Massage – Naked Or Not?

As a qualified Holistic Massage therapist in the UK, I’ve been following some online discussions with great interest. One debate that will probably go on ad infinitum is, “to what extent is nudity acceptable/necessary for a full body massage?”

I qualified with ITEC, who give a clear message that ‘towel management’ is very important and that the “client’s modesty must be protected at all times”, with knickers or pants being kept on and only the body part being massaged exposed at any given time. In other words, the client is covered with towels at all times apart from the body part, perhaps a leg, or the back, that is being massaged. Opinions on whether or not this is the best approach seem to be greatly divided among my fellow professionals.

It appears that, in other parts of the world, it is considered quite normal for the client to be naked, though usually covered with a sheet, or perhaps a ‘loin cloth’ in the case of lomi lomi (Hawaiian massage). In the UK, it seems that the word “massage” has, for many, sexual connotations which is how the problems originate. Perhaps not surprisingly it is usually the ‘female therapist, male client’ scenario in which most difficulties arise.

There are several possibilities regarding the question of nudity in massage;

therapist clothed and client partially clothed and covered,

therapist clothed and client unclothed and covered,

therapist clothed and client unclothed and exposed,

therapist unclothed and client unclothed and exposed, (naturist massage).

Of course, there may be other scenarios I haven’t included, (maybe my imagination isn’t up to it!). But as far as these scenarios are concerned, the possible problems include,

clients expecting more than ‘just’ a massage,

therapists feeling uncomfortable with a client wishing to be nude

therapists doubting the motives of the client,

therapists and/or clients feeling that a “full body” massage is compromised if underwear is worn and most of the body is draped,

some therapists being comfortable with naturism while others are not

As I said before, I’m sure this debate will continue and there are many differing and wide-ranging opinions. My own view is that the client should feel comfortable and his or her preferences accommodated, where possible, but this should never be at the expense of the therapist’s own comfort. The intuition of the therapist is likely to be the best gauge of what is and isn’t appropriate.

Barbara Neill is a professional Hypnotherapist, taught by her father, Bob Neill, who was a Hypnotherapist for more than 40 years until he passed away in 2006. Barbara continues Bob’s work with the same compassion, integrity and sincerity, for which her father was known and respected. Like her father, Barbara aims for complete success in just one session of hypnotherapy. She specialises in treating people who have dyspraxia, having a thorough understanding of the condition as she is, herself, dyspraxic. She is also a founder member of the Kent Dyspraxia Association (KeDA), as well as having qualifications in Holistic Massage, Indian Head Massage and Natural Facelift Massage. http://www.bneill-hypnotherapy.com/

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Barbara_Neill/721534
http://EzineArticles.com/?Massage—Naked-Or-Not?&id=4780355

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Rod Washington:  Rod is a blogger, writer, filmmaker, photographer, daydreamer who likes to cook. Rod produces and directs the web series, CUPIC: Diary of an Investigator. He also produces news and documentary video projects. Check out his podcast StoriesThisMoment at https://m3e.d71.myftpupload.com/stm-tncn-podcasts/