Experiences sans draping

[Pompal 09.]

Hey folks,

So I just started working at a place where, because of the locker-room type environment, draping just generally doesn't happen. Had my first shift tonight in fact, and it was very interesting.

Previously I'd only done one undraped massage, at the request of a long term client and close friend who I trust, on a summer day when the air conditioning in the office was broken.

Between that and tonight, I'll just come out and say it: I think undraped massage is great. I'm a very visual person, more visual than kinesthetic, and while I know my way around a drape and the body, these massages just felt easier and smoother. Perhaps I'll get to that with the drape as well, but it's nice to be able to experience how that feels (the ease, etc) right now where I'm at.

Also, I've received two Esalen massages from someone who was trained before they started using drapes... but not having had it from someone who knows how to drape it, I have no idea how they would accomplish that.

I can see how lack of draping could highlight (and I use that word specifically here) a lack of trust, or help a client rationalize crossing a boundary, even one stated in the clearest way possible... on the other hand, I find the diversity of experiences I've read about and such interesting... draping doesn't guarantee respectful clients, just as not draping doesn't guarantee disrespectful ones.

I'm interested to hear from other people on your experiences of giving and/or receiving undraped massage.

 

[crtbryn]

Hmmm, I'm definitely in the "no thanks" caeforum.xxxory on this one. I can certainly see how it would be easier, but I'm one who likes my boundaries to be visual as well as intentional. There are some things I just do not want to see, anyway! But besides that, undraped massage is definitely illegal in Wisconsin, so my feelings on the issue don't matter. Actually, I was taught in school that it was illegal all across the country! Amazing what a school in Wisconsin doesn't know about laws in California, LOL!

 

[krrue]

I'm unclear on the status of the laws here, especially regionally. I believe there are localities in CA that have laws against it.

 

[equine_business]

I can understand where you would feel more fluid and free giving a massage to someone who was not draped.
In school we learned to drape with a towel. In the prone position the only thing that was covered was someone's glute cleavage (nicest way to say it).
It was nice. You could easily move around and connect the upper body and the lower body with full length moves. Unfortunatly, after a few months in the working world, this draping just didn't work. Many clients were uncomfortable, cold, or the towel just wouldn't cover some enough. I eventually switched to using sheets - now everyone is happy and if I still want to do some full body moves I can (as long as there is not underwear!) with good draping.

I wouldn't want to receive a massage with no drape, nor would I want to give a massage with no drape.
But I can appreciate the difference in the work you could provide without one.

 

[godsmack_jenny]

The only way I would forego using a drape would be if the client was in underwear:their own or disposable. There is no reason why the genitals should be exposed. Any contact with them is inappropriate.(not inferring that you did). So there is no reason they should be uncovered.

Robyn

 

[macho man]

I'm with Masthera on "In the prone position the only thing that was covered was someone's glute cleavage" It just gives you a bit more of a landmark when you get very flowing moves. I use a 1yd wide sheet, and it bunches up bewteen the legs very easily (this is all weather permitting)

One of the courses I did worked towards undraped as you did more and more levels, (lomi lomi) First level there was a sheet on the table and a sheet on the body, next no sheet on the table, by the time you were turning people over without them doing anything, a drape was very difficult to work with. I found I got incredibly cold very easily when worked on undraped (underactive thyroid later diagnosed) I did get a bit of flack about wanting a drape when I was face up, but I was COLD!!!

Anyway, I use a sheet on the table in my practice, I just won't go through the effort of cleaning the table between clients - it's much easier to change linen, that means I can't turn clients over while they half doze, so draping being a problem in turning the client is not an issue.

For women I have an extra 10"wide piece of material that covers the top half of the torso, still gives lots of access to the stomach, and you can still get good flowing moves up the legs and over the stomach.

I don't use this style of draping on every client, but then I don't use the same style of massage on every client, it depends what they need that day, it it's a lot of long flowing work, it's this draping, if it's specific areas, I just uncover the area being worked on, sometimes it's mixture of both. Sometimes it's just a heat pack on the belly when face up with a foot massage, then there will be even more linens used.

 

[DaveC]

Personally, I would never massage a client without some kind of draping. The main reason being that there are some things that I just don't need or want to see!


