While some massage therapy is better than none, if you want to maximize the benefits you reap from your massage therapy sessions, timing is essential. The frequency at which you receive massage therapy sessions and how soon after strenuous physical activity you receive massage therapy services can impact how much you recover from an injury and how great you feel.
Massage Therapy Length
The length of the massage therapy session is essential. For example, a study of patients who had suffered from neck injuries found that those who received hour-long therapy sessions recovered much more quickly than those who only received 30 minute sessions. Also, when taking into consideration other relaxation activities usually performed before and after the session, such as time spent in a sauna, you may need to schedule even more time.
The Frequency Of the Sessions
The frequency of the sessions is also critical. Patients who have received two or three sessions a week recover more quickly than those who only receive one session a week. Since you are injured, you should be taking it easy anyway and should try to free up your schedule for these treatments.
How Soon After An Injury
Shortly after sustaining an injury, you need to consult with your doctor and a massage therapist to determine if and when you should receive massage therapy. Depending on the severity of the injury, a massage might do more harm than good. However, if it is safe to receive a massage therapy session, the sooner you receive it, the more quickly you will recover from your injury. Receiving a deep tissue massage therapy session will reduce scar tissue.
The Ideal Frequency Even When You Aren't Injured
Even if you are not recovering from an injury, you should think strategically about when you receive a massage. You may want to receive a session before your day begins so you'll feel more energized. However, if you often feel a lot of aches and pains at the end of the day, it may be better to receive a massage at the end so that you can relax and more easily settle into bed.
When you are not receiving treatments for pain, you will not need to have massages as frequently. You can reap the benefits of massages by visiting only once a week. However, if you want to feel like you are at your best, it would be better to still receive treatments more frequently.
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