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Draping versus No Draping
So from what I gather, draping is really a state thing first and then based on the state's code of ethics, a client-therapist consideration.
With that said, I believe TX's current regulations states: draping will be used during the session, unless otherwise agreed to by both the client and the licensee
I read this to say that draping is NOT a state requirement but a client-therapist consideration. This may explain why I get a lot of requests for non draping sessions.
Just yesterday I got a request from someone looking for a professional massage but states that he does not like draping. He also offered to pay more if I would allow this.
My first instinct with all these clients is that no draping request = wanting something extra than a professional massage. However the state regulations says contrary.
So am I foolish for turning down a session because of this? I know I must follow my intuition, so I have already written him a note thanking him for the interest but letting him know that it would make me too uncomfortable. I explained that this was not how I was taught or how I practice, and therefore doing such a session would not be giving him the best I could give.
But I am curious as to other's thoughts and practices with regards to draping. Do you get a lot of requests to exclude it? What are your state's regulations? Have you ever worked on someone who wasn't draped?
Let the dialog begin...
With that said, I believe TX's current regulations states: draping will be used during the session, unless otherwise agreed to by both the client and the licensee
I read this to say that draping is NOT a state requirement but a client-therapist consideration. This may explain why I get a lot of requests for non draping sessions.
Just yesterday I got a request from someone looking for a professional massage but states that he does not like draping. He also offered to pay more if I would allow this.
My first instinct with all these clients is that no draping request = wanting something extra than a professional massage. However the state regulations says contrary.
So am I foolish for turning down a session because of this? I know I must follow my intuition, so I have already written him a note thanking him for the interest but letting him know that it would make me too uncomfortable. I explained that this was not how I was taught or how I practice, and therefore doing such a session would not be giving him the best I could give.
But I am curious as to other's thoughts and practices with regards to draping. Do you get a lot of requests to exclude it? What are your state's regulations? Have you ever worked on someone who wasn't draped?
Let the dialog begin...
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jason Erickson on
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Under no circumstances do we do undraped massage at our business. In our experience, it has only been requested by people demonstrating questionable intent. Further, we do not have state licensing, so there are plenty of sex workers advertising "exotic massage" and the like to satisfy that need.
People that are seeking top-quality, professional, ethical, therapeutic massage abide by our policies and are very happy with the services we provide. Those seeking other types of service are welcome to go elsewhere.
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Permalink Reply by Candace Guilford on
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Sometimes dont you think it would be easy to just have someone lay there and not have to worry about the sheets?!
YOU are in the room too, and just because they want something, legal or not, doesnt mean you have to do it. Just say "Thats not the draping techniques I prefer in my practice." If your not going to touch it, why would you want to look at it??
I'm in NY where the rules and regulations are absurd... but conservative..
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I have had only one client who had difficulty being draped. He has not returned. It seems to me like a privacy/boundary issue. I would say at least a towel. My massage includes sacral/gluteal/piriformis work for people with low back and sciatic problems. So I work respectfully with my client letting them know how my massage will include this work before I begin.
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Permalink Reply by Kelli Dougan on
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It is interesting how many of you actually do not drape. In my state it is the law and I am happy about that. It keeps things very professional and sets a tone for the session. Also, my clients love that they feel like they are cacooned underneath the sheet/blanket and on a warm comfy bed. I really would not recommend it any other way.
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Permalink Reply by Daniel Cohen on
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When you mention cacooning are most of your clients women? I had mentioned above that I found most of my female clients like to bundle with the large towel we use and the males mostly prefer the towel simply draped on the pelvic area. As a male myself I can say this is not about "getting more than a massage". It is simply more relaxing. I have never had these men ask me for anything nonprofessional in my massage clinic. Nor do I think that draped or not unto itself is the criteria for being professional.
Actually about 80% of my regulars are fully or partially dressed during massage. They like the fact that they get a great treatment without disrobing. Many are Orthodox Jews and religious law must be followed and Asians. So currently I have few naked bodies on the table draped or undraped during the week.
Most response on this thread is from women. I believe this is a gender related issue of comfort and hope there may be more input on this.
Kelli Dougan said:It is interesting how many of you actually do not drape. In my state it is the law and I am happy about that. It keeps things very professional and sets a tone for the session. Also, my clients love that they feel like they are cacooned underneath the sheet/blanket and on a warm comfy bed. I really would not recommend it any other way.
