Get A Massage Early And Often

I think that it is safe to say that professional massage has reached mainstream status. As of last year's statistics, 37% of people in the United States have received a professional massage. The real question to ask is not whether you should get one, but what one can do for you?

When you think of getting a massage, the last thing that should be on your mind is stress. In fact it should be just the opposite. 45% of people who received a massage did so specifically to reduce stress in their life. People sometimes get the idea that massage is self indulgent or only for the wealthy to relieve their perceived stress and tension. Yet, with stress at epidemic proportions in today's lifestyle, this therapy is neither self indulgent nor just the domain of the rich and famous. Look over your life and chances are you will see times that are more stressful than others. Maybe you have end of month reports to get out. Do the holidays stress you out? Are there times when your hormones make life miserable? Massage can be a great way to head these off.

30% of those who got a massage did so to rehab a physical injury. Many of these were referred by their doctor. Both traditional and alternative medical practitioners know that massage therapists are well skilled in relieving pain and restoring flexibility. When first starting out, it is often good to have a massage once a week. This frequency allows the tissue to change and improve without overworking the area. Typically the sooner a muscle issue is addressed the quicker this improvement will occur. Putting it off can limit improvement and or lengthen the time it takes to achieve. As changes occur the frequency can decrease.

More than just rehab, massage can also support your sports activity levels. 66% of massage clients also sought relief for muscle stiffness and soreness. It is a fine line between performing at your optimal level and pushing just a bit beyond. Instead of laying off after a particularly challenging training session, massage can allow you to maintain that higher level and see faster improvement. Generally massage as you prepare for an event works best on a weekly or every other week timing. The harder the training the closer together the massages should be.

One of the most telling statistics is satisfaction. Of the people who have had massages, 75% were very satisfied (8 or higher on a scale of 1-10). It is no surprise then that 70% of people get massages to maintain the benefits they have already discovered. Relaxation and restoration are great reasons for getting a massage. Schedule a monthly massage to maintain your improved posture, you good health and as an encouragement to strive toward your next health goal. You will be in very good company!