Questions for massage therapists

In My Humble Opinion
1

I’ve only had one massage…and it was wonderful. If they weren’t so pricey, I’d have more. Still, though, I think I’ll make a point of setting aside some money for what I think is truly a therapeutic benefit.

At my massage, the therapist told me to “take off as much clothing” as I felt comfortable. What’s the limit on that? Does that mean I can get naked (I’d rather not)? She certainly wasn’t specific, so what would have happened if I had (leave the happy ending jokes by the side of the road)?

Do you want/need feedback during the massage? I figure if the therapist wants this, he or she will ask. Otherwise, I’m perfectly content to silently enjoy the massage.

Thanks!

2

I get quite a few massages and only with a same sex therapist. Personally, I believe that you can not get a descent massage unless you are completely naked. I think most therapists would agree. YMMV.

Bob

3

IANA Massage Therapist, but my mother and best friend and several others I know are, so I might be able to offer some answers in leiu of a massage therapist jumping in.

As far as clothing, yes, you can be naked. There is nothing to worry about from a legitimate massage therapist, as he/she will keep all the private areas covered, but even underwear can interfere with the quality of the massage. I would hope that as the massage therapist gains your trust, you will feel more comfortable with that.

As far as feed back, that depends. There are different kinds of massage, some are meant just to feel good (like swedish massage) and some are meant to be therapeutic (like deep tissue). Depening on the type, some parts may be uncomfortable or downright painful and you should have been informed beforehand of that fact, but you should still tell the person giving the massage if it is making you too uncomfortable. If it’s for pleasure and it hurts, you should say so, or maybe let him/her know if there’s a specific part you enjoy more or less than others. Some people are more sensitive than others, so the massager may be too firm and hurt someone, or may be too soft and just tickle another. I think a good practioner will prefer some feedback because it will help him/her learn your needs quicker.

Unless you’re talking about feedback like you would give to someone learning. In this case, the massage therapist is ethically (and generally legally) required to inform you that he/she is learning and will likely ask for feedback

The bottom line is, it is your dollar and you should be getting out of it what you want. If anything is making you uncomfortable, you should correct it either by speaking with the massage therapist or finding a new one, if necessary.

Other questions, if you haven’t asked them already, make sure your massage therapist is licensed by the state and national boards. I don’t remember any of the major national certifications off the top of my head, but I could ask or look it up if you’re interested. Also, make sure he/she has malpractice insurance; it may seem a bit silly for just rubbing muscles but, especially for therapeutic massage, it can result in serious injury if they screw up. You should be just as selective when choosing a massage therapist as you would be choosing a doctor, dentist, church, etc.

4

I have a Massage Envy membership - $40 gets you one one hour massage a month plus as many other massages as you can stand for $40.\

I strip down except at “that time of the month” when I leave my undies on.

If you aren’t getting the massage you want, feedback is essential. More or less pressure, in particular is worth while feedback. Also, if you want a particular area worked on, just say so - hopefully not 57 minutes into an hour long massage. Say something like "start with my lower back, its really tight, and move on once we get that loosened. I’m more interested in upper body - save the lower body for if you have time.

5

I’ve never had a massage where I wasn’t totally naked. Sometimes they have me get under a sheet and sometimes not.

6

You’d have received a massage (possibly better, depending on the style and some other factors). At massage school, we were trained in proper draping techniques to protect modesty. Total nudity allows long connecting strokes, and permits some techniques that are a bit more difficult with clothing in the way.

Silence is fine. If you like something, or especially if something hurts, speak up. Especially during the first few sessions, the therapist is learning your personal preferences. Some people like a lot of pressure or stretching, others like it very light. It’s not a one size fits all kind of thing. So the more feedback, the better the massage. That said, the therapist should check-in with you to find out what feels good. But if you aren’t getting what you need, you’re spending a bunch of money to get someone else’s massage. You might as well get what you paid for. If you are content to sit there and take what’s offered, and that’s worth the money, enjoy! Nothing wrong with that either.

7

By the way, at massage school we talked about (client) erections during the massage. As a guy, I was actually less concerned about it than many of my female classmates. It happens. As one of my instructors explained . . . that’s a great time to work on the feet. :smiley:

The same instructor gave us a family catchphrase for years hence. She said erections were “healthy energy.”

8

My cousin took a massage course at a local junior college. As the class was giving massages to people as part of their training, the guy in the next cubicle told his massuse; “You can put your hand down my pants now.” She screamed, mass hysteria, cops called, mass amusement… former city councilman…

9

I’m not a massage practitioner, but am friends with several.

The question of whether to remove clothing depends on the type of massage that’s being performed. For example, Swedish-style massage needs you to remove clothing in order to work the stroking motions, but something like acupressure or Feldenkrais is usually done clothed.

Regarding feedback, if you need to provide feedback, by all means do so.

10

What they said. Fully nude is easier for me, but I can work around clothing if I have to. If taking your bra or underwear is going to make you feel tense and uncomfortable, I’d rather you leave it on. The minor inconvenience of clothes is preferable to the major inconvenience of a tense massage client!

Give as much feedback as you like, or none at all. Some people are micromanagers, and will tell you every twitch and itch, and some are stoic sufferers, who won’t tell you if you’re killing them softly. Of course, I prefer the middle ground, but you are where you are, and you being okay with it is more important than my mental comfort. If you’re a complainer, complain, and I’ll do everything I can. I’ve been surprised to get fantastic comment cards and repeat visits from people who bitched the whole time - the bitching is just part of their therapeutic process, and the massage wouldn’t have been as good for them if they couldn’t bitch!

Some people like small talk, some deep emotional talk, and others no talk at all. Most people vary, within sessions and between sessions. I think a good massage therapist will follow your lead, talk when you want company, and be silent when you want solitude.

Erections? Yeah, they happen. Mostly I ignore it, going so far as to leave the room “for more water” if the client seems embarrassed or uncomfortable. Only once have I had to “correct” a client with high hopes and a wrong impression of my business model.

Interestingly enough, I have a platonic male friend who is also a bodyworker who was receiving work and spontaneously ejaculated without orgasm! Luckily, we were at a “Wow, that was weird and kinda cool” level, and it wasn’t a big deal. But it does make me a little more sympathetic to the male condition, and I certainly won’t be offended if someone gets an erection or quietly ejaculates on my table (nor will I be offended if he doesn’t!) I just won’t knowingly…uh…help him along. (And yes, the table is disinfected and the sheets changed for every client.)

11

Another question - there are a few places on my back that are incredibly (and very obviously) messed up. When they are being worked on my a massage practitioner, am I supposed to just let go (as much as is possible - they’re quite messed up) or am I supposed to push back like an isometric stretch?

12

You have to ask your practitioner. It depends on what she’s doing at the time.