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Draping versus No Draping
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 Relax & Rejuvenate on
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Daniel Cohen said:There are many situations where nudity is acceptable such as a gym shower, locker rooms, saunas, Korean Spas, Beaches (depending on local laws) and it varies by custom and locale.
But in none of these situatioins is a licensed professional in a private room touching the naked people who would otherwise wander around these venues. And the licensed professional is not naked either. So if it is ok for the client to be nude, why shouldn't the LMT be nude by their choice. Client can be draped or not, MT can be clothed or not. Either combination is fine, it's all personal perception?!?!?!
If you saw two people at a nude beach, and one was rubbing the other's body, what would you think was going on?
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Permalink Reply by Daniel Cohen on
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Actually in the Korean Spas the scrubbers are required in California to be certified MTs. As for on the beach I'd think friends were exchanging massage or putting on sunscreen. Most states require professional attire for performing massage. It is required even at nudist resorts. So it is a matter of law which is different from the law requiring draping being provided to a client. Your suggestion is simply an attempt to confuse the professional issue.
I am in agreement with Sandy when it comes to draping as distraction. If you are stopping to move a sheet it can not be as fluid and continuous as no drape or a small towel.
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I am addressing the logic of your arguement, not a professional issue.
We are not talking about what is prohibited by law. We assume everyone follows the laws regarding draping and therapist attire.
In the absence of a requirement, clients are asking MTs to provide undraped massage.
My point is in the absence of a requirement -- which you admit not every state governs therapist attire -- what is the difference in a licensed professional doing a massage topless or even nude and the client wanting to be nude?
You arguement is it is all about personal sensibilities -- so why not incorporate the pesonal sensibilities of the MT? If draping inhibits massage to its full potential, surely clothing restricts the movement of MTs as well.
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R&R,I do think that clothing considerations on the part of the MT are legitimate. You don't often see MT's wear high heels and I'm sure that is for functional reasons. Typically they do wear loose, comfortable clothing that allows for them move but I think you make a fair point. An MT does not need to be naked to do their job. An MT doesn't need the client to be naked either.
Many people report that they can give a better massage without a drape. I will take them at their word and give anyone the benefit of the doubt. However, I have a hard time believing that the quality of an undraped massage is so much better than a draped one that it makes a significant difference to the client.
My hyposthesis is that the added quality comes from psychological benefits rather than the actual massage. I think some folks reject this but this type of therapy ranges beyond the tissue and into the mind and soul. I think people who want undraped massage are more comfortable in their mind and soul if they can be undraped. Maybe they feel a stronger connection to the therapist or they feel accepted for what their body is. If they feel more comfortable in the mind and soul and feel closer to the therapist would it be a surprise if they reported they thought there massage was better? It would seem that could be a realistic cause and effect.
Likewise, if someone wanted to be draped and the draping was minimal or not well done would it be a surprise if they reported the massage was not very good?
Relax & Rejuvenate said:I am addressing the logic of your arguement, not a professional issue.
We are not talking about what is prohibited by law. We assume everyone follows the laws regarding draping and therapist attire.
In the absence of a requirement, clients are asking MTs to provide undraped massage.
My point is in the absence of a requirement -- which you admit not every state governs therapist attire -- what is the difference in a licensed professional doing a massage topless or even nude and the client wanting to be nude?
You arguement is it is all about personal sensibilities -- so why not incorporate the pesonal sensibilities of the MT? If draping inhibits massage to its full potential, surely clothing restricts the movement of MTs as well.
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There have been a number of posts referring to laws. And many of them were in error quoting assumptions and not the law.
As for the MT wearing clothes, I think unless it is in a nudist environment it easily gives sexual signals especially if the client is new. With clothes on an MT has better control of the situation. That is also why most clients keep underwear on at least the first few sessions with the therapist. In my opinion it is more a security issue for both client and therapist.
