Which is better self-massage or assisted massage?

Each is best for different things. Self-Massage is best for treating the everyday aches and pains of daily life. Whether you’re an elite athlete or sit for a living, self-myofascial release (SMR) is best at relieving the inevitable muscle pain and soreness that life produces. SMR is a superior way to learn about your body, and what makes you feel better. Self-massage is a better way to regularly improve your mood. And unless you’re seeing a massage therapist daily, self-massage is a more effective way to strengthen your immune system and improve your health.

Self-massage is not about fixing serious or chronic injuries that have taken years to develop. It is not about replacing your massage therapist. It is about using your hands and a few massage tools to do what they can to improve the way you feel.

Assisted massage, aka massage therapy, is by definition more effective at treating muscle pain and soreness that self-massage fails to fix. And that almost certainly is its best use. Assisted massage is also much better at providing a thoroughly relaxing spa massage. And finally assisted massage is an excellent place to learn new massage techniques to apply to your own body or those of friends.