What is the Best Frequency for Regular Massage Treatments?

A frequently asked question in the clinic is: how often should I come in for treatments? There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, but in this blog post we’ll explore the topic to help you make a more informed decision about how often to book in.

Several factors need to be considered when deciding the frequency of your massage treatments, including the stage of healing your injury is in, the severity of your symptoms, your rehabilitation goals, and how quickly you’re hoping to find relief. Let’s break this down further.

On average, I see most clients for maintenance-style treatments every 3–5 weeks. I often suggest starting with three weeks between your initial and second treatments so that we can gauge how you’re feeling and create a treatment plan that’s best suited to your needs.

However, someone in the early stages of healing after an injury may benefit from more frequent treatments. For example, if you were recently in a car accident and are experiencing whiplash symptoms, I would suggest seeing a therapist as soon as possible after the injury and continuing weekly—if not more frequently. This approach helps manage symptoms before they progress to a chronic stage. Research shows that starting treatment early can help reduce scar tissue formation, prevent loss of range of motion, and decrease overall pain. I also use a variety of orthopaedic assessments to determine whether a referral to a physiotherapist or doctor is needed.

That said, I strongly believe treatment plans should evolve and adapt alongside your condition. I won’t prescribe a rigid plan that has you coming in every three weeks for the next six months. Instead, we’ll check in before and after each treatment—and again when rebooking—to ensure the frequency we choose allows you to go as long as possible between sessions without symptoms returning or worsening. I’ll also provide you with tools, such as home care exercises and pain management strategies, to help you maintain your progress between visits.

My goal isn’t to have you come in as often as possible (unless you want to, haha!), but rather to reduce your pain to a level where you can transition to less frequent, maintenance-based care.

I also understand that insurance coverage doesn’t always align with recommended treatment frequency. If that’s the case, my goal is to create a consistent plan throughout the year so that you can come in for shorter, more frequent treatments. This approach often helps prevent larger issues from developing. In my experience, there’s more benefit in monthly 45-minute treatments than in longer sessions every couple of months, because we can address concerns as they arise rather than playing catch-up later.

In conclusion, there’s no magic number for how often you should receive massage treatments. The real key is finding a practitioner who will work with your needs and create an individualized treatment plan that supports your recovery and pain management goals.

If you are unsure what timing makes the most sense for you, that is something we can always talk through at your appointment. Book your appointment here https://striveholistic.janeapp.com/#/staff_member/4.