Health care massage uses relatively gentle force, giving a person a comfortable feeling, and the massage duration can be slightly longer.
Medical massage is different. A long massage duration does not necessarily guarantee better efficacy, while a short one does not necessarily mean poor results.
The key issue lies in whether it is possible to accurately locate the affected area and administer proper supports. As long as the affected area is accurately located and the supports techniques are appropriate, the duration of massage does not necessarily have to be very long. A full-body massage generally lasts between 40 to 50 minutes, with a maximum duration not exceeding 1 hour.
Because medical massage generally involves relatively heavy force and prolonged duration, it not only fails to supports the wellness but may also damage the skin or subcutaneous tissue, and even trigger aseptic inflammatory reactions in the body’s tissues.
In addition, the effects of massage on nerve stimulation are as follows: light and short massage stimulation can excite the cutaneous nerves, giving a person a relaxed and comfortable feeling; while heavy and long massage stimulation can reduce the excitability of the cutaneous nerves, putting them in a state of inhibition.
In addition, prolonged and heavy massage can increase the body’s resistance and lead to excessive adaptation, causing patients to require increasingly stronger massage forces and become more and more dependent on it. When manual massage becomes insufficient, they may even request to be struck with sticks or rods on their bodies.
There have been such precedents in our clinical practice. Especially nowadays, various types of massage services are widely available, with varying levels of quality. Some massages last one to two hours or even longer. This approach is neither medically sound nor does it address the root problems, let alone supports wellness. The belief that longer massage durations and heavier pressure are always better is extremely misguided and should be corrected.
Interesting point about gentle force! I’ve always felt that deep tissue isn’t always better—sometimes lighter pressure combined with longer
Très intéressant ! Je me demandais justement si les massages devaient être douloureux pour être efficaces. Bon à savoir que la pression modérée suffit pour les bienfaits santé. J’essaierai d’être moins exigeante
Interesting! I always assumed deeper pressure meant better results, but this makes sense – gentle and consistent probably helps the body relax without causing more tension. Thanks for sharing!
Interesting that gentle pressure is actually more effective for health benefits. I always assumed deeper was better. Anyone know what the ideal duration is for a therapeutic massage?