6. How long do the effects of massage last? How often should I receive massage?
One of the primary reasons I began my practice was to help my clients learn to become more aware of their bodies, and how they can develop a sense of how to manage them. By nurturing your body's natural mechanism of seeking balance, you are able to set new standards of optimal health for yourself that will guide you on your path to healing. A massage every week or two can make a big difference in your overall health and tension levels. Even a monthly massage is beneficial. Make regular massage part of your health maintenance program (along with good nutrition and exercise), and you'll feel better.
The duration of the effects of a massage vary greatly from person to person depending on your physical and mental condition, activities, ability to relax, and ability to heal. If you are receiving massage to help heal an injury or to get rid of chronic pain, you usually need to receive therapy more frequently initially, and the frequency is related to the intensity of your condition.
It's important to look at your condition realistically: how long ago was your injury? Often chronic pain is caused by combinations of past injuries which cause muscular and structural dysfunction. Those types of situations will require more commitment on your part.
I have found that clients that embrace their healing paths become much more empowered and knowledgeable about them in general.
If you are receiving massage for prevention, health maintenance, or just to feel better, you have more leeway in how often you receive massage. The effects of regular massage are cumulative.