Every therapist has a slightly different answer to this question, and a lot of those answers are influenced by what they think you want to hear — or what's good for their booking calendar. I'm going to give you the honest version, broken down by what you're actually trying to accomplish.
There's no universal "right" frequency. The answer depends entirely on your goals, your budget, and what your body is dealing with right now.
Goal-Based Frequency Guide
You have chronic pain or a specific problem to fix
If you're dealing with persistent neck pain, lower back issues, shoulder problems, or any chronic muscular condition, you'll get the best results from more frequent sessions early on — then tapering as things improve. Think of it like physical therapy: you do more work upfront to create change, then maintain.
You're an active person or athlete
Training puts consistent demand on your muscles. The harder and more frequently you train, the more benefit you'll get from regular massage. Pre-event sessions (2–5 days before) can help prepare muscles. Post-event sessions (1–3 days after) support recovery. Between events, monthly maintenance keeps things moving well.
You're a desk worker managing ongoing tension
If you sit for long periods, carry stress in your shoulders, and find the same areas getting tight week after week, massage is most effective as a regular habit rather than an occasional treat. Monthly sessions work well for most people in this category. Bi-monthly if budget is a consideration.
General wellness and stress management
If you feel well overall but want to stay that way — reduce stress, sleep better, maintain flexibility — massage is a valuable tool. Once a month is ideal. Once every 6–8 weeks still provides meaningful benefit. The key is regularity, not frequency.
You're recovering from an injury
This one varies a lot depending on the type and severity of injury. In general, more frequent sessions early in recovery (with physician clearance) can speed the healing process. Once stabilized, monthly maintenance supports long-term recovery. Always coordinate with your medical provider.
The Honest Bottom Line
More frequent massage produces faster results, but the relationship between frequency and benefit isn't linear forever. There's a point of diminishing returns — and for most people, that point is somewhere around once a week. Daily massage is not more beneficial than weekly, and in some cases it can actually be counterproductive.
For the vast majority of my clients, monthly is the sweet spot that balances effectiveness with cost and practicality. It's frequent enough to maintain the work from the previous session and keep tension from fully rebuilding — but not so frequent that it becomes unsustainable.
The Scheduling Approach That Actually Works
The biggest mistake I see is clients who come in when they're in pain, feel better, wait until they're in pain again, come back in. This reactive approach means you're always starting from a deficit. The most effective approach is preventive — booking your next appointment before you leave your current one, whether you need it or not. Regular clients who do this consistently report far better long-term results than those who come in on demand.
If budget is a real constraint, consider booking 90-minute sessions less frequently rather than shorter sessions more often. Longer sessions allow for deeper, more lasting work and often produce better value per dollar spent.
Not sure what frequency is right for you? Book a session and BB will give you a specific recommendation based on what she finds — no upsell, just honest advice about what your body needs.
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