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Lets Discuss Breast Massage
I am curious as to what other MT's think about concerning breast massage.
In TN, breast massage is allowed with 1) written consent 2) only between same sex therapist/ client.
I know most (if not all) female therapists touch the male breast when doing pec work. After all, the male breast is not as (for lack of a better term) defined as the female breast. To my knowledge no one complains or even gives this a second thought. But if a male therapist touches the female breast, right away it is thought of as a sexual thing.
Breast massage is healthy and when done right very beneficial. There is nothing sexual about breast massage when done properly and in a proper manner. So, why is it looked upon as a sexual thing if its between different genders.
What are your state laws concerning breast massage?
For female MT's: Have you given or received breast massage?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Daniel Cohen on
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"But if a male therapist touches the female breast, right away it is thought of as a sexual thing."
My question is who thinks it is sexual?
As a male MT I do not. As my client, the female on the table wanting and needing such work does not. So who is it? Is this the same attitude pervades the TV talk shows?
I know several modalities that include breast work. I am asked by some clients to do the full chest before mammograms. If they felt a lump they ask me to check before going to the doctor. Sometimes it is temporary and often breaks up during the work. Scar tissue from surgery is reduced. Difficulty breathing is improved by releasing the chest. There are many reasons and results.
I take it as quite a compliment that they have this trust in me.
I am also definitely a heterosexual. I find some of my clients very attractive and yes some are sexually stimulating. But as a professional that is not an issue once they are on the table. I am there to be of help and maintain their trust. I believe that is professionalism. Making my skills of touch available within an atmosphere of touch. Should I violate that trust I would violate my own professional ethics. No law can enforce this any better while two people are in a room together.
There are, in my opinion many reasons that Breast/Thoracic Massage should be accepted. And they outweigh, again in my opinion, any reasons to prohibit.
Just as the type of draping or non-draping should be left to client/therapist choice, so should female Thoracic Massage.
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Permalink Reply by Dan Brownell on
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Very well put Daniel, Thank you. I agree with you and it is a great compliment to your professionalism that your clients trust you and allow to do breast massage. As for who thinks breast massage is a sexual thing, the massage licensure boards and state governments who regulate breast massage (in my opinion), or it would not be "regulated." At least that is why I feel the regulations are made. And yes, I can understand they see it as protecting the female clients from improper actions by less than scrupulous MT's. Which I can agree with that part, as unfortunately their are some "bad apples" out there. Personally, I would not mind some regulation (such as written informed consent proir to breast massage), but I don't think I should be told I CAN'T do breast massage even if my client wants me to. I have had several female clients ask for breast massage, and I have had to tell them I was not permitted by law to perform this type of massage.
Daniel Cohen said:"But if a male therapist touches the female breast, right away it is thought of as a sexual thing."
My question is who thinks it is sexual?
As a male MT I do not. As my client, the female on the table wanting and needing such work does not. So who is it? Is this the same attitude pervades the TV talk shows?
I know several modalities that include breast work. I am asked by some clients to do the full chest before mammograms. If they felt a lump they ask me to check before going to the doctor. Sometimes it is temporary and often breaks up during the work. Scar tissue from surgery is reduced. Difficulty breathing is improved by releasing the chest. There are many reasons and results.
I take it as quite a compliment that they have this trust in me.
I am also definitely a heterosexual. I find some of my clients very attractive and yes some are sexually stimulating. But as a professional that is not an issue once they are on the table. I am there to be of help and maintain their trust. I believe that is professionalism. Making my skills of touch available within an atmosphere of touch. Should I violate that trust I would violate my own professional ethics. No law can enforce this any better while two people are in a room together.
There are, in my opinion many reasons that Breast/Thoracic Massage should be accepted. And they outweigh, again in my opinion, any reasons to prohibit.
Just as the type of draping or non-draping should be left to client/therapist choice, so should female Thoracic Massage.
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I would think the law puts the state in violation of the federal Equal Opportunity Law. You might try to find out who or what group asked for gender exclusion in the law. It generally isn't the legislature but rather groups backing the legislature. Your Attorney General might have an interesting explanation on how a law can exclude a gender from participating in an otherwise legal professional job task. If they protect clients from their MTs. How do they protect them from their Gynecologist or Esthetician. Is such legal protection enforceable or effective?
