How long is too long?

[i likes cheese!]

A therapist at the clinic where I work did a 3 hour massage last week. Something about this didn't seem very therapeutic to me. I am wondering if this might even be dangerous to the client. Other than not going to the bathroom for 3 hours (therapist or client), can any of you think of any reasons such a long massage might not be a good idea?

 

[Lightning]

Depends on the session, in my opinion.

How much was massage? How much was energy work? Stretching? Trigger point? Myofascial? Etc, etc.

Down at the Upledger Intensive Program clinic, clients will get about 8+ hours of work per day. It's mainly CST, but can include any tools the therapist has that the client's body asks for: Lymph, Visceral, Acupressure, Massage ...

However, it is not 8 hours non-stop; and the client works with talk therapists, PTs, OTs, DCs, MDs, so that is is a complete holistic approach.

So, I don't think 3 hours is too much IF the therapist is listening to and respecting both the client's body and his/her needs (bathroom, energy, etc.) during the session

 

[chris m]

I have done a few 3 hour sessions, but not many. There is no reason to be afraid of the interruption of getting a drink or using the bathroom, so if that causes problems, all you have to do is skip the old "rules" of massage school and focus on comfort. True comfort is only going to happen when the needs are met.

I don't think a long session is going to be a comfortable experience for just anybody, and for those who occasionally need it, that is a "special case". Those I've given a 3 hour massage to don't normally get a 3 hour massage! There was a specific issue and it just took time to work it out. It did involve many different techniques.

 

[i ? hershey ?????]

I've had a 3 hour massage before. It was wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!

:massage:

I think it's important to take the medical health of the client in consideration. I wouldn't do a 3 hr session on those whom were in bad health or had too many contraindications, but if the client is relatively healthy they should be fine.

I also think it's important to mix it up a bit. Three hours of straight relaxation or deep tissue might be too much.

When I did my 3 hour massage I had about an hour of myofascial on my low back/hips/legs then an hour of NMT on my neck/shoulders and then ended with a full-body relaxation massage. It was wonderful and the next day I was not a bit sore.

With a 3 hour session, I think it reasonable to for everyone to expect a bathroom break somewhere in there for both the client and the therapist.

Angie

 

[aumnamashivaaum]

I have done 3 hr massages a few times before... and quite frankly really enjoy giving them. In most cases the person receiving them has not had massage in awhile and really is committed to working out their issues (whether they have to do with the body, mind or spirit).

That being said, 2 hr sessions are much more common for me to give. And I enjoy receiving a 2 hr session as well. However, it can be hard to locate other MTs who offer 2 hr sessions. Where I work some of the MTs have trouble doing 1.5 hr sessions but to me they're much more enjoyable and feel more complete than a mere hour.

I do think it depends on the person though, not every one would be comfortable receiving a 1.5 hr, 2 hr, or 3 hr session, but for those who do enjoy it... I'm game!

 

[awm_2266]

Thank you everyone for your insight. Although, I will probably not be doing or receiving a 3 hour massage any time soon, I feel better knowing that other people have experienced them.

Any more comments would be welcome.

 

[Sean G]

Daphne, here's an old thread on 2-hour massages, but the discussion evolved to include opinions on longer sessions & if a session is ever too long:

http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4174

 

[The Goods]

I've done one nonstop massage of about 4-1/2 hours. It combined a variety of relaxation and therapeutic techniques, and I worked the whole body. The client was very healthy and had no medical issues to be concerned about, and I had previously worked on her.

That said, she was pretty groggy and felt some aftereffects when the session was done. Drank a ton of water and slept like a rock, then felt great the next day.

 

[DeathVolker]

I've done a few 2 hours but never a 3 hour. Not only do I have to consider the client's overall health, but mine as well. If I were to do a longer session, then I'd agree with the massage rules being thrown out the window - drinking water, stretching, bathroom call. But I could imagine the benefits of longer sessions. Most of my sessions are currently 90s and can easily get to 2 hours. And with longer sessions, there's obviously the additional time to address areas in a more cohesive manner.

Good thread.

 

[Firecracker .]

I've always loved the idea of doing day-long "retreat" sessions with a client. Maybe start with some light energy work, move into some EFT, then perhaps deeper energy work. Break for lunch, then on to structural work, finishing up with relaxation work.