draping for unclothed chair massage?? help!

[reese]

HI, a woman whom I've only given chair massage at a local store just made her first appointment to come to my private practice, and she said that she really needs to be massaged in a chair (she first said her sinuses were the problem, but even when I said she would never be face down she said she much prefers the chair).

I'm not sure whether she wants to stay dressed (I'm guessing she does), but before I ask, where can I go to find draping methods for the chair should someone prefer not to keep clothes on? I'm assuming there are chair draping methods out there.

thank you!! her appointment is Tuesday but if she wants unclothed chair massage and it's not enough time to learn proper draping, i'll reschedule or refer her.

Thank you!!!

 

[CL3VZ323]

I'd love to be shown how a person might be draped on a chair, but I have never heard of it. Seems one of the main purposes of chair massage is the ability to do "on the spot" massages that don't require preparation, such as taking the clothes off. Additionally, I think it would be hard to drape anyone that is basically sitting up. How would the drape stay on? The other thing about chair massage is that it is almost exclusively done in a public area: sporting event, store, other event of some kind, etc. I see this as why chairs are used as opposed to massage tables: people don't have to get undressed.

So interested to hear positive replies.

 

[Panda]

bikini top would be nearly perfect, or one of those convertible bra things might work.

Kinda depends on how she's built, too. Easy if she's small, not so easy if she's not.

 

[RuNnErGiRl]

I have my chair set up in my private office, and do on occasion get men that want to take their shirts off, although I really prefer to do chair massage through clothing. It's what I'm used to.

Gotta say a naked person on the chair gave me a big "Ewwww" factor. :roll: I did once have a women at an "on location" gig in an office want to take off her shirt and pop open her bra and have me use lotion. I wasn't exactly prepared for this but sort of did the "Oh. Sure........." response. It was in a private office, and she laughed when I did my three second hesitation. She said she was a gym rat and being unclothed in front of other women just wasn't an issue for her, so if that was why I was hesitating not to worry. So that's how we did her massage, but I only worked on her neck and back, and she used her blouse to drape the chest cushion, and didn't remove her pants, and there was a lock on the door.

Those are the only times I've ever been asked I just can't picture completely naked though........if naked is that important, I'd steer them to a table massage side lying to avoid the sinus issue. I'd just say it wasn't an option. I always tell people they don't disrobe during a chair massage.
savannah

 

[Athena]

draping for unclothed chair massage?? help!

I'm not sure whether she wants to stay dressed (I'm guessing she does), but before I ask, where can I go to find draping methods for the chair should someone prefer not to keep clothes on?

Personally I do not do unclothed work in the chair -- and I am the one who makes that decision, not the client. Their preference wouldn't enter into it. IME the chair just isn't conducive to draping -- and many clients prefer the chair partly b/c they assume they will be clothed anyway. (If I wondered whether the client knew that, I'd just give a quick call on a day sometime before the appt, and remind her to wear a tank top or sports bra if she's like some direct skin contact.)

 

[Abby M.]

The only female I've had on my chair without a shirt or bra on is my daughter. Pants stay on, towel covers the chest pad.

Obviously, this is not a procedure for a chair event. Explain the steps while she is still standing.

The client sits on the chair clothed. Adjust the chair as needed for a comfortable fit. Give her a moment to sit back, remove her top & bra, and resettle in the chair. Even with the arms on the arm rest, no more skin shows in a chair than does on a table. Tuck a towel or pillowcase into the waistband to protect the clothing.

Be sure to have a place close by that she can set her clothing on, like a chair or stool you can move out of the way ~ and be sure to put it back when you're finished.


hth

 

[archjohnson]

these are such great clear fast responses--thank you so much!! i'll give her a call today; I finally realized how to phrase the call in a way that wouldn't sound odd or invasive. I love though that *I* can make the decision--course--how simple! I'll just suggest lightweight bottoms (as opposed to jeans) and a tank.

I also have that "ew" factor at the idea of unclothed chair massage (not sure WHY though), but I know some therapists use the chair for clients with back problems that make lying straight hard or impossible....

thanks y'all. any other thoughts much welcome--I'm new at this!

 

[alone2venture]

thank you!!

these are such great, clear, fast responses--thank you so much! Thanks Beccy for stressing that I can make the decision--it sounds so simple once you say it . Thanks Denise for the detailed protocol suggestions. Thanks Savannah for affirming my "ew" response to the idea of unclothed chair massage (I'm not sure exactly WHY I have the "ew" response, but there it is). Comfy shorts and a tank should work just great; I'll suggest it.

Thanks y'all. Any other thoughts much welcome. I know there are some clients for whom, especially because of certain back problems, the chair is the most comfortable option, so I'd be curious whether anyone has found a draping technique that works for them.

 

[Merie]

Once in a while I will get someone that wants to be shirtless in the chair - in a private location of course. I just put a paper towel on the chest pad, then let them disrobe in private. Since I do not work on lower body at all in the chair (too hard on my body), there is no reason for them to remove clothing below the waist.

If this person wants more body parts worked on besides upeforum.xxxody stuff - I would strongly suggest the table. If sinuses are a problem - there's always the sidelying position that works just fine.

Although you want your person to be as comfortable as possible - you are the expert here. Also, your comfort level is the first thing to be considered.

 

[Chula Lula]

At one, I would work some clients in a standard chair with a half bolster bracing their back. This had been for head, neck, shoulder issues. For men, they would remove their shirts; for women they would remove the tops but leave their bra on (infact, I would request they wear a sports bra if they had one). For both men and women, I would offer them a towel drape fastened with a hair clip. Below the waistline, they would be clothed, sans their shoes. (As I now use CST to release the chest and neck area, I seldom do chair work for these areas.)

My question would be why the client preferred the chair over the table. Draping issues?

Good luck with your client and let us know how it went.

 

[DAVENANN A]

A few thoughts, though I've never worked undraped on a massage chair before:

First try to find a friend to practice this technique on, so you can find out if it will actually work or not. This would take three sheets.

• Ask the client on the phone if she prefers to be clothed or without clothing for the massage.
  
• If you are comfortable with performing the massage unclothed, and this is what she requests, you could get some sort of large clips (like a clothes pins or something). Securely drape and clip one sheet around the chest peice of the chair and one sheet around the seat of the chair (two sepreate sheets). And, of course drape the face cradle as you normally would.
  
• Inform the client to remove all of the garmets she is comfortable removing, and to please wrap the third sheet around her body, with the opening in the front. Don't forget to explain to the client how to sit on the chair (face forward head in face cradle).
  
• Step out of the room.
  
• Knock before returning.
  
• Then have a few extra clothes pins to secure in strategic areas (you'll have to see what may work) and perform your massage accordingly.

 

[Saji]

pueppi, that's really creative!

 

[Double Trouble]

pueppi, that's really creative!

Thanks! Somedays I can be a mental masterpiece! *HA!*

I just thought of something else too:

If you are handy with a sewing machine, you could make elasticized covers for both the chest piece and the seat, by taking two large pillowcases (I think that size would work), and cutting them open along the seam. Sew your casing along the edge and slip your elastic in. Of course, you'd then sew together the ends of the elastic and finish your binding, making sure for the elastic to be loose enough to go over the chest piece and seat, but tight enough to not come off the pads either.

I'd think 1/4" elastic would work just fine.

Then you'd just need the large draping sheet for the client.

 

[Crying tears of geek joy.]

IF you were to do unclothed chair massage, a simple hospital gown with an open back would do the trick. Have them keep their pants and/or undies on too, and you'd be fine.