Massage Session Sequence Considerations

When performing massage, it’s important to think about where to start, how to organize the session, and where to end. On a basic level, therapists need to decide where the session will begin. In a relaxation massage, the most obvious choice is often the back. However, many therapists—especially when starting the client supine—begin with the neck, since this area can be deeply relaxing.

Ending the session also varies by therapist. Some prefer to finish at the feet to help ground the client, while others end at the head to encourage deeper relaxation.

All of this works well when the goal of the session is relaxation. The situation becomes clearer when a client comes in with pain. In those cases, our recommendation is to work on the area of pain first, so the client doesn’t feel like their primary concern was overlooked. I’ve received massage sessions where the therapist either forgot which area I was hurting or didn’t address the issue I came in for. Because of this, therapists should always start with the area of greatest concern before moving into the rest of the session.

Below is a short video that demonstrates how to sequence a massage session effectively.

If you’d like to develop stronger session-planning skills and learn how to adapt sequencing for different client goals, our Structural Massage course explores assessment, technique choice, and session organization in depth. It’s designed to help therapists move beyond routines and work with clearer intention and confidence.