Monday, December 4, 2006

How long should a massage be? The 30-60-90 minute debate

The length of a massage depends on your goals. If you'd like a full body massage for relaxation and de-stressing, you'll need at least 60 minutes. If you have a number of specific problem areas - perhaps a sore neck, back ache, knotted shoulders -- that you'd also like addressed by your massage therapist, then you may want to get 90 minutes. I even know very stressed executives and high level athletes who even get two hour massages every month.

30 minute massages are a good length for working in a focused way on a sole specific injury point. For example you may have tendonitis in your knee or elbow or recently diagnosed with plantar fascitis. Or you may have had recent surgery or a sports injury. (Note: Ask your doctor when its safe to get massage after surgery. He or she will usually ask you to wait a few weeks.)

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