2 hour massage?!

[myrika_05]

I have a question...

What is the longest length of a massage treatment you would provide to clients?

I am manager of a Spa, and one of our VIP clients has requested a 2 hour massage.

I know VIPs clients are important, but I do not want to have any of my staff of massage therapists doing anything that is not physically healthy for them.

As well, I am curious.. after what length of time does a massage stop providing any benefit to the client? Is it even ethical to take a clients money for something we know isnt physiologically beneficial?

Thanks for your help

 

[Gmoney1000]

First I have to commend you for thinking first of your massage therapists, and second the well being of your clients, and not just the money you could be bringing in!

I have given several 2 hour massages, and one even went into 2 1/2 hours (which was really too long for me). Most of these massages were more on the medical side, working on particular issues, throughout the body. Although I do have a regular client that I have a 2 - 2 1/2 hour session with combining massage and energy work.

I know many other therapists have given 2 hour sessions as well. While it is not the norm, it is not unusual.

2 hour sessions can be very demanding on the therapist, make sure your therapist has the chance for a real break afterwards, at least 1/2 of real break time (not including sheet change etc). If this is the first 2 hour massage, I would be inclinded to give longer to see how they cope with it. The first one is the hardest I found.

As far as the clients are concerned, I'm sure they love it! (I've not had a session that long). I don't really see a problem with a 2 hour session, as long as they are in relative good health. I would encourage lots of water after though.

I would also make sure that your therapists feel up to doing a 2 hour massage.

Do you offer 90 minute massages?

 

[beeje]

I have a question...

What is the longest length of a massage treatment you would provide to clients?

I am manager of a Spa, and one of our VIP clients has requested a 2 hour massage.

I know VIPs clients are important, but I do not want to have any of my staff of massage therapists doing anything that is not physically healthy for them.

As well, I am curious.. after what length of time does a massage stop providing any benefit to the client? Is it even ethical to take a clients money for something we know isnt physiologically beneficial?

Hi. I perform 2 hour massage on a regular (weekly to every few weeks) on 2 clients. The one client is very tall and in excellent physical condition, and the fact is, it does take the full 2 hours to do a thorough job (deep tissue)on him.

The other, is a female, also in excellent physical condition with a strenuous job that takes a lot out of her legs and feet. Again, the two hours on her/ deep tissue with incorporated swedish for relaxation, is beneficial and needed.

I don't recommend it for everyone.... usually an hour and a half to an hour and 45 mins. does the trick, but if you have a therapist that is capable, it is worth it to book the massage for the client.

A few things to mention. Pretty much anyone can "do" a 2 hour. The problem is if they are good at it or not.

I will give you an example:

I was trying to help a massage student get through school and opted for a 2 hour from him. It was truly the worst massage of my life. I had only met the student through the school and was told he was the best at deep work, that they had. I thought, "Hey, I'll get a little extra work since I have the time and need it". Very, very bad mistake. Since the student wasn't familiar with multiple techniques, had poor (too light) pressure and didn't know how to work specific areas for a length of time, I layed there for 2 hours frustrated and wanting to say "stoppp!", but didn't have the nerve to put the poor guy through "that", after I had asked for more pressue allready and concentration in certain areas (that wasn't working out as expected).

So, I thoughed it out.

Please make sure and have your therapist do a 2 hour on you first, if you have any questions as to their ability, since this is a VIP client.

Also, I would suggest if your therapist works on you first, you get him/her a GC for whatever she would have made during that time, for another spa in your area (or some other token of appreciation).... and use it as a gift to him/her. This also provides a nice way to see what other places are doign in the area. I am sure your therapist would be happy to let you know where your place is standing compared to others, and it will make him/her happy (that you appreciated him/her).

 

[very_bored]

I have 2 clients who receive 2 hours each once a week. It is usually the husband and wife, but I also work on the daughter for 2 hours about once a month or everyother week.

I take the day and work on both of them taking about a 45 min. break for lunch in between. They all suffer from mulitple issues and 2 hours is often not enough. The majority of the massage is deep tissue and trigger point with a little swedish mixed in. I try not to take any other clients on that day.

