Why Millennials Should Incorporate Massage Therapy into Their Wellness Routines

Written by Melissa Schenkman, MPH, MSJ

When was the last time you had a massage? 

The answer for most of us often falls into one of three categories: while on vacation, after getting injured playing sports or exercising, or because you received a gift certificate from someone to commemorate a special occasion. The real gift though is the massage therapy benefits you receive when you choose to make massage a regular part of your life and routine for achieving wellness. 

It’s something fellow millennial and massage therapist, Lisa Elerick, LMT, learned firsthand. When she first attended massage school eight years ago, like most of us, she did not know how powerful massage therapy could be in positively affecting how your body feels and functions every day. 

She shares with us the most common reasons people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s come to see her, why massage therapy benefits are particularly valuable for our generation, what you should look for in finding a massage therapist that’s right for you, and more. 

What drew you to the field of massage therapy?

Lisa Elerick: Growing up, my mother and I would massage each other while I would tell her about my day at school. She always said I have magic hands and I should become a massage therapist. It wasn’t until I took a semester off from college to help her recover from a total knee replacement that I thought about that as a serious option. It was a very difficult recovery process and in spite of all the medications she was on, sometimes the only thing that helped was massaging her muscles to relax them. After she was independent again, I went straight into massage school.

Lisa Elerick is licensed massage therapist (LMT), who has been practicing for eight years. She earned her LMT from the Central Maryland School of Massage.

Each year she enrolls in continuing education courses, learning both new modalities and brushing up on old knowledge.

What is your day-to-day like working as a massage therapist and the Director of the Spa?

Lisa Elerick:  Half of my day I do office work, like emails, meetings, and training. Currently I’m adding people to our team and assisting with their success. Then I do 4-6 hours of massage. I’ve very much enjoyed adding the business side into my routine because I can assure clients have a great experience not only in their massage, but with every other interaction in the spa.

What are some of the different types of clients you have worked on through the years?

Lisa Elerick:  I’ve seen everyone from a young adult who just turned 18 and got a massage for their birthday who just wants to relax, to an 80-something with a list of health concerns looking for relief from pain. I enjoy the variety of being able to help with specific issues as well as help someone step away from the stress of work and life.

What do you think some of the biggest misconceptions are about massage therapy as a field and a wellness modality?

Lisa Elerick:  A lot of people still think of massage therapy as a luxury. When you think about investing in yourself for your mental and physical health, you may think of seeing a psychologist and getting a gym membership. Both wonderful choices. Massage therapy can also assist in both of these sides of wellness. Bodywork can give you the time to reset your brain and balance your hormones as well as address physical pain and prevent injury.

Lisa working out at the gym. Through her work, she has found massage therapy is a great complement to our exercise routines both in terms of overall wellness and injury prevention and rehabilitation.

What are some of the reasons people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s come to see you?

Lisa Elerick:  The most common thing I hear is “I sit at a computer all day and my neck and back hurt.” We spend a lot of time in the same position- at the computer, driving, texting, watching tv. Stress collects in the muscles.

I also see many people who have injured themselves working out without stretching and caring for their muscles. Sports injuries are common, both newly acquired and old high school injuries that still affect the body.

What are some of the major benefits of massage therapy on the body?

Lisa Elerick: Massage positively benefits every system of the body. Some of the many massage therapy benefits are decreased muscle tension, improved circulation, increased flexibility, balance of hormones and improved lymphatic function. Massage on a regular basis addresses any current problem areas to the point where you can feel long-term relief, and you can also prevent further muscle strain.

How often should you get a massage? What’s the difference in the impact of having a massage regularly versus say once a year?

Lisa Elerick: If you're coming in with pain or specific issues, your therapist may suggest you receive a massage every week to continue working on the problem areas. If the issue improves, you may move to coming in every two weeks. 

The goal is to keep the body feeling better for longer after every session. Some people may find every three or four weeks is enough to maintain their body. Frequency will depend on your body, habits, goals, and budget. I suggest you speak with your therapist to make a plan that works for you!

Massage on a regular basis addresses any current problem areas to the point where you can feel long-term relief, and you can also prevent further muscle strain.

When is pain during or after a massage good versus bad? What should people expect during massage therapy and in the days that follow?

Lisa Elerick: Everyone is so different when it comes to pain tolerance and preference in massage. I always say that you do not need to be in pain in order for a massage to be effective, so don’t feel like you have to endure it if you don’t want to. However, some people prefer deep pressure or deep tissue massage, searching for that “good hurt” where it's uncomfortable but still feels good. With deeper work you may feel sore the next day or so. As long as you hydrate and rest, you should feel the benefits soon after.

For millennials in particular, why is massage therapy as a wellness modality valuable for us? Why should people make it a priority for their health?

Lisa Elerick:  If we make massage a priority in our lives now, it sets it up as a habit for the future. Just like an exercise or skin care routine, we can find a way to fit it into our lives.

Honestly, before going to massage school I had never had a massage myself. During the hands- on training, I experienced massage for the first time. After a month or so I realized the headaches that I had regularly suffered from were no longer an issue. And I didn’t even realize I had back pain until it went away. I just thought it was normal to be uncomfortable, I guess. I fully realized the potential of massage therapy in helping my own body.

Now, I receive a massage regularly. If I go too long without having bodywork, I’m aware of my body enough to notice the neck and back pain start again. Then, I’ll get headaches, and I know I’m way overdue, and I have to make it a priority to schedule a session.

What makes massage so unique and particularly important for our health, as opposed to other methods of wellness?

Massage is a natural way to benefit your mind, body and soul.

Lisa embracing wellness in nature while on recent vacation in the mountains.

Considering the demands on our time and financial resources, what are some steps you would advise millennials to take in making massage therapy a part of their wellness routine?

Lisa Elerick:  If you find yourself uncomfortable or in pain on a regular basis, I suggest making it a priority to book a session with a massage therapist near you. If you’d like to book at a spa, I suggest calling to voice your preferences and anything you’d like to focus on. The front desk should be able to suggest a therapist that fits your needs. You may just want to relax with a Swedish massage, get stretched out with Thai massage, focus on specific muscle groups with sports massage, or get full body deep tissue work.

Before your session begins, give your therapist as much information as you can about your routines, medical history, and the current state of your body. This allows us to go into the massage with the knowledge we need to customize your experience to benefit you the most. At any point during the session, do not be afraid to communicate with the therapist if you want the pressure adjusted, if something does not feel right, or if you have any questions. We want to give you the best possible experience, and that only helps us!

What should one look for in a massage therapist?

Lisa Elerick:  What I personally look for in a therapist is good communication. Someone who listens and asks questions about my history, concerns and goals and then customizes the experience with that in mind. Everyone's massage technique will be different, so it's a matter of figuring out what your preferences are and communicating them.

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