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Massage Draping: Do you touch butts?
In my capacity as the owner of a mobile massage service I interview a lot of MTs. It's pretty interesting to see the differences in draping techniques and philosophies. I think a lot of it is borne from the school the therapist attended. Some - especially newer therapists, are quite prude and won't uncover or touch anything practically past the knee (not like there are any important muscles under there!), while others are so bold you wonder if they are going to take your temperature the old fashioned way! I'm interested to get different views on this topic. I also wrote a short massage blog about it with a few of my own additional thoughts.
Looking forward to your replies!
D. Melmed
Body Well Therapy
Views: 11019
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Laurie on
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Draping reflects the combined boundaries of both the client and therapist. It is a mutually agreed upon level of coverage. Clients can ask for more or less draping and the therapist can either say yes or no. I agree, there is a wide range of draping techniques. Some like the security and warmth of being totally wrapped, while other prefer minimal coverage. It's a joint decision.
Working the posterior hip muscles is very important in therapeutically treating low back pain and other pain issues. Do it the way that is most comfortable for you and your client. Working through a sheet is a very effective method.
Now, I'll read your blog ...
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Permalink Reply by Daniel Melmed on
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Thanks Laurie. I have encountered many therapists who really try to avoid working under a sheet, or simply refuse to do it at all because either they are themselves not comfortable with it (image an LMT not comfortable enough with the human body to work on a gluteus muscle) or because they were taught not to in school. I think some of these teachers are too academic and don't understand reality sometimes. That said, I agree it should be between therapist and client, but there should be no artificial boundary there imposed by the therapist basically out of prudishness.
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Permalink Reply by Gordon J. Wallis on
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I palpate and massage hips on everybody except teenagers 16 or under. If I'm doing trigger point work, it's through a sheet. If its massage, it's skin and oil.
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Permalink Reply by Jody C. Hutchinson on
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This is great. I live in California and the county massage code, replaced by CAMTC, stated that exposing and working on the bare butt was a no-no. Opps, I am such a criminal.
jh
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Permalink Reply by Neal Lyons on
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Healthy discussion here. To me the usage is based on comfort for both the client and the practitioner. Privacy for the client and an avenue for the practitioner to be able to work on the buttocks and nearby areas without violating privacy as well as laws. It also makes both more comfortable. Thus to answer your question, it should be used in anyway that provides comfort to both parties.
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i personally do not touch the glutes undraped unless asked to massage that area. in which case the glutes remain draped unless i suspect direct pressure and contact is required to better massage out a trigger point. i agree with what everyone else is saying, its a boundry to be agreed upon by both parties.
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Permalink Reply by Derek Derolf on
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Yes i always work undraped glutes, it is a very important muscle group. I dont think i would make a very good therapist skipping a whole muscle group. If the client leaves their underwear on, i will at least work the area with compression.
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Always. And like Derek said. If they have underwear on, I just rub over the area without oil. Every once in a while( once a year), a women may tell me not to massage her hips. And teenagers I don't. Today between two people there were six to seven trigger points in the glutes that can refer pain down the leg and into the lower back. It is a very important muscle group. And a lot of women are working out their glutes in order to keep an attractive figure. And I get a lot of coments on how good it feels when I massage that area because of the exercise sornes. I think when I was a beginning therapist, I was a little more uptight about working that area. It's a none issue now.
Derek Derolf said:Yes i always work undraped glutes, it is a very important muscle group. I dont think i would make a very good therapist skipping a whole muscle group. If the client leaves their underwear on, i will at least work the area with compression.
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The attached files below show how important the glute area can be. So I think, if you are not uptight, the client won't be. Just my thinking though. Are there laws in some states that say you can not massage the BUTT? Thats insane. I'm in Alaska thank God.
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20140813_195146.jpg, 668 KB
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Permalink Reply by Gary W Addis, LMT on
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dependent on state regs, draping may be required except for one bodypart at a time, and hip and breasts must be covered at all times. Absolutely no working beneath the sheet or client's clothing! I inform all clients, "Undress to your comfort level, but do remember that where the clothing starts, the massage stops...if you are wearing a bra, I cannot effectively work your back."
Massaging the butt, as in rubbing it as in a caress is a no-no in my opinion. Working the muscle for therapeutic effect is altogether different. That's kneading with a relaxed fist; or straight fingers into the muscle for tp release
Daniel Melmed said:Thanks Laurie. I have encountered many therapists who really try to avoid working under a sheet, or simply refuse to do it at all because either they are themselves not comfortable with it (image an LMT not comfortable enough with the human body to work on a gluteus muscle) or because they were taught not to in school. I think some of these teachers are too academic and don't understand reality sometimes. That said, I agree it should be between therapist and client, but there should be no artificial boundary there imposed by the therapist basically out of prudishness.
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Permalink Reply by Sarah DeRosier on
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I only feel comfortable doing it when I am giving massages to my boyfriend. lol and he is happy to play guinea pig to any homework I have.
not so sure how I would feel doing it if I was doing it as a job just yet.
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You really need to get over that aversion. About 8 of every ten clients you see will want their glutes worked, and will complain if the therapist doesn't. And if they are suffering from painful hips, low back or legs, IMO it's the therapist's responsibility to try to relieve it.
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