I had a student once who went over on time and ended up massaging me for 3 hours - That was too much for me! I didn't feel well at all afterwards.

I regularly receive a 1.5 to 2 hour massage everyother week. It is usually just enough time to get my many issues worked out throughly.

 

[BB(Inspectah Deck Stan)]

Same here, I have a client who likes a 2 hour massage every other week. When I was in school, there were times I didnt plan my time wisely. Sometimes I would get a tiny woman or child and could get through with them in half an hour. I dreaded small people. Now, I know tons of techniques and I could probably work on someone for 3 hours. Two hours aint nuffin.

If you want to offer 2 hour sessions but your therapists arent crazy about them, charge a premium for them. I discount longer sessions. If you do not, you could charge a little more for the 2 hour session. That way your therapists would be more eager to step up to bat.

Christine

 

[Dannygirl]

Wellbeing aside, talking money here. A 2 hour massage does take a lot out of a therapist. You might consider including some sort of gratuity in with the massage fee. It's just making sure that your therapists are really well taken care of, IMHO.

Steph!

 

[Brendan L]

I had a 2 hour massage to do today. I love doing them...IF they have problem areas. Gives me the time to spend extra time on multiple areas if need be.

Oh and I didn't get tipped which usually doesn't bug me. But when I am going to bust my behind for 2 hours on one person... I would like some kind of tip.

 

[Confidence]

I dunno... maybe its just me, but two hour sessions are just fine with me. I would rather do 2 two hour sessions each day than 4 one hours. Less paperwork, less sheets, and less down time between clients. I dont find myself more tired after a two hour session than 2 one hours back to back. Its better even because of all the reasons I have listed.

Christine

 

[OMG seeds!]

I agree with Christine... and I actually do enjoy doing 2 hour massages.
In fact, 1.5 hr and 2 hr massages are my most favorite massages to do.
30 minute sessions are near impossible for me to do. Even hour sessions are challenging! I don't like having to "watch the clock" to make sure I "get it all in"... and like the "freedom" to be more "creative" with my massage.
There are really very few people on whom I couldn't find some areas that needed a "little more attention."

 

[Trudy J]

Indeed, commendations for considering the best interests of your therapists and clients above the dollar signs.

Add me to the list of therapists who enjoy doing 2 hour sessions. I find them less taxing than one hour sessions stacked up. They allow enough time to thoroughly deal with any issues the client might have and still not short the rest of the full body experience. Left to my own devices and throwing the clock out of the room, I would end up doing 2 hour sessions on pretty much every body that flopped on my table.

Maire

 

[Stuart D]

Thanks for posting your question. It's refreshing to see/hear a spa manager/owner mindful of the physicalities involved in providing massage.

As with many here, a hour massage just doesn't cut it and you need more time to accomplish even a modicum of positive change. I would first let the VIP understand that they probably won't be receiving two hours of fluff & buff; but rather, clinical issues would be addressed. Even with that said, however, a single two-hour massage is not a cure all. Depending upon the issues, a treatment plan may need to be developed. And a brief overall of the session (contract) should be agreed upon between the two parties.

I totally agree. The recipient should be in overall good health and a more thorough intake interview may be appropriate.

Another thing to consider is that you might be able to incorporate other modalities into a longer massage than 'just' Swedish. Along with TP therapy, there's contrast therapy (or at the very least heat). You could also use hot stones and if someone is trained in it, reflexology for the feet/hands. One of my favorites is incorporating a nice amount of work on the head and feet in extended sessions. (It's great for the client as well as an opportunity for the MT to sit for a while.)

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[A guy with too much time]

i do not offer 2 hour massages in my practice. i don't like doing them at all, and feel i can provide a thorough therapeutic experience in 90 minutes. it has nothing to do with my physical ability.
in a spa environment i can understand the need for an extended break for the mt afterwards.

 

[asitisnow]

I have a weekly client who comes for a 90 min massage but other than neck work, she only likes fluff stuff and sometimes it is the LONGEST massage to me. I could definitely do a two hour session but only if real work was involved.

