injuries might want to get a massage more frequently.

2. You are in training.  Spring, summer and fall in Ashburn means races, biking, hiking, kayaking, water skiing, and anything else you can squeeze into these eight months of nice weather. When you challenge your body physically, you should be treating your muscles to bodywork and massage therapy regularly. A regular sports massage can help keep you active and injury free.

3. You have a literal pain in the neck (or back, shoulder, or hip).   Pain is your body’s way of communicating to you that something is wrong. The busier we get, the more we tend to ignore our body’s signals. You don’t want to ignore your pain because your injury could get worse. Make an appointment and I can help relieve your pain.

4. You’ve been getting headaches.  When the muscles around your shoulders, back, and head get tight, they can cause tension headaches. Regular craniosacral massages can relieve these tension headaches and help promote healthy posture. Massage therapy has been shown to provide relief for migraine sufferers as well.

5. You don’t have full range of motion.  Maybe you can’t turn your head/neck as far as you once could. Maybe you can’t lift your arm all the way up. Maybe you haven’t been able to touch your toes for a while. Whatever your case may be, massage therapy can help alleviate muscular restrictions.

6. You don’t get enough sleep.  It is amazing how many of my massage clients answer that they sleep “poorly” on their massage intake forms. Sleep is incredibly important! We recover and heal when we sleep. Therapeutic massage therapy helps promote healthy sleep habits through by promoting relaxation.

7.  You are constantly stressed out. Let’s face it, most of us have a little more stress in our lives than what is probably healthy. One of the best ways to decrease levels of stress hormones and increase levels of endorphins is to get a massage. Massage therapy starts working immediately to help you relax.

Bottom line, listen to what your body is telling you. If you feel pain or stress in your muscles, then it’s time to see a massage therapist. Ignoring your body’s signals can lead to bigger injuries, especially if you’re training. Take care of your body like you would if you were sick: see a massage therapist and keep your body healthy and happy.

Hi. I’m Felicia. I’ve made a 20+ year career of massage and bodywork. And, I still love it. I also enjoy writing, playing music, photography, cooking, baking and painting. All of which I’m not very good at. I’m also a daily bike commuter.

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