Once a week?
Every two weeks?
Once a month?
Or only when your shoulders finally say:
“That’s enough. Book the massage.”
At Tara Massage Therapy in Perth, clients sometimes ask us:
“How often should I come back?”
It sounds like a question that should have a simple answer.
But after working with many different clients over the years, we’ve learned that there really isn’t one massage schedule that suits everybody.
There is no single ideal massage frequency. How often to get a massage can depend on your goals, routine, preferences and how you feel.
How often you choose to have a massage can depend on why you’re booking, how your body feels, what your daily routine looks like and what works for you.
How Often Should You Get a Massage?
There isn’t a universal rule.
Someone who books massage mainly because they enjoy having time to relax may choose a completely different schedule from someone who regularly feels muscular tension after work or exercise.
Some clients enjoy having massage regularly.
Others book occasionally.
And some disappear for months before returning and telling us:
“I probably should have come sooner.”
We don’t think everyone needs to fit into the same timetable.
The more useful question may be:
What are you hoping to get from your massage?
Is Getting a Massage Once a Month Enough?
For some people, monthly massage fits comfortably into their routine.
For others, it may not.
There’s nothing magical about reaching exactly four weeks.
Your work, exercise, stress, preferences, budget and how you’re feeling can all influence how often you choose to book.
Someone who spends long hours working at a computer may notice neck and shoulder tension more frequently during a particularly busy period.
Another person may feel completely comfortable booking massage occasionally simply because they enjoy it.
Both are reasonable.
How Often Should You Get a Massage Every Two Weeks?
Again, it depends on the individual.
Some people like having a regular appointment every two weeks because it gives them predictable time away from work and everyday responsibilities.
Others don’t feel they need that frequency.
At Tara, we don’t believe the goal should be convincing every client that they must return after a particular number of days.
Instead, pay attention to how you’re feeling and why you wanted the massage in the first place.
If you booked because your neck and shoulders regularly feel tight after computer work, our article Why Your Neck and Shoulders Feel Tight After a Day at Your Desk explores some of the habits that may be contributing outside the massage room.
Should You Wait Until Everything Feels Tight?
This is an interesting one.
Some people book massage as part of their normal self-care routine.
Others wait.
And wait.
And wait a little longer.
Until eventually:
“I can’t ignore my shoulders anymore.”
There’s nothing inherently wrong with booking only when you feel like having a massage.
But if you repeatedly notice the same pattern, it can be useful to pay attention to what happens before you reach that point.
Have you been sitting more?
Training harder?
Feeling particularly stressed?
Sleeping differently?
The massage appointment is only one hour or so.
What your body experiences during the rest of your week matters too.
If you prefer massage as part of an ongoing routine rather than waiting until everything feels uncomfortable, you can also explore our Maintenance Massage options.
Does Having Tight Muscles Mean You Need Massage More Often?
Not automatically.
This is where we don’t want to create a rule like:
“Tighter muscles = more massage.”
The sensation of tightness can be influenced by many things, including work, exercise, repeated positions, stress and movement habits.
So feeling tight doesn’t automatically tell you what your massage frequency should be.
Instead, consider whether the sensation is persistent, unusual or connected with changes in your normal routine.
If you regularly stretch but still feel tight, we’ve explored why that can happen in Why Stretching Alone Isn’t Fixing Your Pain.
How Often Should You Get a Massage if You Exercise Regularly?
Being active doesn’t automatically mean you need massage every week.
A person’s training schedule, preferences and how they’re feeling can all be different.
Someone training several times a week may choose to include massage in their general routine.
Another equally active person may book much less frequently.
The important part is not assuming there is a compulsory massage schedule simply because you exercise.
For people whose massage goals are specifically related to exercise or training, Sports Massage may be another option to explore.
If your muscles often feel tight around training, read Why Do Your Muscles Feel Tight After Exercise?
And if what you notice is soreness the following day, Why Do You Feel Sore the Day After Exercise? looks specifically at that experience.
How Often Should You Get a Deep Tissue Massage?
There isn’t one fixed deep tissue massage frequency that suits everybody.
Some clients enjoy firmer pressure regularly.
Others choose deep tissue only occasionally.
And some discover that the pressure they actually enjoy is more moderate than they originally expected.
The words “deep tissue” don’t mean the therapist needs to use maximum pressure every time.
Treatment should still be adjusted to the individual.
If you’re interested in firmer work focused on areas of muscular tension, you can learn more about our Deep Tissue Massage in Perth.
What if You Book Massage Mainly to Relax?
Then relaxation is a perfectly valid reason to book.
You don’t need to wait until something hurts.
And you don’t need to invent a problem to justify wanting an hour away from everything.
Some clients simply enjoy massage because it gives them time when they’re not working, driving, answering messages or looking after everybody else.
How often they choose that time is personal.
If relaxation is what you’re looking for, you can explore our Relaxation Massage in Perth.
What We’ve Learned From Perth Clients Over the Years
One thing we’ve learned is that massage routines can look completely different.
We see clients who enjoy coming regularly.
We see clients we haven’t seen for months.
We see someone frequently for a period and then much less often when their routine changes.
There’s no reason those people need identical schedules.
That’s why when someone asks:
“When should I come back?”
we don’t think the answer should automatically be:
“Next week.”
Instead, consider why you booked, how you’re feeling and what works realistically for your life.
A massage schedule should fit you.
You shouldn’t have to fit your life around a massage schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should you get a massage?
There isn’t one recommended massage frequency that suits everybody. How often you choose massage may depend on your preferences, activity, daily routine, reasons for booking and how you’re feeling.
Is it okay to get a massage every week?
Some people choose weekly massage, while others prefer much longer intervals. Whether a particular frequency is appropriate can depend on the individual, their circumstances and the type of treatment.
Is one massage a month enough?
It can be for some people. Monthly massage isn’t a universal requirement or a guarantee of a particular result. Choose a schedule that fits why you’re booking and what works for you.
How often should you get a massage for tight muscles?
There isn’t a fixed schedule based simply on feeling tight. Consider your activity, working habits, movement, stress and whether the sensation is persistent, unusual or changing.
Do you need regular massage to get benefits?
Not necessarily. You don’t need to commit to a particular schedule simply to book and enjoy a massage. How often you choose to book can depend on your individual goals and preferences.
Your Massage Schedule Doesn’t Need to Look Like Anyone Else’s
Weekly.
Fortnightly.
Monthly.
Occasionally.
There’s no prize for having the “perfect” massage schedule.
At Tara Massage Therapy, we’d rather understand why you’re here today than assume when you need to return.
Our therapists take time before your treatment to understand what you’ve been experiencing and what you’re looking for from your massage.
You can explore our massage treatments to see the different massage styles available at Tara Massage Therapy.
When it feels like the right time for you:
