How Often Should You Get a Deep Tissue Massage? Personalized Advice from The Mark of Massage

At The Mark of Massage in Castle Rock, Colorado, deep tissue massage is one of my core therapeutic specialties since 2004—helping clients release chronic tension, recover from sports or hiking strains, break up stubborn knots with trigger point work, improve mobility through structural integration elements, and more. While it’s incredibly effective for deeper muscle and fascia relief, the ideal frequency isn’t one-size-fits-all. It depends on your goals, body response, lifestyle (like active Colorado routines), and how your muscles recover.

General Recommended Frequency for Deep Tissue Massage

Most experts and therapists agree on these guidelines (updated for 2025–2026 trends):

•  For maintenance and general wellness (preventing buildup of tension, supporting flexibility, or managing mild stress): Every 4–6 weeks (or at least once a month) is a solid starting point. This allows full recovery from the intensity while keeping benefits consistent.

•  For chronic pain, ongoing tension, or specific issues (e.g., lower back/neck stiffness from desk work, recurring knots, or fibromyalgia-like symptoms): Every 1–2 weeks initially (weekly or bi-weekly for the first few sessions to build momentum and address root causes), then taper to every 3–4 weeks for maintenance once improvement stabilizes.

•  For athletes, active lifestyles, or injury recovery (post-hike soreness, sports strains, or training prep): Bi-weekly (every 2 weeks) or even weekly during intense periods to aid faster recovery, reduce inflammation, and prevent re-injury—then space out as needed.

•  For acute or severe cases (under medical guidance): Shorter intervals (e.g., more frequent in early phases) may be suggested, but always with time for tissues to heal.

Give your body at least 1 week between sessions to recover fully—deep tissue causes micro-trauma (in a good way) to release adhesions, and too soon can lead to prolonged soreness or overworking muscles.

Factors That Influence How Often You Should Schedule

•  Your body’s response: If you feel great and loose for weeks afterward, stretch to monthly. If tension returns quickly (e.g., from daily demands or workouts), more frequent may help.

•  Soreness level: Normal post-session tenderness (like after a workout) lasts 1–3 days. If it lingers longer, add more recovery time.

•  Lifestyle and activity: Busy professionals, desk workers, hikers, or skiers in Castle Rock often benefit from regular sessions to stay ahead of strain.

•  Health conditions: Always consult your doctor first if you have contraindications (e.g., blood thinners, osteoporosis, recent injuries)—frequency may need adjustment or avoidance.

•  Goals: Short-term pain relief? More often at first. Long-term maintenance? Less frequent but consistent.

In my 20+ years of experience, clients who commit to a regular rhythm (even starting monthly) see the biggest cumulative gains—better range of motion, less pain, and improved overall well-being. We can assess your needs during intake and create a custom plan.

Whether it’s an in-home mobile session (within ~30 minutes of my home office at 216 Douglas Fir Ave, 80104) or a private visit to my lower-level space (fully secluded, though you might hear occasional family sounds from upstairs outside the room), I adjust based on how your body responds.

Ready to find your ideal frequency? Book a session today—let’s tailor deep tissue (or a blended approach) to keep you moving freely and feeling great!

Sources for Verification (based on 2025–2026 health, wellness, and therapist guidelines):

•  Healthline: Frequency depends on individual needs; deep tissue safe with proper spacing (https://www.healthline.com/health/pain-relief/how-often-should-you-get-a-massage)

•  WebMD: Start monthly and adjust; allow recovery time between sessions (https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/is-deep-tissue-good-for-you)

•  Essential Chiropractic & Various Therapist Sites: 2–4 weeks for maintenance; weekly/bi-weekly for chronic pain initially (https://essentialchiropractic.co.uk/deep-tissue-massage-how-often-for-optimal-wellness/)

•  Birmingham Wellness Massage & Concordia Clinic: Weekly/bi-weekly for chronic pain early on, then 3–4 weeks maintenance (https://birminghamwellnessmassage.com/how-long-should-you-wait-between-deep-tissue-massages/)

•  Reddit r/massage Community & Industry Blogs: Many therapists/clients report every 2 weeks for active/chronic needs, monthly for general (various 2024–2025 threads)

Your results and comfort are my priority—hope to help you soon at The Mark of Massage! 😊