What is a Full Body Massage? Exploring Benefits, Types & What To Expect

Ever felt the need to just unwind and get a massage but didn’t know where to start? We get it, and we’re here to help.

This article breaks down what a full body massage is, what to expect, how much it costs, and how long it takes. Put simply, we will explain how you can get the most out of it.

What to Know Before Your First Session

Well, before we answer this, it’s important to note that different SPAs will offer different initial experiences for their customers. Typically, though, you’ll have the option to check with your massage therapist about a session before you get to the massage table. 

Initial Preparation

Before we enjoy in the relaxing escape of a massage, there are certain steps we always take to ensure the best experience possible.

Step 1 Do Your Homework

Research often involves finding out about the facility you want to visit. Lucky for you there’s all-reliable internet to start. Find out if the facility has licensed practitioners and is also insured.

Researching can also include asking friends and family for recommendations.

If you opt to check for a SPA online, try reading reviews on Yelp, Google, and Facebook. Go through organic reviews to find the best recommendations. 

Step 2 Choose Your Massage Type

We will discuss the different types in a minute. Before that, if this is your first ever session, then your best bet is to schedule your massage based on time. Typically 30, 60, or 90 minutes. Your therapist will then walk you through what is best for you.

Step 3 Freshen Up

Take a shower before your massage. You don’t want to hit the relaxation table covered in sweat or dirt. Coming straight from the gym to the massage table will ruin your experience. Some SPAs have showers in case you want to freshen up. 

At the SPA

When you have chosen your SPA and have observed the initial steps, it’s time to meet the therapist.

Some SPAs will ask you to fill in some paperwork – from our experience, you’ll answer a few questions about your health history and some personal info that the therapist may want to know to make your experience great. 

After answering these questions, if the SPA has a tranquility room, the therapist will ask you to take a few minutes to relax before they can begin working on you. In this room you can also undress to your comfort level and wear a comfy robe. 

Once the therapist is ready, they’ll show you to the massage room where you can further discuss what the session will entail. You will then lie on the table. 

What does a Full Body Massage Consist of?

An hour session involves massaging the head (including the scalp), neck and shoulders, arms, all the way to the feet.

If you started facing up, the therapist will ask you to face down so they can work on your glutes. Note that you can discuss glute massage prior to starting because it can be pretty intense.

Your therapist will then massage your back. The session can end with a scalp or clearing your sinuses.

Benefits Explained

Before diving into the various types of massages, let’s first explore the benefits of a full body treatment.

These include:

1. Improved Sleep – Trouble sleeping? Apparently you’re not the only one. According to CDC^​1​ 1 in 3 Americans struggle to get a good night’s sleep. Not sleeping enough can cause mental and physical problems. But don’t worry, if you can get a full body massage, then your sleep problems can disappear. 
2. Stress Relief – One of the main reasons people look for a massage is so they can get rid of stress and anxiety. There’s just something about the gentle massage strokes and the deeply relaxing music that does the trick. 
3. Increased Muscle Health – If you’ve stuck around long enough after an NFL game you must’ve seen some players get a massage. Qualified physios do this to help reduce the risk of injury and also relieve muscle tension. It also helps to improve muscle recovery after an intense match^​2​. If you are involved in running, a gym-goer, or are a sports player, an occasional full body massage can help you stay on top of your game a lot of the time. 
4. Improved Blood Circulation – This type of massage can regenerate your entire body. Nothing restores better than improved blood flow^​3,4​. The cells get plenty of oxygen, which positively affects your well-being. You’ll get a glowing complexion and you’ll notice you’re a bit more tuned in when you need to be. 

Exploring Types of Full Body Massages

So, what types of full body treatment can you expect? You might’ve probably heard about a few of these, but do you really know what each entails?

We will not bore you with minute details, but here are a few you should know:

Hot Stone Massage

This type of massage isn’t very different from Swedish massage, except here, the therapist will use hot stones in addition to their magical hands.

