How Often Should You Get a Massage?

One of the most common questions I get asked is "How Often Should I Get Massage?"  The answer can vary from person to person depending on the reason you seek out massage.

For clients with a chronic pain issue, I usually see them once a week at first, and then adjust to fewer appointments over time as the injury/range of motion improves.  Most likely, you will feel better immediately after the massage, and most people make a big mistake here.  They think, "My shoulder feels way better.  I'll just call when I am hurting again."  My job isn't to relieve pain until you hurt again.  My job is to make you feel good enough to not need me anymore.  Regular massage is an all-natural, non-invasive, safe way to relieve pain, but it isn't like taking a Tylenol.  Relief from chronic pain requires a combination of regular appointments with client self-care in between those appointments.

Many people also seek out massage for relaxation and stress-relief.  For these clients, the frequency can vary from once a week, to once a month, to once a year.  If you want to receive the full benefits of massage for relaxation, anxiety relief, and overall health, I recommend at least a one hour massage every 1 to 4 weeks.  A weekly massage may not be in everyone's schedule, but I feel that even a monthly massage can still give you great benefit.  The act of taking time out your schedule just for yourself, can be a powerful catalyst to pursuing better health in your life.

You will see the best results with massage therapy if you schedule it in advance on a regular basis.  To encourage this, I offer several packages to help my regular clients save money.  You can save up to 20% of the regular price of your massage by buying them in sets of 3 or 6 at a time.  If you are stressed, in pain, or just need a little "me" time, now is the perfect time to start investing in yourself and your health.  Call 479-301-2800 or visit inspire-ecosalonspa.com to book your next appointment today.

Office Injury Rehab: Mouse Arm

Now more than ever, we are relying computers for entertainment, communication, and our livelihood.  Having worked in an office environment for years before being a massage therapist, I have firsthand knowledge of how brutal the office can be on your body.  Office Injury Rehab's goal is to shine a light on common injuries from office work, and give concrete ways to stop pain. 

Today, I want to examine an injury I've actually had myself.  About a year ago, the combination of giving 25 massages a week, spending hours on the computer to market my own practice, and then blowing off some steam by playing a few hours of a certain PC game, created the perfect storm.  At first, my hand mildly hurt.  I booked a massage for myself, and then I went about my usual arm abuse.  Soon after, my whole arm started going numb.  My hands swelled up.  I couldn't open a jar or even a door knob.  Losing the function of your hands is scary for anyone, but it's a massage therapist's worse nightmare.  What made matters worse is that I couldn't put a name to what was wrong with me.  My doctor had suggested carpal tunnel syndrome, but this wasn't a chronic problem.  After doing some research on my own, I found out about a little known condition called "Mouse Arm."  It sounds funny, but it can mean serious pain if you have it.

"Mouse Arm" is a common repetitive strain injury in which one might feel numbness or tingling in the hands, a weakening of your grip, or even a pulling sensation felt throughout the arm.  Mouse Arm is often caused by having the mouse in an awkward position which requires one to reach, but it can also be caused by simple overuse of the mouse.  Ideally, your mouse should be as close to the keyboard as possible, and not any wider out than shoulder-width.  You also don't want the mouse to be positioned to high or low.  The keyboard and mouse should be around the level of your waist so that your arms are at a 90 degree angle.  

I am very fortunate that my injury has healed, and my hands and arms are pain free.  A repetitive strain injury can turn into a chronic pain if neglected.  Here are some ways you can assist your body in becoming pain-free:  

1.  Get regular massage therapy.

2.  Take regular breaks from the computer (even if you aren't in pain!).

3.  Do some joint rotations.

4.  Create an ergonomic workspace.

Sources:

http://www.theage.com.au/news/technology/how-to-avoid-mouse-arm/2007/09/11/1189276708235.html