3/31/2009

Session Lengths

30, 60, 90 minutes. These are the typical lengths of a massage. Each 30 minute increment completely alters the type of massage one receives. 30 minutes is only enough time to work on 1 muscle group. This type of appt. is for someone that does not have the time for a full massage, but still needs work done. It's also a good alternative for those that need/want bodywork but do not want spend as much money. 60 minutes is the standard length of a massage session. There are a number of things we can do in an hour. We can do a full body and work on everything and also be able to focus on one area. I can focus on more than 1 area in the hour, however it depends on the muscle groups. 1 hour is not enough time to focus on the shoulder AND legs. There are 2 other options when receiving a 60 minute massage. 1. You can delete muscle groups to spend more time on others. For instance, if you are a desk worker and a runner, you may opt for me to not do your arms so I can apply that time on your legs. 2. We can spend the whole hour on one group. I do recommend this to some clients that need a lot of work done let's say on their upper body. If I spend the full hour on their shoulder, back, and neck, I can achieve more from deeper and more specific work. 90 minute sessions are for people that need/want a lot of deep work done on multiple muscle groups. You know that desk worker/runner I mentioned? They may not want delete any muscle groups from the session, in fact they may want deep work done on every group. 90 minutes is perfect for that. You do not have to be an athlete for 90 minutes, it is about what kind of work you want done and how detailed you want me to get at it. I have recently added a 75 minute session to the options. This is for somoene that needs a little more time than an hour but they don't want to spend the time or money on the full 90 minutes. This is an excellent way to get a little more work done without the lengthy commitment. Everyone always wants to know what I do. I get 90 minutes, always. Besides being a full time massage therapist, I work out a lot and also spend quite a number of hours on the computer doing work for my practice. I need/want deep and specific work done on all the muscle groups and I am not willing to give up any of them; 90 minutes it is.



There has developed an industry standard that has really disturbed me. There are places that do not give the full amount of time, in fact, that is their policy. Let's say you book a 60 minute massage. There are places that will refer to the session as 60 minutes, but fail to mention that the time includes your interview with the therapist as well as getting on and off the table. This can reduce the table time to 45-50 minutes!! This is not enough time to do a good job, nor is it ethical. This is done mostly in spas and chiropractor offices. I will give some spas credit, for they sometime mention in their brochures and sites that one's massage time includes what I have listed above, or they simply refer to a 60 minute massage as a 50 minute massage. At least you know what you will be getting... For the chiropractors I believe they shorten the time b/c of a different mindset. They see it as being in a doctor's office, so you are paying for 60 minutes with the therapist, not a 60 minute massage. In this circumstance, you are pretty much at the discretion of the therapist and what they seem as fit for your time. I strongly disagree with this practice. When I book a 60 minute massage, you better believe that I expect 60 minutes on the table getting work done. That is what I booked, that is what I am paying for, that should be what I get. If a place stipulates otherwise, that is fine, you are aware. But for those that just charge for the full time and cut it, that's false advertising and unethical.



In my office, if you book a 60 minute massage, you will be on my table receiving bodywork for a full 60 minutes. The time it takes for me to discuss your session and you getting on and off the table is booked into the appt. as extra time. I book a full 20 minutes extra w/ each appt. and 30 minutes for new clients. This is really how it's typically done and any deviation of this is poor service if you ask me. if you are late for your appt, depending on my schedule and how late you are, I may be able to give you the full time but chances are I won't. This will be specifically discussed before you get on the table so you are aware of what you will be receiving.



What I want you to take away from this is to be an educated consumer. If you pay for a certain service, you should receive it. If you are not sure, ask.