Expect heated stones on different areas of your body. You will also notice the therapist using a heated stone to apply Swedish massage movements.

You’ll only have your underwear on for this kind of massage. If you’re about decency, don’t be – you will be covered in a sheet the whole time.

Some benefits of the hot Stone Massage include:

• Improved blood flow
• Reduced muscle pain
• Improved relaxation
• Stress relief
• Eased muscle tension 

So, Which is the Best One?

Well, this might be a trick question. But the answer lies with what the patient wants.

Since you are looking for a first-time full body massage, we’d say go for the Swedish massage. It gets the job done and is easy on your body.

However, there may be times when other types of massages are more suitable. For example, Thai massage has been known to help alleviate migraines in cancer patients. Either way, you can explore the range of benefits each massage offers to get what you want.

My Best Full-Body Massage Preference

Let’s briefly talk about deep tissue massage. This type of massage isn’t for the faint-hearted but is also the most robust, especially if you have serious muscle issues.

I go for this because you can have your own full body massage session at home.

How’s that? Massage guns.

Massage guns aren’t therapists in themselves, but they come in handy when you can’t access a SPA. For deep tissue massage using massage guns, we recommend going for high amplitude guns that can hit deep into the muscles.

We’re talking Theragun, Ekrin B37S, Achedaway Pro, Bob and Brad D6 Pro. Make sure to check our entire guide where we test and compare a lot of high amplitude massage guns at once.

Making the Most of Your Massage

Practical Tips

Now that you’re familiar with what a full body massage entails, let’s focus on how to make the most of it.

1. Only book the session length that works best for you. Booking a session will depend on the time you have to spend at the massage table. We recommend booking an hour-long session. If you have plenty of time, go for a 2-hour session. This will give your therapist plenty of time to work on your entire body and relieve tension. 
2. Drink water. We would’ve said, “drink plenty of water,” but that may be construed. We recommend taking water throughout the day to stay hydrated. Don’t chug on water 30 minutes before the massage time. You don’t want to keep leaving the table every few minutes to empty your bladder.
3. Don’t eat a large meal an hour or two before the massage. That way your body doesn’t spend quality massage time digesting the meal. If you must eat, go for light food. Fruits and nuts will do. 
4. Before lying on the table, remove all jewelry – actually, don’t even wear jewelry to the SPA. Leave your watches, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets at home. This lets your therapist focus solely on your body and give you the best experience possible. 

During the Massage

Wondering what to wear to a massage? You are not alone in this.

We already have an article for this, so feel free to check it for all the details. But just for this piece, we recommend going for light clothes that you can easily take off.

Remember you’ll probably only have your underwear on at the table.

Your massage therapist will provide a cozy robe to wear as you wait and cover you with a towel or sheet when working on your muscles. 

Cost and Duration

How Much is it?

So, how much can you expect to pay for a full body massage? Well, the price will vary with each SPA.

However, you should expect to part with $50 to $150 depending on the type of massage you need.

Remember that the SPA’s location may affect how much you pay for your session. The type of massage may also affect the price. For example, expect deep tissue massage to cost slightly more compared to a Swedish massage.

How Long Does it Take?

As we’ve already seen, you can book a whole body massage that lasts an hour or two, depending on how much time you have on your hands.

However, it’s also important to note that some massages will take longer than others. For instance, if you go for a deep tissue massage, expect the session to last a bit longer. This is because the therapist has to carefully and thoroughly work the affected muscle tissues.

Related Feeling Sick After a Massage: Navigating the Uncomfortable

FAQs

Conclusion

You now have a clear picture of what a full body massage involves, its benefits, and the various types available.

Keeping in mind the best practices for before and during the massage will ensure you enjoy maximum benefits. If you’re ready to experience this relaxation, plenty of SPAs are just a booking away.

But if you’re pressed for time and can’t visit a SPA, don’t worry – massage guns have got you covered. These convenient devices offer a quick and effective way to enjoy a relaxing massage anytime, anywhere, helping you achieve a relaxed and healthy state of body and mind.