How often should I get a massage?

This is a question I am asked often and the answer can depend on why you are coming for a massage in the first place.  If you are coming for a relaxation massage and you have no pain a monthly massage would be would be fine but as the relaxation benefits the mind as well as the body you may feel that more frequent is for you.
If you are coming for a deeper treatment for more chronic pain, such as tension in the shoulders and back you are best starting with weekly treatments until the tension has eased.  After a few weeks if you are happy with your progress you can stretch the treatments out to fortnightly and then if you wish to monthly. Each individual is different and some clients prefer to stay on a fortnightly treatment. Also the longer you have had a condition the longer it can take to begin to see an improvement. Stretching a treatment out too far can result in the muscles reverting back to old patterns and then you have to start again to restore the muscles suppleness. The best advice is to listen to your body do what you feel is best but keep treatment regular.

"To keep the body in good health is a duty, otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear" Buddha

Touch and feeling good

The skin is the largest organ of the body and when the skin is massaged one of the benefits is the stimulation of the sensory receptors.  We have over five million touch receptors in our skin and over three thousand in our finger tips.  These receptors send and receive messages to the brain. The stimulation of massage pressure on the skin releases chemicals in the brain like serotonin that help reduce stress, anxiety and depression.
Numerous studies have shown how touch can benefit humans physically and mentally.  Touch is the first sense developed in the womb and the last sense used before death. Throughout life touch has an impact on how we develop physically and mentally.
Premature babies can benefit from regular massage , it can help them to gain weight faster.  Adults in hospital or care homes have been shown to be less anxious . I regularly visit a nursing home and see a sometimes brief but welcome reduction in anxiety levels for patients with dementia after they have received a hand massage.
Continuing research is showing that there are numerous benefits of touch from helping chronic diseases, neurological disorders, injuries and tension from our busy lifestyles.  Massage is a complementary therapy it cannot cure illness but is being used more widely by hospitals and Doctors to help with the recovery process.
Massage is not just for pampering, the more you have the more you benefit.  Massage is about maintaining your health and well being both mentally and physically.  So next time you feel like you need a massage, you probably do,  your body is telling you it needs looking after.  Invest in your health by booking regular massage treatments and feel the benefit of touch.


Deepak Chopra explains " when we stimulate the skin, we can cause, literally, a shower of healing chemicals into our blood stream"