Gender specific practice/specialty?

[Mrs.Tucker]

Does anyone specialize in or operate a practice for "men only" or "women only"? I was just wondering.

A township in my area tried to pass an ordinance prohibiting massage therapists from working on the opposite sex. I guess to deter prostitution.

Anyone know of or run a practice specializing in woman's issues? Fertility, pregnancy, mastectomy massage... all of those woman's issues? What do you think of a gender specific practice?

 

[blu]

Gender specific practice/specialty?

I had a client from London and he said that one needed a special license to massage a member of the opposite sex

 

[XxSkylar_LeannexX]

Gender specific practice/specialty?

I understand the thinking of trying to discourage prostitution, but my worry would be that it would also discourage most men from ever getting a massage since they're more comfortable with a female therapist.

 

[Guedo]

Gender specific practice/specialty?

Does anyone specialize in or operate a practice for "men only" or "women only"? I was just wondering.

A township in my area tried to pass an ordinance prohibiting massage therapists from working on the opposite sex. I guess to deter prostitution.

Anyone know of or run a practice specializing in woman's issues? Fertility, pregnancy, mastectomy massage... all of those woman's issues? What do you think of a gender specific practice?

Ellie, are you considering doing this yourself (could play into your desire for a "refresher"/different pace; I read your thread on being burned out)? Or are you asking just because of the political hoo-rah? Personally, I think it's insane for any overseeing body to attempt to regulate massage that much; however, I don't see any problems for an individual practitioner working towards building a specific clientele.

I think that establishing a female-only practice (since you're female, I figured that'd be your goal ) could work well. Prenatal/labor/post-partum massage; infant massage (of course then you'd be working on baby boys too ), mastectomy/breast health massage, and more... all are very viable, and needed areas of expertise. I personally would love to get certified in the Arvigo Mayan Massage techniques (or similar), as my passion is toward women who have pregnancy issues (ranging from fertility issues to difficult pregnancies to the woman who just feels like she's "falling apart at the seams" from having many pregnancies in a short time period).

You could also focus on "female runners", "female equestrians" (I noticed your mention of equine massage/having horses), "female "; or something like "battered women", "divorce survivors" (most of these sorts of ministries/outreaches/groups tend to serve the woman rather than the man, although I imagine that some divorced/abused men could use some support as well); breast cancer survivors, and more.

What are *your* passions? What do *you* love to do? Who are the people *you* love to hang out with? I imagine that with a little creativity and maybe some CE in a different area, you could come up with something unique and vibrant, that would be well-received. Although, if you were going to switch from "general practice" to "female-only", how would you go about .... "deleting" your current male clients?

 

[Curtis T]

Gender specific practice/specialty?

I was thinking of the possibility of having a female centered practice. I don't know if I would want to be a "Women's only" therapist, like the female only gym's and such, but more of a niche market. I wouldn't drop my current male clients, and I don't know if I would want to refuse to see male clients altogether. I think I would consider seeing new male clients if they are referred by exsisting clients. As far as marketing and advertising I think if I developed a specialty in the needs of women, I would market myself as a specialist in these areas rather than a "women only - no men allowed!!" type of practice.

I was also thinking in terms of safety too. I feel much more comfortable inviting women into my home office rather than men I've never met before. If a man gives me a creepy vibe over the phone, I could use the old "I'm a female only practitioner" as my excuse to turn him away too! That's just another added bonus.

I personally have had issues with endometriosis, ovarian cysts, possible fibromyalgia and fatigue, so I can relate to those issues. Most equestrians I know are women and I can relate to "getting back on the horse" again after several years away from riding. Pelvic restrictions can really impact a riders ability. I was looking at a CE course in fertility massage which involves a lot of abdominal techniques (an area that is often neglected and I don't know too many therapists who work on the abdomen) I was thinking those methods might be useful for equestrians and other athletes as well, maybe even the treatment of low back pain. I figured if I got the "fertility massage" certification I might want to build on that?

Just thinking...
Still contemplating...
Still soul searching...

Very grateful for the feedback!

 

[lilkat-ja66]

Gender specific practice/specialty?

I was thinking of the possibility of having a female centered practice. I don't know if I would want to be a "Women's only" therapist, like the female only gym's and such, but more of a niche market. I wouldn't drop my current male clients, and I don't know if I would want to refuse to see male clients altogether. I think I would consider seeing new male clients if they are referred by exsisting clients. As far as marketing and advertising I think if I developed a specialty in the needs of women, I would market myself as a specialist in these areas rather than a "women only - no men allowed!!" type of practice.

I was also thinking in terms of safety too. I feel much more comfortable inviting women into my home office rather than men I've never met before. If a man gives me a creepy vibe over the phone, I could use the old "I'm a female only practitioner" as my excuse to turn him away too! That's just another added bonus.

