What are off limits during a massage?
During a massage, certain body areas are typically avoided to prevent discomfort or potential injury. These include direct manipulation of the spine, the front of the neck, and any visibly injured or inflamed areas. A full-body massage doesn’t have to include your sensitive areas. You can say which parts of your body you don’t want to be touched. A full-body massage usually includes your arms, legs, hands and feet, your neck and back, your stomach and buttocks.A full body massage typically covers your back, shoulders, neck, legs, arms, hands and head/scalp, in that order. Some therapists will include chest massage if it’s indicated as part of a sports or deep tissue massage (for example to help with restricted breathing).Massage therapists may be asked to treat areas of the body that are considered sensitive; for example, the chest wall muscles, breast, gluteal region, upper inner thigh, anterior pelvic region, and groin area.It’s up to you. Women usually remove their bras to allow the massage therapist to work on the back and shoulder area without getting massage oil or lotion on the bra. If your problem area is your low back, hips, buttocks, or groin, tight-fitting or large underwear can sometimes get in the way of massage work.Comfort is Key: Choose loose, comfortable clothing for before and after your massage. Less is More: You will be asked to undress to your comfort level for the massage. Personal Preferences Matter: Communicate your comfort level and preferences with your therapist.
Is it okay to touch your massage therapist?
No, touching the masseuse is not any form of massage. Even in some spas you are not allowed to touch the masseuse. While in some places the masseuse allows you to touch to get some extra money, even we don’t need to judge them for that. Most people undress to their comfort level, typically keeping on underwear. You’ll always be professionally draped with sheets—only the area being worked on is exposed. Thai or Shiatsu massage? These are often done fully clothed, sometimes on a mat.So, please don’t embarrass yourself by asking for anything more than a massage. If you do, you’ll ruin the rapport with your therapist, and there’s a good chance that you will be asked to leave. There’s nothing remotely happy about that ending.Here touching with lots of physical contact is totally accepted without anyone feeling uneasy about it. But the very second the massage is over, don’t even think of hugging or touching the therapist in any way! This would be considered very inappropriate.The answer is; it’s totally up to you. It’s your massage, and your therapist will likely tell you to; “…undress to your comfort level.For individuals who are not comfortable removing clothing, you can request a clothes-on massage. For individuals who plan on having a full body massage and are comfortable with removing clothing, the standard is to keep your undergarments on.