PRESS Full Body - Union Square

A typical full body massage covers all areas of the body, including your head (scalp, crown, temples, forehead), neck (sternocleidomastoid, scalenes, trapezius), shoulders (rhomboid, rotator cuff muscles), arms and hands, back (upper, middle, lower), hips (glutes, piriformis)legs (calves, hamstrings, quadriceps), and feet.

Depending on your specific needs and preferences, the massage may include Swedish relaxation techniques (long gliding strokes to promote relaxation and circulation), deep tissue trigger point therapy (applying targeted pressure on specific areas of tension), stretching and joint mobilization therapy.

A full body massage begins with an assessment of your body to determine which areas require the most attention. The therapist will then apply massage oil, which can vary depending on the spa. At PRESS, we use a blend of soothing essential oils to help calm and relax your body during the massage. We also provide comfortable lavender eye pillows for complete relaxation.

Once the massage oil has been applied, the therapist will begin to employ a series of strokes to warm up your body (starting with your neck, shoulders, and back) and will slowly work through your major muscle groups to relieve stress, tension and tightness. By the time the massage is over, your entire body should feel relaxed, rejuvenated, and renewed.

Generally, it takes about 60 minutes for a full-body massage. However, depending on your specific needs and preferences, the length of the massage can vary.

At PRESS, we offer two different full-body massage sessions: 60-minute and 90-minute, each 100% tailored to suit your individual needs. The length you choose will depend on how much time you have available as well as your goals for the massage.

The 90-minute session will provide more time for your therapist to work on all your muscle groups while giving each area more attention, while the 60-minute session is perfect for a quick pick-me-up that targets specific parts of your body.

However, no matter how long you choose, one thing is sure: you will leave feeling relaxed and refreshed.

While a full-body massage can be therapeutic and enjoyable, the benefits go far beyond relaxation. A full body massage can help with: 

A full body massage can help alleviate tight muscles and eliminate pain in the lower back area. The major cause of lower back pain is often  muscle tension. By stretching and massaging  the muscles, a full body massage can help to loosen and relax these tight muscles, reducing the back pain.

A full-body massage can help alleviate nerve pain in two ways. First, it can help relax tense muscles. Tense muscles often put pressure on the nerves, resulting in pain. Relaxing those muscles through a massage reduces the pressure on nerves. In turn, this helps relieve nerve pain. 

Second, massage therapy helps stimulate the release of endorphins. Endorphins are the body's natural painkillers and can help reduce nerve pain.

Massage therapy can be beneficial for digestive disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome. 

Massage therapy can help stimulate the movement of the large intestine and relax tight muscles in the abdomen, allowing the body to pass through gas and waste more easily. This can help alleviate symptoms of digestive disorders and improve overall digestive health.

A full-body massage can help reduce symptoms of anxiety. By deeply calming the body and allowing it to relax, massage can help lower cortisol levels and increase serotonin levels, which help reduce stress and improve mood.

In addition to the aforementioned benefits, a full body massage can help with other conditions like neck and shoulder pain, scoliosis, carpal tunnel syndrome, TMJ, headaches, osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia. Also, when practiced regularly, it may even reduce blood pressure, and improve overall wellness.

A massage can be tailored to meet your individual needs. Depending on what you are looking for, there are several types of massage available, including:

Also known as Swedish relaxation massage, this is one of the most popular types of massage. It is designed to improve circulation, reduce tension and muscle soreness, and induce a state of complete relaxation. 

In a Swedish massage, the therapist uses long soft strokes directed towards the heart to improve blood circulation as well as light to medium kneading and rolling of the muscles to tackle knots and relieve tension. 

This therapeutic massage is ideal for those looking to alleviate their stress and anxiety or just looking to relax and unwind after a long day. 

Deep tissue massage is a therapy that targets deep layers of muscle and the surrounding tissues. It's designed to reduce pain by breaking down knots and scar tissue, releasing muscle tension, and restoring healthy circulation.

Unlike a Swedish massage, the therapist uses firm pressure and slow strokes to reach deeper layers of the muscle.

This type of massage is particularly beneficial for those who participate in intense exercise, have chronic pain, have limited range of motion, or need to restore mobility.

However, it's important to note that deep tissue massage can feel intense, so it's important to speak with your massage therapist about what level of pressure is comfortable for you.

Prenatal massage is a type of massage that focuses on the specific needs of pregnant people. It's designed to reduce pregnancy-related aches and pains, reduce swelling, improve circulation, and relax.

At PRESS, our Modern Massage Prenatal session is designed specifically to tackle hip and lower back pain, leg cramping, swollen feet and ankles, as well as neck tension. During the massage session, our trained massage therapists take precautions and use special massage techniques to ensure the safety and comfort of both the client and baby. y. In addition, we offer supportive maternity pillows to ensure maximum comfort and relaxation.

It is safe to receive prenatal massage before, during, and after pregnancy: however if you have specific concerns, please consult with your doctor or medical care team prior to booking a massage. We strive for a safe and enjoyable experience for all.

Yes, we recommend tipping your massage therapist as a sign of appreciation for their hard work and time. The work that a massage therapist does takes a lot of education (1200 hours in NY!), physical endurance, continuing education, and lots of practice. It is their passion and deep respect for their craft that helps you feel better, so gratuity is a great way to show your appreciation for the quality of service they provide you with.

Generally, tipping is at your discretion; however, a recommended amount would be around 20% of the total cost of the massage, as this is the standard gratuity for a massage therapist in the massage industry.

It is important to refrain from eating a heavy meal, drinking alcohol or coffee, consuming any kind of stimulant (such as energy drinks or pre-workouts), or taking any type of medication right before your massage. These can all make you feel uncomfortable during the massage. 

Instead, we suggest you eat a light snack about an hour or two before the massage session, drink plenty of water, and arrive a few minutes early, so you have time to relax and get comfortable before the massage begins.

If you feel uncomfortable or in pain during the massage, let your therapist know so they can adjust their techniques accordingly. 

Also, inappropriate comments or touching is strictly prohibited during a massage session as this is a professional setting, We recommend that you always follow our policies and rules to ensure a respectful, professional atmosphere during the massage session.

Absolutely! Full-body massage therapy is a great way to relieve pain, de-stress, relax, and reduce tension in the body. It can also help improve flexibility and range of motion, reduce pain and inflammation, improve circulation, and much more. We believe that full body massages are a great way to care for your body and mind and that everyone should make time for self-care.

Yes, a full-body massage includes both the front and back of your body.

Our session at PRESS typically starts with you laying on your stomach and your therapist massaging the back of your body as they slowly work their way down to your legs and feet. They then turn you over onto your back and massage their way back up your body, forcusing on the feet and legs, arms and hands, and concluding with your head and neck areas.

No, it's not necessary to shave prior to getting a massage. In fact, most massage therapists won't even notice if you have shaved or not. A massage clinic won't require you to shave before a massage, so it's entirely up to you if you want to or not.

Yes, massage therapists can feel muscle knots (also called adhesions) and tension during a massage. The skill of feeling for knots is called Palpation. Licensed Massage Therapists study the art of palpation for many hours in school, which is why they can easily identify areas with adhesions (knots). If they find any knots or resistance in the tissue, they will often use various techniques to help release the tension and help you relax.