Hello All,
Do therapists observe the same client modesty with all clients? I booked a recent massage on a recommendation from a work colleague.After the consultation i was told to undress and lay face down on the couch then cover myself with the large towel provided,As i was taking my clothes off i was aware the therapist had not left the room but was sittng at her desk.During the massage i felt i was being uncovered more than i should have been,I mentioned this to my colleague and said she has seen the lady for about a year with no issues but would mention my concern next time she saw her.I'm not at all prudish which is why i probably din't say anything at the time i have had many massages with little coverage however i felt for me being a first time client she could have been a bit more discreet
this is all down to a lack of communication, and it goes both ways. Is it "client modesty" as it appears to be in your case, or "therapist modesty" ?
In your case, perhaps you should have mentioned your comfort levels to her when she told you to undress.
In the therapists case he or she should explain their comfort zones to the client
We all know that in a massage some or all the clothes are removed and there may or may not be some level of draping. The exact details depend on client, therapist and style of massage - but at the very least both parties need to be clear with each other.
If two adults who speak the same language cannot get this right then the whole thing is doomed before they start.
A simple "are you bothered by nudity" or "may I keep my pants on" or "do you use drapes" or "may I have some privacy to get undressed before you massage my naked body" - by either party would clear the air. Or any number of variations of question about sartoriial code for the massage !
Most massage training courses seem to spend more time talking about this subject than any other, with all sorts of daft contortions involved. I am careful to explain the procedure to new clients and make sure I leave the room while they undress or dress - and knock or call out before coming back in. That doesn't stop some of them enthusiastically starting to undress before I've left the room. Which, of course, gives me a pretty strong hint about which clients are less bothered about their modesty!
As I don't have a waiting area, I have to be in the same room as people dress/undress. I simply busy myself with case notes if they are attending for the first time,or seem shy, but I can honestly say that it has never been an issue in 30+ years in the business. I generally treat people who are naked, but draped - the choice is theirs. Inevitably, if I am treating buttocks or breasts, these areas are uncovered when I get to them, but I always tell them what the treatment involves first so there are no surprises.
Like Nick, most of my regulars strip with abandon - sometimes as they leave their car!!!!
I always leave my clients to get undressed with instructions to leave on their lower underwear, lie face down and cover themselves from waist down with the spare towel.
I then make sure that they are covered everywhere except the body part I am working on at hte time, to keep them warm and keep the muscles warm too.
My massage clients invariably fall asleep before the end of the massage - which I think shows they are pretty comfortable!
Afterwards I leave them to get dressed in their own time while I wash my hands and write up their notes.
I have never had any problems with this, from males or females.
Hope this helps?