In Jainism, the view is very clear and quite different from “modern science says it is good”.

1. What does Jain Dharma look at first?

Jain Dharma always looks at an action mainly from the angle of:

• Ahimsa (non‑violence, including towards oneself)
• Control of senses (indriya‑nigrah)
• Brahmacharya (restraint in sexual matters)
• Kashāy (anger, pride, deceit, greed) and passions like lust

Modern medical science usually talks only about the physical body. Jainism talks about the soul and its bondage with karma.

So even if something does not cause obvious physical disease, it can still be spiritually harmful.

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2. Masturbation in Jain view

For both Digambar and Shvetambar traditions, the core idea is:

• Sexual activity is meant to be restricted even for householders (shravaks / shravikas).
• Extra, uncontrolled sexual indulgence (including masturbation) is seen as:

- Strengthening lust (rāg, kaām) - Increasing ashrav (inflow of karmas) - Making the mind restless, outward‑going, and attached to the body

• For sādhus–sādhvīs, any sexual activity, including masturbation, is a serious violation of brahmacharya mahāvrat.

So, Jain Dharma does not call masturbation “good” or “healthy”. At best, it is seen as an indulgence that delays spiritual progress.

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3. “But science says if you suppress it, body will suffer”

From a Jain standpoint:

• Mere non‑indulgence does not harm the body.
• What harms is:

- Constant fantasizing, - Repression with guilt, - No effort to purify thoughts, only mechanical suppression.

Jain path teaches:

• Gradually reducing sexual excitement through:

- Right food (mitāhār, avoiding刺激/rajasic food), - Good company, - Avoiding sensual triggers, - Swādhyāy, samayik, pratikraman, - Meditation on the pure soul.

When the mind is purified, control becomes natural; it is not harmful.

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4. For a householder in today’s world

Plain, practical Jain view:

• Ideal:

- Use sexuality only within marriage, with restraint, for dharmic family life. - Avoid pornography, fantasies, and solo indulgence.

• If someone is already in the habit of masturbation:

- Do not drown in guilt or self‑hate (that also binds karma). - Acknowledge it as a dosha (fault) in brahmacharya. - Do alpa‑alpa tyāg – slowly reduce frequency and intensity. - Do pratikraman when it happens, with honest regret and a small resolve to improve.

So Jainism would say:

• No, masturbation is not “good for health” in the spiritual sense.
• It may not create a big physical disease by itself, but it feeds lust and attachment, which is harmful for the soul.

You can read a related discussion here