How Long Should a Massage Be?

For the massage therapist to adequately warm up the tissue, perform quality work and for the body to integrate the changes into the tissue, 30 to 90 minutes is an industry accepted length of time. ½ hour massages are warranted for older people and those with more frail physical conditions as well as for children.

In Thailand the Thai massages last for two to three hours, but their daily lives and culture includes more stretching and activity compared to the more sedentary American lifestyle. We advise against going over the 1 ½ hour massage time. Unless your body is attuned to significant bodywork, it is difficult for your body to integrate and you may end up with more soreness after the massage then before. Massage should never be painful. If the bodywork is done correctly you should be able to feel restoration quite soon or right away.

If you are unsure about whether you will enjoy or benefit from massage start with a 15 minute chair massage. You stay fully dressed seated in a specialized chair while the therapist focuses on the neck, shoulder and back. For all massage and bodywork, know the credentials of the therapist, ask questions and provide feedback to get the right treatment for you.