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Masseuse, masseur, or massage therapist?
This chart shows the frequency of use in literature of the terms masseuse, masseur and massage therapist. As you can see, the term "massage therapist" has greatly overtaken the more archaic terms only in recent years. How do you feel about the use of the term masseuse/masseur when someone's talking about what you do? If you find it offensive, what's your "one-liner" to educate them about the correct term to use for your profession? Let us know and you might see yourself in the next issue of Massage & Bodywork magazine!
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Permalink Reply by Gordon J. Wallis on
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Rick my computer locked up, but I copied my reply to you..its in the attachment. Hope its readable?
Rick Rosen said:Gordon,
Over the past three decades, I've observed that the percentage of people who have an immediate/unconscious association between the words "massage" and "sex" has declined steadily. 30 years ago, I'd guess that 90% of people had that association. Today, probably not more than 20%. Since it'll never get to zero, we can safely move forward with using the term "massage therapy" as our unique brand.
As hands-on practitioners have adopted other non-massage terms to describe and market their work, they have taken themselves out of general public awareness. Terms like myomassology, muscle therapy, bodywork, etc. were created to shake the stigma, but they have not caught on in the marketplace. By using the terms "massage therapy" and "massage therapist" consistently, we strengthen the positioning of this brand.
If there are adult entertainment workers in your area who are using these terms, they should be reported to the state massage licensing agency for action.
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Permalink Reply by Daniel Cohen on
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I agree that timidity and lack of support for what massage can do is more a concern than sexual innuendo. But this has largely been created from the AMA and ACA protection of turf and restricting scope of practice for massage therapists.
Gordon J. Wallis said: http://www.massageprofessionals.com/forum/attachment/download?id=28...
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Rajam I'm not bothered by french terms...but I was having a drink in a bar last night.. Some one asked me what kind of work I did... I said I was a massage therapist..Then the guy said..Do you give happy ending massages.. And everyone at the bar laughed.. And as far as explaining Deep tissue massage... The problem is the education system for our profession.. For a lot of massage therapists. Deep tissue massage simply means to push harder. As Im sure you know.
Our profession doesnt recognize itself.. We dont train or educate ourselves correctly. I know my capabilities as a massage therapist.. Once any underlying pathology is ruled out. You cant get any better care from any other type of health care provider, then from a skilled massage therapist. Thats the reality that needs to be taught and recognized.. And I dont see that in our text books...I just see a bunch of stuff to memorize.
Rajam K Roose said:Good points, Gordon. I've found the terms used accordingly to geographical location (it seems). When I was working in the South (Alabama & Tennessee) everyone I ever met referred to me as a "massage therapist". Even in conversation, a person would say, "Oh yea, I see a massage therapist...."
However, I never was really referred to as a "masseuse" until moving out here to the West coast (San Diego). Everyone here uses that term. "Oh yea, I see a masseur/masseuse regularly, he/she really helps keep me injury free". It doesn't bother me because no one I've heard use it means it in a negative connotation. It doesn't bother me, just a French word and the connotation with prostitution just isn't there in the client/potential client meaning when they use the word.
There's so much dissonance within our profession, just think of trying to explain what deep tissue is to a client who has received deep tissue from a variety of mt's. If we can't get it straight, how can we expect the public perception to follow suit?
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Gordon sometimes it is better to just turn the tables on a jokester. "You aren't my type, you'll have to look for another male therapist". I find just ignoring it has left bad feelings with those around me and responding got me no support. So take it as it is, a poor joke. Rush Limbaugh now says calling Fluke a "slut who is doing too much sex" was a joke. Ha, ha,ha not.
Gordon J. Wallis said:Rajam I'm not bothered by french terms...but I was having a drink in a bar last night.. Some one asked me what kind of work I did... I said I was a massage therapist..Then the guy said..Do you give happy ending massages.. And everyone at the bar laughed.. And as far as explaining Deep tissue massage... The problem is the education system for our profession.. For a lot of massage therapists. Deep tissue massage simply means to push harder. As Im sure you know.
Our profession doesnt recognize itself.. We dont train or educate ourselves correctly. I know my capabilities as a massage therapist.. Once any underlying pathology is ruled out. You cant get any better care from any other type of health care provider, then from a skilled massage therapist. Thats the reality that needs to be taught and recognized.. And I dont see that in our text books...I just see a bunch of stuff to memorize.
Rajam K Roose said:Good points, Gordon. I've found the terms used accordingly to geographical location (it seems). When I was working in the South (Alabama & Tennessee) everyone I ever met referred to me as a "massage therapist". Even in conversation, a person would say, "Oh yea, I see a massage therapist...."
However, I never was really referred to as a "masseuse" until moving out here to the West coast (San Diego). Everyone here uses that term. "Oh yea, I see a masseur/masseuse regularly, he/she really helps keep me injury free". It doesn't bother me because no one I've heard use it means it in a negative connotation. It doesn't bother me, just a French word and the connotation with prostitution just isn't there in the client/potential client meaning when they use the word.
There's so much dissonance within our profession, just think of trying to explain what deep tissue is to a client who has received deep tissue from a variety of mt's. If we can't get it straight, how can we expect the public perception to follow suit?
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Yea Daniel..You know what massage can do for carpal tunnel...it practically eliminates it. Yet our text books dont teach that? Give me a break.! We will never get recognized..
Daniel Cohen said:I agree that timidity and lack of support for what massage can do is more a concern than sexual innuendo. But this has largely been created from the AMA and ACA protection of turf and restricting scope of practice for massage therapists.
Gordon J. Wallis said: http://www.massageprofessionals.com/forum/attachment/download?id=28...
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Permalink Reply by The Rev on
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When I first played with the website the chart comes from, I keyed in the (even more) archaic term "rubber". It was not even on the radar so far as being a profession. I did it again and was reminded the site did not even associate the term "rubber" with masseur.
Given the choices, I prefer masseur or the even more archaic rubber. http://tinyurl.com/7l5vpzy is where you will find a gallery of folk somewhat supportive of my position. I still have an inventory of t-shirts for sale. Write me offlist @ enterprises.flammia@gmail.com for more info.
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Permalink Reply by Laurie on
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Abram's chart shows that after peaking around 1915, the popularity and usage of the the terms 'masseur and masseuse' dropped sharply for over a decade.
Just curious if anyone knows why. Was another term used in the early to mid-1920's; was therapeutic massage absorbed by another profession; or did massage just disappear during the twenties. Historically (wikipedia), some attribute the decline in massage in the 1920's and 1930's to advances in modern medicine allowing the health consumer (public) another option for healthcare while minimizing the use of therapeutic massage as a medical treatment.
As for the terms, I enjoy them all and personally answer to two of the three monikers.
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