Stress is a common issue that affects millions of people around the world. Many have found that one of the most effective treatments is regular massages at the local clinic. If you’re worried about stress, high blood pressure, a stubborn injury, or your energy levels, you should speak to the expert providers at Reflections Cosmetic Surgery & Medical Spa in Cartersville, GA about massage therapy.
Regular massages have a number of physical and mental health benefits. They can help you relax, improve your blood circulation, and shorten your recovery time after an injury. But how often should you come to the clinic? The answer is that it depends on your individual situation and the reason why you would like to be treated. Let’s have a closer look at how frequently you need a session and why you will feel better after every appointment.
How Often Should You Get Massage Therapy?
Therapists have different opinions about the optimal frequency of massages. While some argue that you should come to the clinic every week, others believe that a session every two or even four weeks is sufficient. In fact, it all depends on your individual circumstances and the reasons why you are booking an appointment.
People who require massages for a medical reason, for example, because they suffer from muscle tightness or anxiety, should follow their doctor’s advice and come see us regularly. However, those who would like to be massaged because it helps them relax can book as frequently or infrequently as they like.
Massage for a Medical Reason
Massages have many health benefits, and they are sometimes recommended as supplementary treatment by a doctor or physiotherapist. If you’ve been told that you could benefit from massages, you shouldn’t hesitate to contact us at the clinic. We work with highly experienced therapists who can help you reduce muscle tightness, improve your circulation, and speed up your injury recovery process.
While you might feel better after your first session, it’s likely that you’ll need treatment for several months to make a full recovery. In fact, some of our patients have been coming to see us for many years, and they still experience pain relief and increased functionality after every appointment. Ideally, people booking a massage for a medical reason should attend an appointment every week or every second week.
Massage for Relaxation
Recent studies have demonstrated the positive effects of massages on your mental and physical wellbeing. But massage sessions aren’t only suitable for those who have a medical condition. In fact, they are great for everyone, and you can benefit from them even if you are completely healthy. Anyone looking to take time out of their busy day and spend an hour relaxing at their local med spa should book a session.
If you don’t have a medical condition, you can book a massage whenever you have time. Many people find that they benefit the most when they see us every 2-4 weeks, but if this schedule doesn’t work for you, it can be adapted to suit your individual needs. When you come for your first session, your therapist can discuss your schedule with you and come up with a treatment plan.
What Is Massage?
If you’ve never had massage therapy before, you might not know what to expect from your session. Massage is a non-invasive treatment that involves the therapist manipulating your soft tissues. The provider might use strokes, circles, kneading, and other techniques to increase the blood flow to your muscles, get rid of knots, and calm your body down.
Massage can be very soft and gentle, or it can be deep to help get the knots out. Sometimes, your therapist might focus on certain trigger points, which are areas of your muscles that get tight due to repeated activity or exercise. If you’d like your provider to focus on a specific area of the body, you can let them know ahead of time.
What to Expect During Your Session
When you arrive at the clinic for your massage session, we will begin by asking you why you’d like to be treated. You should tell your therapist if you have any current or past injuries. As soon as you’re ready to begin, your provider will leave the room, so you can get undressed. You should only take off your clothes if you’re comfortable with it, and if you’d prefer to remain dressed, you can wear loose-fitting items instead.
During your session, you can give feedback to your therapist. While certain kinds of massage involve using pressure to break down knots in your muscles, the session shouldn’t be painful or unpleasant. Speak to your therapist if you believe they are applying too much pressure or if you’d like them to massage you more firmly. They will be happy to adjust their technique to suit your needs.
What Are the Benefits of Massages?
Humans have massaged each other for thousands of years. In fact, there are records of massage treatments that date back to the 16th century BC. So, what makes this therapy so effective, and why has it survived for so many centuries? The answer is that massages aren’t just good for your body, but they also help to relax the mind. If you’ve got a condition related to stress or you’re suffering from an injury, a massage could be a great solution.
They Can Improve Your Mental Wellbeing
When you feel stressed, human touch can be a great way of calming you down and reducing your fight-or-flight response. A gentle massage can demonstrate to your body that you aren’t in danger and that it can relax. That’s why you will always walk out of the clinic feeling refreshed, energized, and more alert. By opting for regular massages, you can reduce your stress levels and the associated cardiovascular diseases.
They Can Help Prevent Disease
Almost half of the American population suffers from at least one long-term condition such as fibromyalgia, cardiovascular disease, or arthritis. While some of these problems occur due to factors outside the patient’s control, others are preventable. Massages are an excellent way of keeping your tissues in good shape.
They have been shown to increase your immunity, reduce pain and muscle soreness, lower your heart rate and blood pressure, and improve your circulation. What’s more, they may also help people suffering from headaches, insomnia, and digestive disorders. While scientists haven’t conducted enough studies to provide conclusive evidence, many patients with these conditions have achieved great results with regular massages.
They Reduce Pain and Soreness
Being too sedentary or too active isn’t good for the body. That’s why patients who work a desk job often complain of back and neck pain while athletes and other active people suffer from muscle tightness in their legs, arms, glutes, or back. Over time, too much or too little exercise can cause serious long-term issues that impact the patient’s ability to function. For this reason, desk workers and athletes should include regular massage therapy in their schedules.
Should You Book a Session?
Almost everyone can benefit from a massage session, especially since most people suffer from stress-related issues like back pain, neck pain, and anxiety. If you’d like to feel more relaxed or get rid of muscle tightness, you should get in touch with your local clinic and ask for an appointment. Since massage is non-invasive and doesn’t require anesthesia, almost everyone is eligible, even those people who have underlying health conditions.
Before your session, let your therapist know whether you have any allergies. At the clinic, we have several different massage oils and creams, so we can use one that won’t irritate your skin. Similarly, you should consult your doctor prior to booking a massage if you have a serious medical condition like cancer, burns and open wounds, or deep vein thrombosis. You might need to look for an alternative treatment.
Increase Your Wellbeing and Loosen Your Muscles with a Massage
Massage therapy is a great way of relaxing, getting rid of muscle tension, and improving blood circulation. But if you come to the clinic just once, you might not experience the full benefits of this treatment. Those with medical conditions might need to book a session once a week, whereas those who simply enjoy a relaxing massage can come by as often as they like.
Most people benefit from a session once every 1-4 weeks. When you come for your first appointment, your provider can evaluate your individual situation and determine what frequency is appropriate. Call or message us now at Reflections Cosmetic Surgery & Medical Spa in Cartersville, GA to schedule your first session with our highly trained massage therapists.