Question:
I am a client of theraputic massage. I have probably spent over $10,000 over a period of years on massage. I really love it. My question surrounds draping. I guess after all these years I am sick of always being covered by a towell or sheet. I feel it interferes with the experience. I am not in anyway trying to sexualize the experience, but I would prefer not to be draped. Is it appropiate to ask the therapist that I prefer not to be draped? Would it be more approproprate to ask a therapist that I use regularly?
As a therapist myself, I would not have a problem treating a client without using towels (although not sure how I'd feel about treating a man who I didn't know in this way).
I do have one client whose knees and feet are painful in the heat and she prefers that I don't use towels. She does, however, keep her panties on.
Lesley
Hi Grozney,
to be honest, I would feel very uncomfortable performing a massage on a client who was totally naked! Could be just because I never have.
I guess it might be different with a client I knew very well, but then again, that might make it even worse - a tricky one.
I am guessing since you talk of $'s and "draping" that you are American? Maybe we are just a bit more strait laced here in the UK?
Be interested to see what others think - perhaps it is just me that is a bit odd?!
K x
Hiya
no problem without towels, but knickers or pants on.....
if the person doesnt have a problem with it then I have no reason too either....equally if the gluts are tight and need working then i pull them down (not off) do the job and pull them back up.....
the way i see it is, we get to see the whole body anyway so what difference is there is we see it all at once or in bits? its up to the client.
T
x
Maybe I misunderstood the original question!
I thought that we were talking naked, as opposed to just without the towels *blushes with embarrassment*
I would have no problem with a client in undies - and like Tigerbee, do (with clients permission) pull the undies down to work on butt if necessary.
ooops, sorry for lowering the tone!
K x
I agree, I don't see a problem with clients in just underwear. I've had plenty of massages myself with just a bikini on, so I can't see the difference. I have treated a few people that were naked, although under a towel, it took me a bit by surprise, but wasn't an issue. I just felt a bit stupid trying to tuck the towel in when there was nothing there.. ooops. [:o]
Yes I an American (male). Our massages here are normally performed with the client unclothed, underneath the towel. I mean the way she is normally moving the towell, she is seeing practically everything anyway. Maybe I just have no modesty, but I just don't see the big deal in having the towell there or not. To me, it gets in the way and reduces my enjoyment from the weight and texture of the towell.
although there is a modesty element to towel draping, i might suggest that its also to keep you warm.
living in england, although a therapy room may be warm, it cant be so hot as for the therapist to feel uncomfortable working. therefore, you will feel the chill once your back massage has been completed and the therapist moves onto legs.
as someone else here said, i had a back massage in turkey, on the beach, in my swimsuit, but my legs were still covered and as we were in the shade that was comfortable. i had a thai massage on the beach in thailand and that was just in swimsuit with no covering, but it was blinking hot anyway... also thai massage was different in that she was working on almost my whole body all the time.
I have a couple of clients who prefer being naked (one is a nudist, the other has a skin condition), and as long as the heater is on, that's OK. Some clients try it on regarding the naked thing, and I can always spot the person that hopes for more and I refuse to massage them at all, naked or not. There's always a man around at all times; so I'm never put in a dangerous position, but I don't know if I would be so happy about things if there wasn't.
Well Grozney - I think you'd find that most therapists are okay with bodies - we've seen and felt enough anyway. The issue is nakedness, and whether or not boundaries are crossed. The draping, or the underwear sets up a boundary that permits both parties to know where things stand. It's a measure of protection for both parties.
I've had situations where like AngelFish, I've tried to tuck a towel in, only to find nothing to tuck it under! Which shows you how we don't really care - just that in that situation, it means we have to be more careful how we drape.
As you know, in the US, states that regulate massage (38 of them) require draping by law. In the UK, there is no such legislation, so it really is a matter between you and the therapist. If you do not want a towel, you could bring a sheet along for draping - that works, and is less heavy. (I wouldn't recommend silk or satin - one, that reveals all, two, they have a tendency to slip off! [:o])
I personally, would wear nothing under the drape when I am with a masseuer, but with a masseuse, I would. Just because I do not really want to offend someone's sensibilities. Most blokes have showered together in schools and college, so it's not that big a deal.
I think, as you will read, that opinions differ. Experience counts. It used to bother me, but not now. I really don't care and have no problem stripping off totally myself. I had massage on the beach in France last week and went topless and didn't give a hoot, but somebody else kept her bra on. Horses for courses.
