Swedish Massage – 90 Mins: What to Do in the First 48 Hours
By Artistry Spa & Wellness | July 22, 2026
Swedish Massage – 90 Mins (90 minutes, $100) is our classic light-to-medium pressure massage with gentle, flowing strokes that calm your nervous system and ease tension.
The most important rule after a 90-minute swedish massage is simple: hydrate and take it easy for the rest of the day. That combo is what helps you keep that loose, clear feeling instead of bouncing straight back into tight shoulders and a buzzing mind. In Philadelphia, especially in summer, it also means you cool down and don’t head right back into heat and heavy sweating.
Your 24–48 hour reset after a Swedish massage (do this, skip that)
Right after massage, your muscles are softer and your system is calmer. That’s why a lot of people tell us they leave feeling “refreshed, relaxed, and noticeably less sore.” Protect that.
The quick checklist (first day)
- Drink water within the hour after you leave, then keep it steady the rest of the day. Hydration helps your body clear out what your tissues released during the session.
- Eat something real if you feel a little floaty. A light meal or snack often helps if you’re tired or lightheaded.
- Avoid alcohol for 12–24 hours. It dehydrates you and tends to make soreness feel worse.
- Skip hard workouts, heavy lifting, and long runs for 12–24 hours. If you feel unusually sore, give it a full 48.
And yes, we know Temple University students and shift workers don’t always have a full day to lounge. If you’re heading back to class or an overnight shift near Cecil B. Moore, keep it basic: water, a decent meal, and no extra strain on the areas we just worked.
Shower advice that won’t undo your work
If you want to shower after your massage, go for it. We generally recommend lukewarm to warm water within a few hours if you need it, and skip the extra-hot shower that leaves you red and overheated. Heat can increase inflammation for some people, especially if you came in already tight.
Days 2–7: keep the shoulders loose (and don’t chase knots)
A Swedish massage treatment is meant to be gentle and calming, not aggressive. So if you feel a little tender the next day, that’s usually normal. Fatigue can show up too. We hear it a lot, and it makes sense when your nervous system finally downshifts.
If you’re stiff: use gentle heat for overall tightness (like a warm compress on shoulders) and use ice only on a specific spot that feels inflamed or puffy.
What helps most people keep results longer
- A 3 to 5 minute walk later that day or the next morning. Nothing intense. Just movement.
- Gentle stretching, especially for neck, chest, hips, and hamstrings. Stop before it feels sharp.
- Sleep. A 90-minute Swedish session tends to make people sleep deeper that night if they don’t fight it.
- If you sit at a desk a lot, set a timer and change position. We’ve had plenty of people come in for shoulder and back knots tied to desk posture, and small daily breaks make a big difference.
Philadelphia summer note: try not to schedule your toughest outdoor workout right after your session. Heat plus heavy sweating can leave you feeling drained fast.
Simple habits that protect your swedish massage therapy results
You don’t need a complicated routine after massage swedish massage work. You need consistency. These are the habits we see matter most for people who come in regularly for tension relief.
Hydration that actually counts
Sip through the day instead of chugging one bottle and calling it done. If you’re drinking coffee, match it with water.
A little stretch, not a full workout
Think easy range-of-motion: slow neck turns, shoulder rolls, gentle chest opening. If it feels like you’re forcing it, back off.
Don’t hunt for soreness
If a spot feels tender, avoid digging your elbow into it all week. Let it settle. Gentle heat and movement usually beat aggressive self-massage.
If you’re building a regular schedule, we’re easy to reach from the Temple University / Cecil B. Moore area, and we also see plenty of folks coming in from Center City, Fishtown, Northern Liberties, Kensington, Germantown, and West Philadelphia for follow-up sessions.
And if you want a bigger view of options, check out our Swedish massage services in Philadelphia.
What’s normal after a 90-minute Swedish massage, and when to call us
Most people feel calmer right away. Some people also feel a little sleepy, foggy, or lightly sore the next day, especially if we spent time on long-standing tension points.
"I left feeling relaxed, refreshed, and noticeably less sore."
one of our regulars
Reach out sooner if you notice any of these
- Persistent numbness or tingling that doesn’t improve
- Sharp pain (not normal soreness)
- Unusual swelling that lasts beyond 48 hours
Call us if something feels off, or if you want help planning your next session. People come to our therapists for simple relaxation, but we also work with plenty of regulars who need real relief and don’t want to over-explain every visit. We’ll listen, focus on the areas you carry tension, and keep the pressure in that light-to-medium Swedish zone unless you ask for something different.
Ready to keep that post-massage feeling? If you’re near Temple, the Broad Street Line, or commuting in from Center City, it helps to grab an evening or weekend slot early since those fill fast.
Phone: +12675931205 | Email: artistryspanwellness@gmail.com | Address: 227 W Thompson St, Philadelphia, PA 19122
You can also browse all services at Artistry Spa & Wellness or check out our gallery to get a feel for the space.
Quick Swedish massage therapy aftercare FAQs (90 minutes)
How long should I wait to exercise after a Swedish Massage – 90 Mins?
We generally recommend waiting 12 to 24 hours before strenuous exercise or heavy lifting. If you feel unusually sore, give it up to 48 hours and keep movement light (walking, gentle stretching).
Can I shower immediately after a 90-minute Swedish massage?
Yes. If you shower the same day, keep it lukewarm to warm and avoid an extra-hot shower that leaves you overheated.
Why do I feel tired or lightheaded after a massage?
It’s common to feel tired after a Swedish massage because your nervous system is calming down and your circulation is shifting. Drink water, eat a light snack, and stand up slowly. If it doesn’t pass or feels intense, reach out to us and consider checking in with a medical professional.
Can I drink alcohol after my Swedish Massage – 90 Mins?
We recommend skipping alcohol for 12 to 24 hours. Alcohol dehydrates you, and it can make post-massage soreness and fatigue feel stronger.
Will a 90-minute Swedish massage leave me sore or bruised?
Mild soreness can happen, especially if you came in tight. Bruising isn’t typical for Swedish massage since we use gentle, flowing strokes and light-to-medium pressure. If you notice bruising, sharp pain, numbness, or swelling that lasts beyond 48 hours, let us know.