I personally have had issues with endometriosis, ovarian cysts, possible fibromyalgia and fatigue, so I can relate to those issues. Most equestrians I know are women and I can relate to "getting back on the horse" again after several years away from riding. Pelvic restrictions can really impact a riders ability. I was looking at a CE course in fertility massage which involves a lot of abdominal techniques (an area that is often neglected and I don't know too many therapists who work on the abdomen) I was thinking those methods might be useful for equestrians and other athletes as well, maybe even the treatment of low back pain. I figured if I got the "fertility massage" certification I might want to build on that?

Just thinking...
Still contemplating...
Still soul searching...

Very grateful for the feedback!

Ellie, it honestly sounds to me like you're on the right track. You've been practicing deep tissue/therapeutic massage for 11 years (more or less, considering what you posted in the other thread). That alone tells me that you *care* about your clients. You *can* help them feel better, and you feel good about that, but it's wearing you out. You're looking for something "different enough" to re-spark your passion for massage, as well as giving your own body a change of pace.

I haven't taken any abdominal massage/visceral manipulation classes yet, but I would love to in the future. And with as gentle as you'd have to be doing that, I can see how it could be just the ticket for your aching thumbs.

I say, look into it. Couldn't hurt-- you need CE's anyway, right? See how well you like a preliminary class-- the work itself, as well as the type of client who would need that sort of work. Then, you can better determine whether you want to pursue that line of thinking.

Oh, and equine massage rocks (it's how my husband got started in massage; he still does it but not exclusively anymore), but it can also take a toll on the body. Just.... in different ways. I'm not saying not to pursue that (I can recommend an excellent school for it!), but just.... I wouldn't see that as the "be-all, end-all" answer to your particular issues, from what I've read here.

 

[kbee]

Gender specific practice/specialty?

CE course in fertility massage which involves a lot of abdominal techniques (an area that is often neglected and I don't know too many therapists who work on the abdomen)

Are you talking about Mayan Uterine Massage? Also called Arvigo Massage? If so this is a link for it: https://arvigotherapy.com/
Once you've completed your training you could certainly contact midwives & perhaps some GYN Doc. for referrals as well

You could also consider training in Lymphatic Drainage techniques as it's very helpful for many conditions including problems many women have after undergoing
mastectomy. As both of these trainings would be geared toward female clients.

Let us know what else you're considering!

 

[Arthur]

Gender specific practice/specialty?

That is the course that I intend to take (someday.....). Ellie, if you do decide to try that course, please let me know how you like it! I'd *love* some first-hand feedback about it!

 

[Monkey Cheese]

Gender specific practice/specialty?

I don't remember which member, but I do remember checking out the website of one of our female members here @ MassagePlanetL... and she said she had a "family centered practice."
And I thought that was a really great way of saying mostly female, and male by referral only. :altwink:

 

[kingers1988]

Gender specific practice/specialty?

Well, I'm weighing the pros and cons of the various changes to my practice that I've been considering, I'm really thinking this female specific practice idea through, along with others. I have to make up my mind because I plan to take some CE classes in the spring and I have to decide which ones.

The fertility massage class I have been looking at is this one http://www.nurturingthemother.com/ She has a class that is conveniently locted to me as well as the date.... BUT if I decide to take this class, I'll have to nix the equine massage course I was planning on taking.

So, I'm still contemplating, writing down pros and cons as well as asking myself some career questions that were suggested to me by a career counselor and lots of prayer and meditation. I'll figure this out eventually and let you know what I decide! I appreciate the feedback though!

 

[soccer girl 22]

Gender specific practice/specialty?

I could use the old "I'm a female only practitioner" as my excuse to turn him away too!!

Is that legal to do? I did not think you could discriminate based on sex?

 

[Magnus]

Gender specific practice/specialty?

I could use the old "I'm a female only practitioner" as my excuse to turn him away too!!

Is that legal to do? I did not think you could discriminate based on sex?

Yes, its perfectly legal. I guess someone could try and sue me, but they'd have to want a massage with me pretty badly to go to that extent! There are gyms that are for women only, personal trainers that work only with women, dance classes that are female only, women's medical centers, heck they even market laxatives specifically for women!

 

[Scorched Eartha Policy]

Gender specific practice/specialty?

Sounds pretty reverse discriminating to me. I know we fought to be allowed in "men's only" gyms as "business being done there" and won, yet now we have female only. Surprised the courts have not fought that.

I have never heard of women's only hospitals

 

[ben lam]

Gender specific practice/specialty?

Sounds pretty reverse discriminating to me. I know we fought to be allowed in "men's only" gyms as "business being done there" and won, yet now we have female only. Surprised the courts have not fought that.

