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Average Length of Sessions

what's your average length of a session? do you mostly do 60 minutes on the table or is it more like 50 hands on and 10 of intake? or maybe you routinely give a 90 minute?

I am currently just supplementing my income through massage, so i have been able to NOT put a timeframe on my sessions. now i know my teachers would be screaming at me if they ever knew. but the fact is...a regular basic routine is 60 minutes. if you find areas that need more specialized work than you either have to go over the 60 or you have to sacrifice some place else. i prefer to go over and give a full body integrated massage based on the client's needs. My clients know this ahead of time. Most of my massages run 80 minutes...with some a little more and some a little less.

thoughts?

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Trevor Chisman on October 9, 2009 at 1:43pm

Hi Lisa

I do hour long slots and because there's usually someone else in the waiting room ready and waiting for their appointment I can't run over by even 5 or 10 minutes.

I do often find there is still work that is required come the end of the session but over the years i've come to learn I can't fix everything in one session and some things actually need time. It us often impotant for the body to absorb changes a little at a time.

I try to educate my clients to this and the focus on the next treatment may be different from the previous one.

Also I don't always do full body, some sessions will be spot work whilst others will be more general full body massages.

I find this works best for me and my clients but I am like you in that i often wish I could continue with a few extra moves or techniques before the session ends but for my business I have to work to the clock to a certain degree.

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Permalink Reply by Karla Linden on October 9, 2009 at 2:13pm

I normally have the client on the table for 60 minutes - and schedule each session every 90 minutes - so there are 10 minutes or so before and after as a buffer, to talk, etc.

http://www.KarlaLinden.com

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Permalink Reply by Jessi Talbot on October 9, 2009 at 3:16pm

Hi, my average is also @ least 80-90 minutes. I completely agree with you when you stated the difficulty of completing a massage in 60 minutes if special attention is needed in a specific area, which is true of most clients. I think this only makes you a better therapist, recognizing the importance of alleviating the clients pain versus "cramming" all you can into the 60 minute time alloted. However, I never charge more for the longer session. If they schedule an hour session I tell them I usually run to about 90 minutes to avoid interference with their schedules. Clients appreciate the attention you focus on them and are more likely to rebook.

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Permalink Reply by Lisa on October 9, 2009 at 3:56pm

i also don't charge more for more time. i charge per "session" versus per "hour" and i have found that clients are very appreciative. they almost feel like they are getting something "extra". which to some therapists...they might be. but most of my clients are mountain bikers and they almost always need extra attention somewhere. I have also found that i usually make up what i'm not charging for with the extra time spent, in tips, because the client is appreciative of the time i've spent with them. it has also helped me attain repeat clientelle. However, since i work a full time job as well, i am afforded the ability to do this. and wondered if that would have to change if/when i make massage full time instead.

Jessi Talbot said:

Hi, my average is also @ least 80-90 minutes. I completely agree with you when you stated the difficulty of completing a massage in 60 minutes if special attention is needed in a specific area, which is true of most clients. I think this only makes you a better therapist, recognizing the importance of alleviating the clients pain versus "cramming" all you can into the 60 minute time alloted. However, I never charge more for the longer session. If they schedule an hour session I tell them I usually run to about 90 minutes to avoid interference with their schedules. Clients appreciate the attention you focus on them and are more likely to rebook.

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Permalink Reply by Lina Petridis on October 9, 2009 at 5:55pm

Lisa when you work for others..being right on time is very important...When I used to work every hour..with ten minutes to change the sheets...... Our Company had to call it 50 minutes, not I hour .The clients are very aware of the time. It was more stressful for us to provide good service and be on time. The only advantage was getting more work in shorter time and leave sooner. Now that we have 15 minutes in between.. the day seems longer. The pay is less.
I also have a private office..and work 1 & 1l1/2 and 2 hours and there I feel more comfortable plus free to finish as I desire.
The problem with going over time is that some would expect it.. and if the agreement is for one hour.. it is still better to stay..within the time agreed or you will attract people who will take advantage of you.
good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Greg Jones on October 9, 2009 at 11:48pm

Hi Lisa,

In my practice we book 1/2 to 3 hour table sessions. I have a lot of 1&1/2 to 2 hour sessions and a rare 3. The other therapists I work with book mostly 1 to 1&1/2 hour sessions. If you book an hour session you will receive a full hour on the table. I have a 30 minute turn around between sessions to allow for basic medical histories, testing, or going over to educate and demonstrate techniques they normally don't request; which I don't charge for. If the client has complex issues I suggest they book an extra hour on top of their massage time on their next visit to allow time to go over their complex medical history more thoroughly and complete special tests. After the first visit we set the session lengths we agree on for the future.

As Trevor and others mentioned if you have multiple bookings you have to honor your clients time and be ready on time for the next client.

If you have clients you are unable to complete a full body within their appointment time you can always suggest they extend the session length for a more complete experience. You will always have clients you could spend more time on.

Be Well