I wonder how long would be too long. After a while I'd think a body just needs to stop being touched so it can process the therapy.

Has anyone learned about this issue in school?

 

[Khan K]

I wonder how long would be too long. After a while I'd think a body just needs to stop being touched so it can process the therapy.

Each person will be different, some people could be fine after 2 hours other feel like 90 mins is too much. If I had a client that was used to massage, has them all the time I'd say fine lets do the 2 hours. But if the client rarely recieves massage I'd step them up to 90 mins and then up to 2 hours......see how they do.

Steph!

 

[Sami. K]

Sorry for my late response, but I wanted to say thanks for all of your replies. Youll be happy to know that I read all of your answers, and decided not to give in to the VIP client's request.

For the record, I am a massage therapist myself, so I am aware of the physical nature of a treatment, and I am extremely protective of those in the profession. But I myself have never worked as a therapist in a spa, and since the dynamics and the wear on your body is different from running your own clinic, I felt a need to put the question out there.

I sort of fell into this management position. (At the time, I needed a steady job while I was investing in my own business to help massage students).

My business, RMTStudents.com (sorry, its a shameless plug, but i just couldnt help it) is now up and running, but I stayed on as manager because I am driven to make this spa succeed for them. Their well being is my number one priority, and I truly believe that any business success has to start by treating your own people as well as you treat your clients. Besides, these MTs are the greatest group of people I have ever worked with.

... Anyways, thanks again for your advice and insights

 

[xfire_2]

I myself like scheduling people for sessions. A session is anywhere between and hour and a half and two hours. I stop where it seems appropriate and what the client wants.

In my opinion the toughest massage to give is the one hour full body massage. I'm always rushing to the next body part not able to stay in one position two long to work out issues. Lets face it a lot of times it turns out to be a fluf and buff, and thats something I don't myself feel personally good about. Not critisizing just not my cup of tea.

A session in which I have the freedom to do either an hour and a half or two hours is perfect. Say I want to spend thrity minutes just on the feet, I still have plenty of time left to cover the rest of the body. I find myself sweating with effort in trying to adequately cover the body in a theraputic mode in one hour, it just plains sucks : I really can't develop my rythum because I'm watching the clock.

Thats why I can't work for anyone else because I can't do just an hour, although I must say I do a section or bodypart in 45 to 50 minutes and that feels good to me.


Your mileage may vary but for me a two hour massage is great as long as the client can take it, and their not to toxic to handle it.

Jason

 

[Wyatt]

I offer 1, 1.5, and 2hr sessions.
Doing 2hrs is no problem, and in fact allows incorporating far more than additional time on each part. More than half of my clients regularly book 1.5hrs, and a few occasionally book 2 hrs. The 1 hr sessions are usually pain relief focused rather than relaxation. I can do a fair job in a 1hr full body, but also feel rushed, and have to clock watch. My times are also time on the table times, not in the door times. I do have to watch how I hold up, and book clients on those 2h session days so that I have extra rest time. The regular 2hr clients are some of my best referrers.

Darren

 

[Carol]

I was just thinking after working on a client yesterday. I think a three hour massage would be just right. Could focus all that I want, of course the person would have to be use to getting bodywork. Three hours yes. Now my wife and I usually do 1.5 to 2 hour tandem massages and that doesn't seem too long.

jason

 

[Vishal]

I have done a 2 hour deep tissue massage, this client wanted very deep. If it was a combination of swedish and deep tissue I don't think it would have been too bad, but I didn't like it.
Also, another option would be to switch therapists after the first hour. If the client really wants 2 hours they probably won't mind.

 

[Talltail]

You know I've been oscillating between doing a 1.5 or 2 hour massage. I have to say I just like doing 2 hour massages. I think I might limit my practice to that. Maybe say their paying for a 1.5 to 2 hour massage then always give them about a 2 hour session. I just can't seem to practice my 'art' on anything less then 2 hours, even on regular clients. If I stop at 1.5 hours I feel incomplete and it bothers me doesn't give me a warm fuzzy.


Jason