Lets talk Frequency

How often should you be scheduling a service?

Twenty years ago, I had sort of a word vomit statement with this question; 'I recommend coming in for a session every 4 - 6 weeks' or 'massage is just like exercise, the more you do it, the more benefits you receive in your overall health and wellness'.

While both of these statements hold truth in them, times have changed for clients from when I started in this profession 26 years ago. Financial resources have changed, demands on time have changed, the pace of life has changed, so lets zoom out and look at some realistic scenerios for implementing massage therapy into your life.

I am going to start with some examples of what I see in my practice which has been in the same general location for 12 years. I have 2 clients that see me weekly, the majority of my clients see me every 3 - 6 weeks, many clients that see me 1 - 4 times a year and I even have clients that I feel honored to see with several years in between their last service. Clients experience grief, job loss, having children, changes in their childrens extracurricular activites, new medical issues, life,

the list goes on and on.

Does receiving a service once in 6 years make it any less valid of an experience or investment for the client? From my perspective, no.

I think moving away from an all or nothing mentality when making an appointment and investing your time, money and energy into an experience is the first step. Also recognizing that other services from health and wellness professionals may also need to be considered in your health care journey and it isn't always practical to get massage, acupuncture, chiropractic, red light, cold plunge, sauna, iv infusions, etc. I mean, how can anyone fit all of this in unless you are privileged enough to have the time and resources to do so.

If you can only make it to the beach or mountains or a go on a vacation once a year, does it make that experience worthless and invalid? Again, from my perspective, no. The same for receiving a service with me.

So, how often should you come? This really comes back to what works for you, your family, your budget and your goals for receiving the work.

• Regular work is wonderful and beneficial to receive every 4 - 6 weeks with benefits that include decreased tension,

• If you have an injury or pain managment issue, I may recommend seeing me for a full session and then following up in 1 - 2 weeks for a short session to facilitate improvement over a series of 1 - 2 months to make more progress.

• If you have post op edema or lymphedema, again, I may recommend seeing me more regularly in a shorter amount of time to facilitate progress.

• If life is busy at home and with family, and if scheduling a massage and then being thrown right back into life feels like the opposite of relaxation and wellness, I recommend seeing if support is possible on the day you receive your service, whether that is once a year or once a month. For example, having your support system watch the children for an hour or more after you get home vs. getting right back into action.

• If budgeting plays a role in how often you can receive, I love recommending seasonal sessions. With each new season, book a service, which offers you the opportunity to receive four services a year or pick your favorite season or special occassion to book once a year.

• If you are an established client, you can also consider an express service which is an option periodically throughout the month and year.

• Research shows that massage therapy has measurable effects on many of our body systems by promoting relaxation and shifting the nervous system into a parasympathetic state - rest and digest, lowering the stress hormone cortisol, decreasing pain, improving quality of life and movement, so looking at your preffered massage outcome: Relaxation, Stress management, Pain management, Improved mobility, Wellbeing or Pallitive care.

  
  

As you can see, there is not a one size fits all scenerio. What works for you one year, may not work for you 5 years from now. The best recommendations I can offer is to

1. Do not think about booking 'as all or nothing'. If you can't make it every 4 - 6 weeks than it's not worth it - that is FALSE

2. Connect with me for a consultation, not just for your first appointment, but anytime during your journey of wellness to reflect on where you are at and what needs to be addressed so that I can offer personal recommendations. That is what it is all about. Evolving with you and creating a personalized experience for you and your needs.

I look forward to seeing you and offering you my best work to meet your needs at your next appointment, whether that is next month or next year. - Erica