I know that some methods of massage lend themselves to either minimal or no draping but I'm not trained in any of them. Draping doesn't interfer in any way with the massage that I do. I use very large towels to drape with and can fold and tuck them in such a way that I could do a head to toe stroke without it getting in the way.

I have a regular client who received a massage at a ski resort and they used no draping. She said that she was never able to relax mainly due to being cold the whole time.

Angie

 

[Candleguy:]

Yeah, the rooms at this place are kept so warm that the MTs wear shorts and t-shirts. I wore light pants and a t-shirt, and got too warm... didn't expect that, as I get cold easily.

 

[johnno]

One of my teachers trained at Esalen, at the time when both partners would work 'undraped'. It must be a different experience needing a different level of trust and openness. I have only tried it with a partner, many years ago, working from the Esalen Massage Book. It was a very nice experience, but learning from a book is never the best way. As to the temperature in the room, my teacher says her teacher taught her that if both partners are not sweating, it's not hot enough!

 

[lovelove11]

You know, I haven't had a chance to really think over this whole thread, but I have been doing some searching on draping laws in Texas (since you brought this thread up), and I find it interesting that I haven't been able to locate something that says "no draping" is illegal. I vaguely recall that discussion in school, but can't find anything in the law. I'd be interested to know which states actually have or don't have draping laws.

Edit (thanks akb): Texas draping law- "draping will be used during the session, unless otherwise agreed to by both the client and the registrant"

Back to topic.

I've recieved what would be considered undraped massage (had to have the sheet when I got cold), and I definitely think it can be very beneficial in the relaxation process. I pretty much zonked out. My main problem with it, is that I get cold quickly. So, you can be zonking and then getting cold all at one time. If the temp was right, and all that jazz, I can see how relaxing it can be.

However, in a business sense, it is not something I would offer as I think it can breed for bad behaviour, especially in the US where we are not so comfortable with the naked human body. In the US anything "nekkid" seems to be of a sexual nature, though in many European countries it is just not an issue. There are my thoughts on it.

 

[Ninni]

in florida, (back in the day ), it was specifically unlawful by florida administrative code (the rules for the way the laws are written) to not drape the breasts of a female and the genitals of either gender. the statutes portion states that 1. every massage establishment has to have draping material for each client and 2. no sexual activity permitted.

sometime in the late 90's, the rule was repealed. i thought i read somewhere that it was unlawful to massage a breast surgery patient, even in a doctor's office. i have also seen ads for ceu's for those wanting lymph drainage for the plastic surgery patient.

edit: i may not have been clear: what i read was that with informed consent, the client may be undraped for therapeutic medical massage.
i also believe that it had to do with insurance reimbursement for the massage therapist.

btw, i had a younger gal from canada a few years ago who was stunned that i don't include breast massage with the service. not a sexual request either. she seemed to indicate it was normal to do so in canada. any comments?

 

[no name]

I can certainly see how it would be easier, but I'm one who likes my boundaries to be visual as well as intentional. There are some things I just do not want to see, anyway! But besides that, undraped massage is definitely illegal in Wisconsin, so my feelings on the issue don't matter.

http://www.legis.state.wi.us/rsb/code/rl/rl094.pdf
The statute actually states that the state considers "failure to provide draping and treatment that ensure the safety and privacy of a client" as grounds for discipline. So, yeah, you can possibly lose your license over providing undraped massage in our state.
However, personally, I'm with Sharon, there are just some things best kept covered... :?

 

[fghi594]

btw, i had a younger gal from canada a few years ago who was stunned that i don't include breast massage with the service. not a sexual request either. she seemed to indicate it was normal to do so in canada. any comments?

Well, I don't know about the other provinces, but in Ontario we learn breast massage in school (totally non-sexual!) It's good for pregnant women, women who are having trouble breastfeeding, or if you are pre-menstrual and are just sore there. It's mostly a lymphatic treatment. It's not usually included in a full body treatment, and I've only had one client request it since I graduated. As far as the draping goes, you can't touch the nipple at any time, and only one breast can be undraped at a time.

 

[Pompal 09.]

We were taught lymphatic drainage techniques for the breasts that includes the breast tissue and the lymph nodes in the axillary and sternal regions but this is done for specific medical conditions. As the previous poster stated, it is done one breast at a time, the nipples are never touched and the draping is specific.

I would never think of including this in a full body massage. In my opinion it should only be done if the client is having problems and needs it for therapeutic reasons.

