When Should You Get a Massage? How Often and Which Type to Book
One of the most common questions I hear is:
“When should I get a massage?”
Closely followed by:
“And… how often?”
The real answer depends less on the calendar and more on what your body is telling you.
Massage isn’t just something you book when you’re in pain or falling apart. For most people—especially active adults and busy professionals—it works best as part of an ongoing recovery and self-care routine.
Below is a simple way to think about when to receive massage, how often, and what type of session to book based on how you’re feeling.
After Hard Training or Workouts
Sports Focused Thai Massage for Workout Recovery
If you train regularly—weight lifting, running, cycling, golf, Hyrox, CrossFit, or recreational sports—your body accumulates stress from repeated loading, not just single workouts.
What you might notice
Lingering soreness
Tight or restricted movement
Reduced mobility or stiffness
Feeling strong but not moving well
When to book
24–72 hours after hard training
During higher-volume or higher-intensity training blocks
When stiffness is affecting movement quality
How often
Every 2–4 weeks for most active adults
Weekly or bi-weekly during heavy training or competition prep
Why Thai massage helps
Thai massage blends assisted stretching, compression, and joint mobilization. It works well as a sports-style recovery session, helping restore range of motion, improve tissue elasticity, and support better movement patterns—without feeling like you’re being “beat up.”
When Stress Is Running the Show
Recovery Massage for Stress and Nervous System Reset
Not all stress comes from training. Work, life, poor nutrition, poor sleep, and mental load all show up in the body.
What you might notice
Neck, shoulder, or jaw tension
Shallow breathing
Difficulty fully relaxing and letting go
Trouble sleeping or staying asleep
When to book
During prolonged stress
After emotionally or mentally demanding periods
After competition events, when both the body and nervous system are taxed
How often
Every 3–4 weeks for general stress management
Bi-weekly if stress is chronic or sleep is disrupted
Why recovery massage helps
Recovery-focused sessions emphasize downregulating the nervous system. Research shows massage can reduce cortisol while increasing serotonin and dopamine—supporting relaxation, recovery, and improved sleep quality.
This style of session is about helping your system shift out of “go mode” and into recovery.
When Your Body Feels “Off” (But Not Injured)
Structural Integration Bodywork for Movement & Alignment
This is common in active adults: nothing is “wrong,” but something doesn’t feel right.
What you might notice
Side-to-side differences
Movement restrictions or compensations
Old injuries resurfacing under load
A sense that your posture or mechanics feel off
When to book
When movement quality declines
When training feels harder than it should
Before minor issues become injuries
How often
Every 2–3 weeks initially
Transitioning to monthly maintenance once things stabilize
Why structural integration helps
Structural integration bodywork focuses on how different regions of the body relate to each other. The goal isn’t to “fix” anything—it’s to help improve alignment, load distribution, and movement efficiency so your body has better options.
When You’re in Pain or Recovering From Injury
Structural Integration Bodywork for Pain and Injury Recovery
Massage can play a valuable role in recovery, especially when pain is persistent or movement feels guarded.
What you might notice
Protective tension
Limited or hesitant movement
Pain during specific activities
Fear of re-injury
When to book
After acute inflammation has settled
When cleared for hands-on recovery work
As part of a broader rehab or movement plan
How often
Weekly or bi-weekly early on
Gradually spacing sessions out as symptoms improve
Massage works best here when paired with appropriate movement, gradual loading, and realistic expectations.
So… How Often Should You Get Massage?
A simple guideline:
Heavy training or high stress: weekly or bi-weekly
Active adults maintaining performance: every 2–4 weeks
General wellness and stress management: monthly
Injury recovery: more frequent at first, then taper
Consistency matters more than intensity. Regular sessions help support recovery, movement quality, and long-term resilience.
The Most Important Rule: Listen to Your Body
Your body gives feedback constantly—tightness, fatigue, stress, restriction, or discomfort are all signals.
The goal of massage isn’t to chase pain away. It’s to support your body’s ability to adapt, recover, and move well over time.
If you’re unsure which session type or frequency makes sense for you, that’s something we can figure out together.
If you’re not sure which type of session to choose, don’t overthink it. Use how your body feels as a starting point, and we’ll adjust as needed.