I would say that you should find a therapist you are comfortable with and build up a good relationship. That way they and you will feel comfortable. I can't see why a tiny towel should bother you though and it can be slung over your bum and bits during treatment with little bother to you surely?
Hi
Most people prefer to be covered during a massage, as it is comforting and nurturing to be wrapped up safely in a nice fresh towel. And yes, it is very often to do with the climate here in the UK too!
But each to his own.
Lois:)
What has the climate got to do with it. Are`nt your therapy rooms nice nad warm ?
Er? Well, NO! Actually.
Bloomin 'eck, you live in England do you? A typical day at our Centre involves the switching on and off of heating to deal with the changing temperature. We had a late summer, (we had no summer whatsoever this year) and the beginning of September meant bringing out the fans to cool clients and therapists. This morning the heating was put on to take the chill off and when the sun came out and heated us up we turned it off.
I had clients today who ranged from freezing cold to boiling hot and then I have to deal with my own various temperatures. Cold when I go out into the main part of the building and hot once I get working![&:] It's a constant offer of blankets, more towels, cold feet, hot bodies, jumpers on and off etc etc.
Remember what Oscar Wilde said? "if you don't like the weather in England, wait a minute'!!!!
Whenever I have a massage I am always nude under the towel, irrespective of therapists sex. I always say to my clients that they can either remove their underwear or leave it on, it makes no difference to me or the treatment. However I do point out to male clients that depending on the type of underwear they have on I may not be able to work the upper legs / buttocks very much if they leave underwear on.
I wouldn't really have a problem with a client being naked on my table, they are a client, a body that needs treating. I may discuss boundaries a bit more to ensure they are clearly established.
Foz :o)
I always insist that undies are kept on but do (with permission) pull them up and down when working on that area.
I wouldn't have a problem if a client didn't want a towel - it's up to them - they're paying! Personally speaking I think it's nice to be covered by a warm towel - especially if they've just come to you from the cold outside world (which is most of the time in UK!). Lisa
Elixir in London offers a skilled massage with no drapes without being at all dodgy
http://www.elixir-of-life.com/massage.htm
When I went last the masseuse said she also worked in a local museum preserving animal exibits. Interesting combination of work!
Jaez
Answers:
As a therapist myself, I would not have a problem treating a client without using towels (although not sure how I'd feel about treating a man who I didn't know in this way).
I do have one client whose knees and feet are painful in the heat and she prefers that I don't use towels. She does, however, keep her panties on.
Lesley
Answers:
Hi Grozney,
to be honest, I would feel very uncomfortable performing a massage on a client who was totally naked! Could be just because I never have.
I guess it might be different with a client I knew very well, but then again, that might make it even worse - a tricky one.
I am guessing since you talk of $'s and "draping" that you are American? Maybe we are just a bit more strait laced here in the UK?
Be interested to see what others think - perhaps it is just me that is a bit odd?!
K x
Answers:
Hiya
no problem without towels, but knickers or pants on.....
if the person doesnt have a problem with it then I have no reason too either....equally if the gluts are tight and need working then i pull them down (not off) do the job and pull them back up.....
the way i see it is, we get to see the whole body anyway so what difference is there is we see it all at once or in bits? its up to the client.
T
x
Answers:
Maybe I misunderstood the original question!
I thought that we were talking naked, as opposed to just without the towels *blushes with embarrassment*
I would have no problem with a client in undies - and like Tigerbee, do (with clients permission) pull the undies down to work on butt if necessary.
ooops, sorry for lowering the tone!
K x
Answers:
I agree, I don't see a problem with clients in just underwear. I've had plenty of massages myself with just a bikini on, so I can't see the difference. I have treated a few people that were naked, although under a towel, it took me a bit by surprise, but wasn't an issue. I just felt a bit stupid trying to tuck the towel in when there was nothing there.. ooops. [:o]
Answers:
Yes I an American (male). Our massages here are normally performed with the client unclothed, underneath the towel. I mean the way she is normally moving the towell, she is seeing practically everything anyway. Maybe I just have no modesty, but I just don't see the big deal in having the towell there or not. To me, it gets in the way and reduces my enjoyment from the weight and texture of the towell.
