Things that massage therapists do that annoy you as a client

[Scott Halverson]

Regarding glutes work, I have few clients that just come for glutes/hip release work. Work through a towel feels great and is good for broad introductory or relaxing strokes but not for precise work.

But I agree with Claire that having the underwear pulled down all the way doesn't feel comfortable at all (at least for some of us). The way I deal with this in the prone position is by just uncovering one glute at a time (provided the underwear is flexible enough- and they are not wearing tight cutting thongs). This doesn't feel intrusive at all (at least to the people I have worked with and myself) and it offers the opportunity to do great deep tissue work.

Also for me glute work is most effective on the sidelying position and that is easily manageable without feeling intrusive.

The glutes (and all the deep lateral rotators) play such a massive role on lower back pain and sciatica. It is such a pity that so many practititioners ignore the area!
Happy glutes!
M

 

[Lynd-zeee]

Thanks for the input massagespace! My ITEC teacher didn't even teach us the glutes. I picked up some stuff during my pregnancy massage course!

 

[BettieQueenLuna]

If you use the ‘search’ function, you will find that there have been several previous threads discussing gluteal massage. Personally I agree with a comment with Paul Crick made on one of the earlier threads:



It is useful to be able to massage over a drape if a therapist is likely to work in a semi-public environment (such as doing sports massage at a triathlon or marathon). But personally, as a client, I would be unlikely to book again with a therapist who seemed uncomfortable about massaging the glutes. I’d recommend the Sean Riehl DVD ‘Deep Tissue and Neuromuscular Therapy’ which shows how to drape a client in American style (ie folding the towel diagonally to cover the gluteal cleft).

I am slightly surprised by Claire’s comment



My impression is that the reason most clients keep their underwear on (and why some therapists ask clients is to keep underwear on) is in order to keep the genital region covered. My impression, both from several years reading this forum and from attending CPD courses as a therapist is that there are many therapists who are comfortable with seeing their clients’ buttocks but don’t want to expose their clients’ genitals.

I will try to ‘bounce’’ a couple of the older threads for the benefit of our newer members !

Alan

 

[CymnSueryinee]

I probably made this point in a previous thread, but when I was studying aromatherapy, my tutor (who was younger than me) told us that when she trained, also with ITEC, the glutes were part of the syllabus and they learnt appropriate towel technique. By the time we did the course, they were completely off-limits.

I'm happy to work on the glutes if requested, and occasionally I might suggest it if a client has a specific problem and I think they won't take it the wrong way (after all, think what big powerful muscles the glutes are and the work they have to do!), but otherwise I avoid them, which I think is a bit of a shame.

 

[KristianK]

Sorry Alan D, but why is working the gluts though the towel bad training? There is more to massage than Swedish/Classical! Are you suggesting that Shiatsu, Thai, and Tui-Na practitioners are less sensitive because they work though clothing? In many respects a covered body can tell you as much or even more where the underlying tension is! How is this possible? By the adaption of technique.

As therapists we need to be a bit more open minded when it comes to technique, not just following one type of massage. Massage training in the UK should include clothed techniques as well as oily ones. We are so backward compared to USA & Asia.

Back to the topic, pulling clients underwear down without permission is bad practice. But as been said, working the gluts is an important in many musculo-sketetal (sp) disorders.

One thing I don't like from a therapist is wrapping their fingers around my throat when working the trapezium, yuk!

RP

 

[Aazorz]

I think that students should be taught to massage their clients on the skin before they are taught how to work through drapes or clothing. The main reason for this is to help students to improve their palpation skills. I would agree that an experienced therapist can palpate effectively through a thin drape such as a sheet: but (as we’ve discussed on earlier threads) most UK therapists seem to use thick towels rather than thin sheets for draping, and personally I like a massage to include some long effleurage strokes, which can’t really be applied over clothing.
This is (as I have made clear on an earlier thread where we discussed gluteal massage in more detail) the way in which sports massage was taught at the London School of Sports Massage (where I trained under Mel Cash in 1999). Initially we were taught to massage on bare skin (gluteal massage was included in the second week of the course). Later, when students' palpation skills are more developed, they are taught how to apply massage over clothing, for use at sports events.
I would agree that “pulling clients underwear down without permission is bad practice”. In my view, any therapist offering full body massage should conduct a client consultation before beginning the massage, so that they can ascertain if there any areas the client does not want massaged (some clients don’t want their abdomen or glutes massaged, and many men don’t want their face touched).

Alan

 

[MaeSalgo]

Just to jump in here for anyone who does pull down clients underwear, not only is it bad practice, it is potentially illegal, as was found in a recent court case.

 

[Roger S]

Hi Alan

Glad you had good training, unfortunately a lot don't.

Cheers

RP

 

[PuppyMama]

As Alan has said, surely as long as clients are made aware in advance exactly which areas of the body will be massaged then they should not be shocked or surprised when it comes to accessing the glutes?

I always let my clients know where I massage beforehand, but I also state that this can be adapted to suit their preferences.