I have never heard of women's only hospitals

Well, all I know is no one can force me to see any client I'm not comfortable seeing and if I don't want to see men, that's my choice. And if I want to "specialize" in the needs of women, then that's my specialty, not discrimination. My church only allows women to see female counselors and men can only see male counselors, and couples see couples for counseling and so on. I know several massage therapists in my church who are female and only see women clients because its based on their spritual and moral beliefs. So far none of them have been sued. Like I said if someone has a problem with it they can sue me too.

We have a woman's medical center right here in my town. Mountain Road woman's health center. They even offer massage and skin care treatments and I'm pretty sure its "women only". I've been there and everything is all flowery and feminine. Our women's only gym has been in operation for many years with no problems. I know lots of women who go to that gym because they don't feel comfortable in a "meat market" gym with guys leering at them or hitting on them. My dance instructor only teaches women and bills her establishment as a "safe and comfortable" studio for women of all shapes and sizes to express themselves and let go of inhibitions.

"Curves" is women only and they advertise all over TV too.

 

[Taylor!]

Gender specific practice/specialty?

So why did we fight against the men's only gyms and golf courses, etc?

 

[Pompal 09.]

Gender specific practice/specialty?

So why did we fight against the men's only gyms and golf courses, etc?

We who. Good luck getting men to go to the obstetrician, anyway.

 

[Bubba]

Gender specific practice/specialty?

So why did we fight against the men's only gyms and golf courses, etc?

We who. Good luck getting men to go to the obstetrician, anyway.

Yeah, I didn't fight any men's only gyms or golf courses. They can have them as far as I'm concerned. I don't have any plans on trying to infiltrate the Free Masons or the Lions club or Knights of Pythius any time soon. That's why they have Eastern Stars and Lady Lions, they are separate clubs, for women only. I see nothing wrong with men's only as long as we're allowed to have "women's only". I personally wouldn't want my women's only gym being invaded by men. Sort of defeats the purpose. What if a woman who was a victim of a sexual assult was sitting in the waiting room of a "women's only" counseling center, and a bunch of men walked in and sat down? That woman might completely freak out if she's in the early seforum.xxxes of her recovery. So what is wrong with giving her a safe haven where she can be sure she won't have to deal with such things? Just and example.

Its positively ridiculous to think that a professional can't specialize in the specific "needs" of a particular sect of the population, because its discrimination. If I were having fertility issues or menstrual problems and wanted to see a bodyworker who deals with such things, I would feel much more comfortable with a therapist who has honed their skills by working with those particular issues. Part of honing ones skills is through experience, so if that practitioner were to work with "women only" I could trust that he or she is very experienced in those specific areas of practice, rather than a practitioner who works on men, women, dog, cats whatever, just kind of a jack of all trades, master of none. I wouldn't got to a men's urologist for a gynecological exam? When I was having issues with ovarian cysts, I didn't continue to see my General Practitioner, I sought out the expertise of an OBGYN, and guess what!! He only sees women! Because as far as I know, men don't have ovaries!

Why else would the specialized training in these areas exsist then? Why take a class in fertility massage or maternity massage, pre and post natal and massage birth assisting? Are the men going to scream discrimination because they can't get maternity massages too?

 

[lollipopsucker]

Gender specific practice/specialty?

Actually here in the states, women HAVE fought to open up men's only establishments. I use to work at a female only fitness center and have an attorney friend who said any attorney could take the gym to court and require them to open to men and women.

As for the hospital that someone mentioned is women only.... I doubt that. Yes, they specialize in female medical issues but to say female only is wrong. That is saying that the female clients can't bring their husbands along with them.

Just my two cents.

 

[Claire Bear!]

Gender specific practice/specialty?

Actually here in the states, women HAVE fought to open up men's only establishments. I use to work at a female only fitness center and have an attorney friend who said any attorney could take the gym to court and require them to open to men and women.

As for the hospital that someone mentioned is women only.... I doubt that. Yes, they specialize in female medical issues but to say female only is wrong. That is saying that the female clients can't bring their husbands along with them.

Just my two cents.

We're really talking about specializing in issues that are exclusive to women, there is nothing illegal about that. As far as I know I have yet to meet a man with severe menstrual cramps. :undecided: Darn. I don't really know where this feminist argument came from, not really relevant to the topic at hand in the first place.

But as far as women bringing their husband's along. My dance instructor does not allow husbands to visit their wives in the dance studio, not even her own. I guess she can keep up this policy until someone sees the need to sue her.

 

[Luke T]

Gender specific practice/specialty?

A dance studio and a hospital facility are two different things. I can't imagine a hospital not allowing husbands to enter with their wives. If that is the case, I would be very amazed.