My point has been that draping should be a choice of both therapist and client. I also give the choice of being clothed or unclothed for the sessions. I use towels for draping and only remember two times that I was asked for a sheet which I provided. I probably have done a little over a dozen undraped in 12 years, which more women than men requested. A more do not want the back to be draped. Face up I usually use a hand towel for those. The rest of my unclothed clients are draped with a bath towel. I use two towels for women face up. As policy at my place we require the genitals covered with a towel. This is mostly to distinguish us from several salons within a few blocks of us that don't cover so they can provide their special services.
Relax & Rejuvenate said:I am addressing the logic of your arguement, not a professional issue.
We are not talking about what is prohibited by law. We assume everyone follows the laws regarding draping and therapist attire.
In the absence of a requirement, clients are asking MTs to provide undraped massage.
My point is in the absence of a requirement -- which you admit not every state governs therapist attire -- what is the difference in a licensed professional doing a massage topless or even nude and the client wanting to be nude?
You arguement is it is all about personal sensibilities -- so why not incorporate the pesonal sensibilities of the MT? If draping inhibits massage to its full potential, surely clothing restricts the movement of MTs as well.
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No to Togas! Too loose and can flap in the clients face. How about a scuba suit?
Ezekiel OBrien said:By that logic, all in favor of draping all the time and never giving a client a choice should do massage in Togas. Welcome to silly season. Carry on.
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Permalink Reply by Dan Brownell on
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Me, I would just be jealous, because one of them is on the receiving end of a massage. Something I rarely get. The lucky devil!
Daniel Cohen said:If you saw two people at a nude beach, and one was rubbing the other's body, what would you think was going on?
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Permalink Reply by Steve - Maryland L.M.T. on
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>It can be annoying sometimes when there is too much draping, example, sheet and blanket . . .
>It's important to remember modesty and protecting the client's privacy at all times.It is hard to find the exact balance for clients. When I am receiving a massage I consider it to be particularly distracting when a therapist seems (to me) to be overly focused on draping, taking great care to tuck the sheet so tightly around my thigh that nothing -- not air, not light, not even sub-atomic particles -- can possibly escape.
I know that many massage schools teach their students to be, umm . . . _thorough_ in draping securely. But the impression that it gives to me is the therapist has hangups about bodies.
Like I said, it's hard to find a balance.
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I had a massage today where I was not draped. I'm a tall middle aged white guy, and after I paid the massage fee they introduce me to a short black middle aged woman, she shows me to the room and leaves while I get undressed and lay down on the massage table. I was a little surprised when she returned and didn't drape me, I didn't ask her and she didn't offer. Honestly I really hate those sheets when getting a massage away. When she asked me to turn over, I was very surprised she still didn't cover me with anything, I expected at least she cover me with a wash towel, again she didn't offer and not being shy I didn't say anything. She completed the massage very professionally and I left happy. I will admit I was getting a little cold towards the end, but it was a very refreshing experience, I plan to repeat soon.
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I would disagree. There are plenty of Asian Massage parlors that provide "additional" services for less than what most licensed massage therapist charge. To make a statement anyone that asks for no draping are sexual deviants is over generalizing. I would agree however if they are offering more money for no draping service, there intentions may be more sinister.
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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Ok, clearly Jimmy, you do not know what the law states. But your point is valid. You SHOULD know the law in the state you practice in and then decide from there. Just because someone wants a massage without draping, doesnt mean that person is a pervert or looking for more than just massage, but you have to decide as a therapist what YOU are comfortable with and go with that.
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Lisa, one thing I do in my practice that I've never really seen anywhere else is I have a form called 'Draping Request'. On this form, I list each style of massage that I offer with any draping options that I offer where the client can check the one they want. They also have to sign and date at the bottom of the page. At the top, I put a little blurb about what draping is and how I handle it in my practice. This way, the client and I are on the same page. I think you'll find that this will help you alot in your practice. This method also lets clients know what you offer for draping without them having to ask you so if you dont want to offer no draping as an option, you dont put it on the sheet, plus you may also want to say somewhere at the top that you dont allow no draping.
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