3 answers
Aviana
Student
Newark, New Jersey
1
Question
Asked
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What are good methods to train yourself for long massage sessions??
I'm currently going to school for Massage Therapy. I love the idea of healing the body and providing therapeutic relief for others, but I'm not sure if I currently have the attention span to perform 60 - 90 minute sessions, which are the standard for a booking. As of now, I can only last about 15 - 20 minutes (terrible I know). Of course, I want to be able to strengthen this, so are there any personal methods or mental exercises that I can do to help?
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3 answers
Diana Rodriguez Velasquez
Psychologist
54
Answers
Memphis, Tennessee
Updated
Diana’s Answer
Hi Aviana! First of all, please don’t be hard on yourself—what you’re experiencing is very common for massage therapy students, and it’s something that can absolutely be trained over time.
Here are some practical and mental strategies that really help:
1. Build endurance gradually (just like muscle training)
Instead of jumping straight to 60–90 minutes:
-Practice in shorter blocks (20 → 30 → 45 minutes)
-Add 5–10 minutes each week
Your nervous system and body need time to adapt, and that’s normal.
2. Use structure to support focus
Long sessions feel overwhelming when they feel “open-ended.”
-Break sessions into clear sections (e.g., back, shoulders, legs, arms)
-Mentally tell yourself: “I’m focusing only on this area right now.”
This reduces mental fatigue and improves attention.
3. Practice grounding techniques
Attention span often drops when the mind drifts or the body tenses.
Try during practice:
-Slow, rhythmic breathing
-Matching your breath to your hand movements
-Staying focused on pressure, texture, and feedback from the body
This turns the session into a form of moving mindfulness.
4. Strengthen your body, not just your hands
Physical fatigue affects mental focus.
-Core and leg strength training
-Proper body mechanics
-Using body weight instead of hand force
Less strain = more endurance.
5. Reframe the session mentally
Instead of thinking “I have to last 90 minutes,” try:
-“I’m guiding someone through a therapeutic experience.”
A sense of purpose and connection often increases focus naturally.
Final reassurance
Endurance, attention, and confidence develop with practice—they are not fixed traits. Many excellent massage therapists started exactly where you are now.
You’re asking the right questions, and that already tells me you’re on the right path. Keep going—you’re building a skill, not failing at one.
Here are some practical and mental strategies that really help:
1. Build endurance gradually (just like muscle training)
Instead of jumping straight to 60–90 minutes:
-Practice in shorter blocks (20 → 30 → 45 minutes)
-Add 5–10 minutes each week
Your nervous system and body need time to adapt, and that’s normal.
2. Use structure to support focus
Long sessions feel overwhelming when they feel “open-ended.”
-Break sessions into clear sections (e.g., back, shoulders, legs, arms)
-Mentally tell yourself: “I’m focusing only on this area right now.”
This reduces mental fatigue and improves attention.
3. Practice grounding techniques
Attention span often drops when the mind drifts or the body tenses.
Try during practice:
-Slow, rhythmic breathing
-Matching your breath to your hand movements
-Staying focused on pressure, texture, and feedback from the body
This turns the session into a form of moving mindfulness.
4. Strengthen your body, not just your hands
Physical fatigue affects mental focus.
-Core and leg strength training
-Proper body mechanics
-Using body weight instead of hand force
Less strain = more endurance.
5. Reframe the session mentally
Instead of thinking “I have to last 90 minutes,” try:
-“I’m guiding someone through a therapeutic experience.”
A sense of purpose and connection often increases focus naturally.
Final reassurance
Endurance, attention, and confidence develop with practice—they are not fixed traits. Many excellent massage therapists started exactly where you are now.
You’re asking the right questions, and that already tells me you’re on the right path. Keep going—you’re building a skill, not failing at one.
Susana Flores Becerra
Culture and Engagement
2
Answers
Guadalajara
Updated
Susana’s Answer
I have cero expereince on Massage Therapy, but I think is great that you are interest on heal people and reliefe other´s peoples pain. I am a Psychologyst and we try to heal peoples minds so I understand the need to help others.
What I know that is super important on any long term process is the mind management, what I would iadvice to oyu to start woking loger is to have the mental exercise to dedicate each extra 5 minutes to a persone you love or care about, sometimes we put an extra effort when it comes to a person we care about better the ourselfs, some long distance runners do that for each mile so, I think it could helo you to start giving those extra minutes you want to acomplish.
What I know that is super important on any long term process is the mind management, what I would iadvice to oyu to start woking loger is to have the mental exercise to dedicate each extra 5 minutes to a persone you love or care about, sometimes we put an extra effort when it comes to a person we care about better the ourselfs, some long distance runners do that for each mile so, I think it could helo you to start giving those extra minutes you want to acomplish.
Andrés Guzmán Gutiérrez
EHS Manager/BCP
4
Answers
Guadalajara
Updated
Andrés’s Answer
Hello Aviana,
Im not a professional massagist, but i have friends they are, and they prepared with comfy shoes, strength their arms, and perform exercises in the hands. Also make sure that your arms are in good position since can´t be by ergonomics above your shoulders, the bed or device used for the massage needs to fit you. Remember prolonged postures will harm you, if you need to move around is better.
Im not a professional massagist, but i have friends they are, and they prepared with comfy shoes, strength their arms, and perform exercises in the hands. Also make sure that your arms are in good position since can´t be by ergonomics above your shoulders, the bed or device used for the massage needs to fit you. Remember prolonged postures will harm you, if you need to move around is better.