The Franciscan Center Team: Thoughts from Tim Barringer

Tim Barringer

As a certified geriatric and special needs massage therapist, it is not uncommon to perform 30 and 15-minute sessions. One of the most frequently asked questions goes something like this: “Is a half-hour really enough time?” In short, yes! The typical one to two hour massages that are so common today are largely due to American influences during the sixties.


While an overall massage is beneficial, it is not necessary to massage every patch of skin. Massage has heavy influences on the heart and sensory nervous system of people 55 and older. A long-lasting massage (60-minutes or longer) can overload the nervous system, heart, and possibly other internal organs. By decreasing the massage, we are able to focus the work on problematic areas and prevent a burden on our internal systems. Overall, half-hour to 15-minute sessions are convenient to schedule, more affordable, focused, and easier on the 55+ body. Remember, each session will be tailored to your specific needs – why not spend time on the places you need it the most?