We used to have a client that would request that the breasts be done as part of a relaxation massage. We would go lower on the pects than we normally would but no one was comfortable going below the nipple area. This wasn't what she wanted and she finally left to go somewhere else.

Angie

 

[M T]

I agree with most of the others on here. There is no need to expose the genitals. I think that most people would be more comfortable draped, especially if they are a first time massage client.

I do wish that more schools taught breast massage. My school didn't. I think that they could be extrememly beneficial. I sure could use one. Bras as we women know can be very binding. And who knows, maybe breast massage could reduce the number of breast cancer victims...just a thought.

 

[alohaaizzy]

re: draping laws and breast massage ceus

For those curious, here's the draping law for North Carolina:
"Licensees shall ensure that the following areas are draped during treatment: the gluteal and genital areas for male and female clients, and the breast area for female clients. With voluntary and informed consent of the client, the gluteal and breast drapes may be temporarily moved in order to perform therapeutic treatment to structures in those areas."

Breast Massage Classes
hndpict1020 - you mentioned wishing your school had taught breast massage. My school also skipped this, but I'm taking some lymphatic drainage courses this year, and breast massage will be included. If you're interested, the Upledger Institute teaches it as part of their second level of Lymph Training:
http://www.iahe.com/controller/CourseInstanceDisplaySpecific?semCode=96795

 

[Spice Man]

response to OP

I took a look at your profile and was a bit surprised to see some sort of Heartwood associated link and that you are in the Bay Area. Back when I lived there, I got a couple of massages at Heartwood Spa and the experience (surprisingly, at least to me) was different than you indicated. For those who don't know Heartwood (and Santa Cruz in general), Heartwood Spa has a clothing optional sunning area and hot tub and sauna. When you get a massage, you also get the use of those areas so it isn't unusual for your massage therapist to come out to find you at your allotted time for your massage. In every instance for me, they did drape for a massage (unlike Esalan which also has CO hot tubs and swimming pool). In a warm environment, it doesn't much matter to me (any more) one way or the other but it did seem a bit unusual since most of the facility (Heartwood) was clothing optional (CO).

My requirements on draping (provided I am comfortable with the CMT) were (I am probably more prudish now being out of CA awhile):
1) I am warm (now I am in a colder climate and find it REALLY nice that it is common to have a heating pad under the sheet on the table...tends to help relax the muscles even more...you'd think more CMTs would have a hot tub available for a 10-15 minute soak before the massage, too)
2) That the CMT doesn't spend more time re-arranging draping than on my massage (I have had some do that and think THAT is an indication they are in the wrong business)
3) Other than those, I just go with however the therapist normally does a massage and have never requested undraped (though that is what I've gotten a few times merely by the absence of any available drape)
4) Oh yes, one more thing, when draping...I prefer a towel or a blanket (cannot stand a sheet only...that actually makes me feel naked)

 

[Ann_E1]

I live in an international resort and have the privilege of working with visitors from the world over. A sheet is provided for cover and I try to keep the room very warm. Rarely a client will choose not to use the cover sheet. I simply ask if they do not wish to use the cover and, if so, to let me know if they become cool during treatment. My experience has been that these clients are usually European, if North American then usually from urban centres; but equally male and female. I have no problem working on a nude body.

I only massage a female's breasts if she requests. These requests are more rare than massages w/o a cover, no more than a handfu... er, a few in twenty years or so.

By the way, during class instruction in breast massage it so happened that there were not enough female students willing to allow male students to practice on them. Naturally, it was my cruel fate to be one of the two males left without a female partner. Yes, we had to take turns pretending with each other, like air guitar, to be massaging our imaginary female breasts; ever so careful not to touch the invisible nipples. Bizarrely comic it was in some utterly humiliating way...

 

[Victoria U]

Us Zen Shiatsu guys don't have to worry about this issue! However, my very first massage, from a friend of my wife, was a nude Esalen massage.

 

[javon]

Hi irish-george,

I did attend Heartwood Institute (it's now in Southern Humboldt), and all of our massages were draped... the undraped massage discussed in my original post is part of one of my current jobs.

Currently, I wouldn't say that "most" of Heartwood is clothing optional... the pool & sauna areas comprise a very small portion of their 200 acres And the very long walk between those areas and the treatment rooms is not clothing optional!