Are You Being Violated or Sexually Abused By Your Massage Therapist? Know The Real Deal Behind Massage Etiquette
Today, I was reading Google Alerts in my mail. The alerts I often see are mostly about massage etiquette violations that lead to sexual abuse cases involving massage therapists and their clients. Once I get myself into reading these things, I just can’t help myself but to feel alarmed. As a massage therapist, I know the thin line that separates proper massage practice and abuse.
It is a fact that massage is a sensual activity… that may somewhat be too sensitive for others. And with the thin line that separates the sensual from the sexual, here comes the important role of the Massage Code of Ethics as well as Massage Therapy Etiquette. I don’t want to sound too technical, so here are the essential things you should know about the yes, no and uh-oh’s of a massage (massage etiquette).
Do’s and Don’ts of Massage Etiquette (for the Massage Therapist and the Client)
DO’s:
- As a massage therapist, it is your responsibility to provide a relaxing, conducive and professional environment for the client.
- As a client, you should communicate with the massage therapist.
- The massage therapist should inform the client what the massage/treatment will be comprised of before the client lies on the table.
- As a massage therapist, do leave the room to allow the client to change and get under the massage sheet on the table alone. Do return if the client is ready for the massage to start.
- As a massage therapist, do drape the client properly. This is to only expose the area to be massaged.
- To both the client and the massage therapist, do follow the accepted standards of your country/state where you are located in terms of the space or boundaries for two people speaking to each other.
- As a massage therapist, be consistent with your confident touch – not too light nor too hard.
DON’Ts:
- As a client, don’t be alarmed if you have to undress for the massage therapy. However, be aware that the amount of clothing to wear depends on the type of massage you’ll undergo. For a full body Swedish massage, it is normal to undress but it is not necessary. You can also wear your underwear if you want to.
- As a client, don’t hesitate to tell your massage therapist if you’re uncomfortable with undressing, you can wear anything that you’re comfortable with.
- As a massage therapist, do not disclose too much personal information that may lead your client to feel uncomfortable during the course of conversation.
- As a massage therapist, don’t extend past their appointments to compensate late arrivals. As a professional, stick with the schedule. This is very basic in massage etiquette.
- As a massage therapist, do not touch the genitals of your client. Also, breast massage is not included in a full body massage.
I’m still anxious with the violations of massage etiquette lately:
Then you have to let the person you really trust to do the massage for you. Usually, your partner or other family members are the persons that you really trust. For a more satisfying massage; and less worries with massage etiquette violations it is best for you and your partner to learn the basic of relaxation massage. You can search online and pick for the best program you desire, or you may consider my 1 Minute 3 Stroke Muscle Relaxation Massage.
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