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Be careful of clients who request no draping. Their intentions are sexually oriented. Yes, the person is willing to pay more because in his mind he is expecting more than massage, also wishing to recieve sexual services. Escorts charge hundreds of dollars per hour for their services, so these guys are used to paying that much. Don't fall for their tricks. The law is the law, draping is required in all 50 states, there is no gray area.
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Hi Jimmy,
I believe you may be licensed in Arizona. Could you please show me where in your state regulations http://www.azleg.state.az.us/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/ars/32/04253...
it absolutely requires draping. You are lucky to be in a state with State Licensing and a progressive law. It includes conditions for breast massage which is not always allowed or provided for in the laws.
There is even a group here in massageprofessionals that discusses breast massage.
From what I read the law sets clear conditions and situations but does not require draping.
In this thread there have been mentioning of various types of draping. Do you always use full sheet? Do you think a person objecting to a sheet but accepting a towel has " sexually oriented intentions"?
Just interested in exploring these issues further and seeing if I missed something in the Arizona law.
More and more states are recognizing the health benefits of massage and leaving it up to our training and discretion to apply it professionally. A breath of fresh air for those who remember or still work under the classification of adult entertainer.
Jimmy Gialelis said:Be careful of clients who request no draping. Their intentions are sexually oriented. Yes, the person is willing to pay more because in his mind he is expecting more than massage, also wishing to recieve sexual services. Escorts charge hundreds of dollars per hour for their services, so these guys are used to paying that much. Don't fall for their tricks. The law is the law, draping is required in all 50 states, there is no gray area.
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Permalink Reply by Bridget Turnbach on
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I don't have a problem with draping or non-draping to be perfectly honest. I have received and practiced bodywork where the "drap" has been removed and or gotten in the way of a session. Any one have a Lomi session, you know what I am talking about. I do not make it a practice of non-draping in fact in most cases I prefer it, however I have found my Euro friends both men and women request the non-drap and I was comfortable because their view of the human body is not sexual in nature they are just more comfortable this way. I would perfer to swim in the nude or take a bath or Jacuzzi naked, why not a massage? Nothing sexual about it. My opinion is people that have more on their mind then just a massage will let you know this draped or not and if you have been practicing for a long time you can mostly tell before they ever lie on your table. Their is nothing un-ethical about nudity or a therapist that keeps their mind and heart pure while practicing the healing art of massage. Is you were blind would it make a difference?
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Permalink Reply by Linda Lewis-Weissinger NCTMB,CMT on
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When I walked into the room the male client was on top of the sheet naked prone. I told him that he must get under the drape. He told me he was allergic to the sheets. I said, " Sir you are lying on top of the sheet so please get under the sheets." He again refused so I refused the massage. KY is a draping state I am sure anyway. He looked to be from Iran. I didn't feel safe as I was alone at the locaton. It was a long time before I agreed to massage a male. This happened in 1993
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Daniel, I think you missed my point. Just because the law does not equivically state you don't need to drape in bold, obvious terms, that doesn't mean it's ethical to not drape. In fact, I argue it is unethical to not drape a client. You are putting yourself in danger of a major boundary violation when you perform massages in this fashion. To avoid ethical dilemnas and situations where your integrity is challenged, don't even put yourself in that position. That's my point.
Also, one more point, for our profession to advance in credibility, it's important we maintain the highest standards of professionalism. It is necessary that we EDUCATE those individuals who believe in never being draped that draping is necessary for a therapeutic session in achieving optimal results. The more we educate clients and help them see how ethical we practice our trade, the more credibility we will receive from the general public and this opens more doors for our industry!
We still have a long way to go, let's push our industry forward instead of letting unethical therapists push us back!
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Thank you Jimmy for your ethical boundaries to give the massage industry credability. We are potentially working with doctors, chiropractors, dentists, and others that are already recognized as "professionals" in the field. Isn't this what we are massage "therapists" are striving to do? Lynn
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Exactly my point. We are health care professionals and as such draping or not draping should not be a criteria by itself as to the professionalism. The medical field does not have such restrictions. We fall into a trap ourselves automatically judging on this criteria that the service is unprofessional. A drape does not prevent unethical behavior. It is the ethics and professionalism of the Therapist. Who hasn't seen news of doctors or nurses convicted of sexual crimes? Draping is not the issue. It does not make people ethical. As with other health professions we should be recognized as professionals by our training, skills and ethics.
Lynn Johnson said:Thank you Jimmy for your ethical boundaries to give the massage industry credability. We are potentially working with doctors, chiropractors, dentists, and others that are already recognized as "professionals" in the field. Isn't this what we are massage "therapists" are striving to do? Lynn
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