Some people are interested in massage but have reservations. One that I have heard is that massage only provides a temporary benefit. This is true because after your massage eventually you are going to need another one. If you are active after your massage, you will get sore and tired again. If you are not active, you will get stiff and tight. Stress will also return uninvited in either case.
Is this a valid objection to getting a massage? Let’s think about some other things that you do that are temporary also.
Eating and drinking. You are going to get hungry again whether you enjoyed a wonderful favorite meal or leftovers. Even if you stuff yourself at a holiday feast, you get hungry again and need to eat. Also, even if you drink enough so you are sloshing you will need to drink more later.
Sleep. If you got a great night’s sleep and are well rested, at the end of the day you need to sleep again. Without sleep we don’t function well, lose the ability to think clearly, and our judgment suffers. Our movements become less coordinated and less precise. The effects of lack of sleep are very noticeable in just a few hours beyond when you begin feeling tired.
Personal hygiene. We continue to brush our teeth, shower, wash our hands, and other things routinely. In fact, we tend to keep our distance from those who do not. We wash our clothes after wearing them and our dishes after using them. We do maintenance work on our cars and homes to keep them performing well and to prevent small problems from turning into major ones later.
Exercise. A great workout doesn’t last. To achieve lasting long-term benefits you need to make it a habit and exercise routinely. Even if you were to run a marathon you would need to continue to exercise to remain fit after.
The effects of medicine are temporary, but that doesn’t stop people from using it. One pill doesn’t solve a problem or cure a sickness. One vitamin doesn’t last a week, much less a lifetime.
Your body has needs that require regular attention. Massage, like the other things listed here, is indeed temporary, but that doesn’t mean it is not valuable. Your headache, stiff neck, back pain, or other ailments do not go away on their own. You have to do something to make it better. Let massage be a way to help you feel good along with your other regular activities.