Dan Brownell said:Very well put Daniel, Thank you. I agree with you and it is a great compliment to your professionalism that your clients trust you and allow to do breast massage. As for who thinks breast massage is a sexual thing, the massage licensure boards and state governments who regulate breast massage (in my opinion), or it would not be "regulated." At least that is why I feel the regulations are made. And yes, I can understand they see it as protecting the female clients from improper actions by less than scrupulous MT's. Which I can agree with that part, as unfortunately their are some "bad apples" out there. Personally, I would not mind some regulation (such as written informed consent proir to breast massage), but I don't think I should be told I CAN'T do breast massage even if my client wants me to. I have had several female clients ask for breast massage, and I have had to tell them I was not permitted by law to perform this type of massage.
Daniel Cohen said:"But if a male therapist touches the female breast, right away it is thought of as a sexual thing."
My question is who thinks it is sexual?
As a male MT I do not. As my client, the female on the table wanting and needing such work does not. So who is it? Is this the same attitude pervades the TV talk shows?
I know several modalities that include breast work. I am asked by some clients to do the full chest before mammograms. If they felt a lump they ask me to check before going to the doctor. Sometimes it is temporary and often breaks up during the work. Scar tissue from surgery is reduced. Difficulty breathing is improved by releasing the chest. There are many reasons and results.
I take it as quite a compliment that they have this trust in me.
I am also definitely a heterosexual. I find some of my clients very attractive and yes some are sexually stimulating. But as a professional that is not an issue once they are on the table. I am there to be of help and maintain their trust. I believe that is professionalism. Making my skills of touch available within an atmosphere of touch. Should I violate that trust I would violate my own professional ethics. No law can enforce this any better while two people are in a room together.
There are, in my opinion many reasons that Breast/Thoracic Massage should be accepted. And they outweigh, again in my opinion, any reasons to prohibit.
Just as the type of draping or non-draping should be left to client/therapist choice, so should female Thoracic Massage.
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Permalink Reply by Gary W Addis, LMT on
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I am still a student, so haven't been faced with this issue. I think to protect myself, I would ask to have a female witness in the room while I did the massage. Would that satisfy the law?
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Not if it states only a female Therapist can do Breast Massage. You are not in Tennessee, what are your state or local laws. Does the law state a witness must be present/ Witnesses are not for law usually but for insurance companies. They want a witness to fit sexual harassment/abuse lawsuits.
Think carefully about having another person in the room. My opinion is that it disturbs the atmosphere of the massage and brings your trustworthiness into question. I have had students/interns in the room only when a client agrees or another Therapist when doing tandem couples massage. If they feel comfortable enough with you to do the Breast Massage, they might not be comfortable with another person watching.
Gary W Addis said:I am still a student, so haven't been faced with this issue. I think to protect myself, I would ask to have a female witness in the room while I did the massage. Would that satisfy the law?
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Makes sense, Daniel--I hadn't given it enough thought. But it will be some time before I graduate and have to be prepared when the request is made. BTW, I have an insecure wife, so that presents another set of problems. :/
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Gary, if you have an insecure wife, and your state permits cross gender breast massage, I would make it a personal policy to not do breast massage. If a clients asks why, tell them that you are not doing it for personal reasons and leave it at that. My GF is very secure, otherwise I wouldn't be in this business. You shouldn't risk your personal life and marriage over something like this. Your clients should understand and accept your choices and will respect and trust you even more.
Gary W Addis said:Makes sense, Daniel--I hadn't given it enough thought. But it will be some time before I graduate and have to be prepared when the request is made. BTW, I have an insecure wife, so that presents another set of problems. :/
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Permalink Reply by Kevin Green on
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There are a lot of good therapeutic reasons for massaging the breast. Client education is in order on this subject. I have had several clients referred by their surgeon for pre and post operative breast massage to speed the healing and help the nerve recover. Nursing mothers can be helped with the milk ducts and the lumps that sometimes follow breastfeeding can be relieved. Gender issues go both ways on this, I work with my wife and many women are shy about this but some are shy to have a female work on them but have no fear of a man doing the work.
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