Answers:
although there is a modesty element to towel draping, i might suggest that its also to keep you warm.
living in england, although a therapy room may be warm, it cant be so hot as for the therapist to feel uncomfortable working. therefore, you will feel the chill once your back massage has been completed and the therapist moves onto legs.
as someone else here said, i had a back massage in turkey, on the beach, in my swimsuit, but my legs were still covered and as we were in the shade that was comfortable. i had a thai massage on the beach in thailand and that was just in swimsuit with no covering, but it was blinking hot anyway... also thai massage was different in that she was working on almost my whole body all the time.
Answers:
I have a couple of clients who prefer being naked (one is a nudist, the other has a skin condition), and as long as the heater is on, that's OK. Some clients try it on regarding the naked thing, and I can always spot the person that hopes for more and I refuse to massage them at all, naked or not. There's always a man around at all times; so I'm never put in a dangerous position, but I don't know if I would be so happy about things if there wasn't.
Answers:
Well Grozney - I think you'd find that most therapists are okay with bodies - we've seen and felt enough anyway. The issue is nakedness, and whether or not boundaries are crossed. The draping, or the underwear sets up a boundary that permits both parties to know where things stand. It's a measure of protection for both parties.
I've had situations where like AngelFish, I've tried to tuck a towel in, only to find nothing to tuck it under! Which shows you how we don't really care - just that in that situation, it means we have to be more careful how we drape.
As you know, in the US, states that regulate massage (38 of them) require draping by law. In the UK, there is no such legislation, so it really is a matter between you and the therapist. If you do not want a towel, you could bring a sheet along for draping - that works, and is less heavy. (I wouldn't recommend silk or satin - one, that reveals all, two, they have a tendency to slip off! [:o])
I personally, would wear nothing under the drape when I am with a masseuer, but with a masseuse, I would. Just because I do not really want to offend someone's sensibilities. Most blokes have showered together in schools and college, so it's not that big a deal.
Answers:
I think, as you will read, that opinions differ. Experience counts. It used to bother me, but not now. I really don't care and have no problem stripping off totally myself. I had massage on the beach in France last week and went topless and didn't give a hoot, but somebody else kept her bra on. Horses for courses.
I would say that you should find a therapist you are comfortable with and build up a good relationship. That way they and you will feel comfortable. I can't see why a tiny towel should bother you though and it can be slung over your bum and bits during treatment with little bother to you surely?
Answers:
Hi
Most people prefer to be covered during a massage, as it is comforting and nurturing to be wrapped up safely in a nice fresh towel. And yes, it is very often to do with the climate here in the UK too!
But each to his own.
Lois:)
Answers:
What has the climate got to do with it. Are`nt your therapy rooms nice nad warm ?
Answers:
Er? Well, NO! Actually.
Bloomin 'eck, you live in England do you? A typical day at our Centre involves the switching on and off of heating to deal with the changing temperature. We had a late summer, (we had no summer whatsoever this year) and the beginning of September meant bringing out the fans to cool clients and therapists. This morning the heating was put on to take the chill off and when the sun came out and heated us up we turned it off.
I had clients today who ranged from freezing cold to boiling hot and then I have to deal with my own various temperatures. Cold when I go out into the main part of the building and hot once I get working![&:] It's a constant offer of blankets, more towels, cold feet, hot bodies, jumpers on and off etc etc.
Remember what Oscar Wilde said? "if you don't like the weather in England, wait a minute'!!!!
Answers:
Whenever I have a massage I am always nude under the towel, irrespective of therapists sex. I always say to my clients that they can either remove their underwear or leave it on, it makes no difference to me or the treatment. However I do point out to male clients that depending on the type of underwear they have on I may not be able to work the upper legs / buttocks very much if they leave underwear on.
I wouldn't really have a problem with a client being naked on my table, they are a client, a body that needs treating. I may discuss boundaries a bit more to ensure they are clearly established.
Foz :o)
Answers:
I always insist that undies are kept on but do (with permission) pull them up and down when working on that area.
I wouldn't have a problem if a client didn't want a towel - it's up to them - they're paying! Personally speaking I think it's nice to be covered by a warm towel - especially if they've just come to you from the cold outside world (which is most of the time in UK!). Lisa
Answers:
Elixir in London offers a skilled massage with no drapes without being at all dodgy
http://www.elixir-of-life.com/massage.htm
When I went last the masseuse said she also worked in a local museum preserving animal exibits. Interesting combination of work!
Jaez
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