We were not taught gluteal massage on my course which I think is a great pity. Everything I've learned about it has been from DVDs, books and the internet. My clients all love the fact that a full body massage from me ACTUALLY means full body (except the genitals, obviously).

In terms of receiving a massage - I've yet to find a therapist (and I've tried several in recent years) who includes the glutes (and I feel too embarrassed to ask in case they think I'm weird!). I for one would be quite happy if they yanked my underwear out the way to get stuck in!! LOL!

Just my tuppence worth!

Kitten
x

 

[Caniac 30]

Hi Kitty ;-)

Good for you for expanding your techniques and continued study!

You are an example for us all!

RP

 

[Lauren B]

I would happily do it if 1) I had the right towelling technique (need to look it up) and 2) I was sure that clients are happy with it. I don't want them to just say ok because they feel they would be weird to refuse. I know I might... Maybe I'm weird!
Anyway, I have never received a massage with proper glutes massage that didn't feel intrusive because the therapist either didn't do it or pulled my pants down and started doing some weird strokes on my glutes... Maybe that's why I am not sure about giving it!

 

[ablogtth]

I tell you now that glut massage is really easy. It's no difficult than any other toweling technique, apart from clients wearing boxer shorts. Even easier, is (as long as the client has good hip flexability, and doesn't have tight abductors) putting the leg into a "froggy" position and massaging the gluts, ITB and TFL all in one go! Many lower back, leg and sciatic probs will just dissolve.

RP

 

[Nasim]

Ok, here's how to do a basic glut massage if client is wearing typical lady's knickers or men's briefs.

Pull the underwear down a couple of inches or more and tuck the towel in. Knead with thumbs or palm the upper gluts.

Disengage the towel and lift underwear up.

Lift underwear buttock line and tuck towel in. Knead gluts.

Then place leg in "froggy position", massage gluts, ITB & TFL.

Bring leg back straight.

Massage the hamstrings, then the calf.

Tip: massage tender (acu/trigger) spots around the lower part of calf and around the ankle & heel. This can reduce tension in the gluts.

Massage back up the leg to the butt. You should find the gluts are looser.

Ease, effective treatment that a lot of colleges don't teach.

RP

 

[hobtpbfx]

Thanks RP! I'll give it a go!

 

[robertwaynehoppus]

Hi Claire,
A good description by Reiki Pixie,however be aware not every guy wears 'briefs' there are other designs men wear, the same for women i wouldn't know what typical ladies knickers are again there are many designs.

Good luck

 

[Rebekah Bailey]

Yeah I was wondering what to do about boxer shorts, which both men and women wear these days! :S

 

[hockeyguy]

Well, if you don't ask, it seems you won't get!

That's some useful advice on technique, but if anyone wears "big pants" - male or female - it's not going to be very satisfactory unless they're prepared to take it off. I once had a couple in, and she asked me to "do my butt", which was fine as she was wearing a thong. The only slight concern was that he was in the bathroom after his massage when she asked - so I was just concerned about whether he knew that she had asked for it... Luckily, by then he was fast asleep!

 

[SomeGirl]

I said in post#32 about the difficulties of boxer shorts.

Anycase, if I have a client with boxer shorts*, I just palm, elbow and forearm roll over that area, then go back to oily massage mode. Simple!

Rp

*with the towel, sheet or sarong on top so the client's thunderpants doesn't get oily ;-)

 

[Soheil Sulimani]

Not sure why we need all the choreography/origami/Heimlich Manoeuvering with towels, boxers, panties, froggie positions and briefs. Sounds exhausting! I think it reflects more about the general attitude of some people to particular aspects of massage than anything else. Whilst not wishing to criticise it because I believe very much in "each to their own", I will only say that I haven't kept my underwear on during a FB massage for years and would not feel comfortable doing so. I always ensure that my glutes are included and avoid therapists who are uncomfortable with this. There are separate issues of draping which seem adequately covered in other threads. I think what is necessary is for therapists and clients to be up front about what they offer so that people are able to choose the right person for them. Then that unwelcome surprise element will be lost!

Have thought of other hates to follow the 10 above:

(1) Leaving mobile phones on during a session;
(2) Worse, answering a mobile phone during a session;
(3) Having the room too cold unless I am thoroughly draped;
(4) Sweating on top of me so that perspiration drops onto my skin;
(5) Massaging with a cold;
(6) Spending 85% of his/her time on my shoulders and upper back to the exclusion of all else;
(7) Claiming to do Reiki when all they do is wave their hands madly in a circular fashion over me for 5 minutes;
(8) Putting so much oil in my hair that I look like I haven't washed it in the last decade;
(9) Having a dirty shower or loo with the treatment room;
(10) Clock watching

 

[Krasic]

Wow!
If I had to give a price for the hardships endured I'd have to give it to Maide Marion:
"Sweating on top of me so that perspiration drops onto my skin"
I can't hardly think of anything more disgusting than that happening when one is laying on a massage couch.
Well done for surviving the trauma Marion!
M