Abdominal Massage?

[Rhianna]

Hi Everyone,

What is everyones views on abdominal massage on clients of the opposite sex? Do you think it is just a best practice? Do you think it is ok providing the client has signed a specific consent and you are happy as the therapist to procede?

Thanks for your views

mat

 

[SimLuciaau]

My massage tutor taught us that many people were sensitive about abdominal massage. That's not my experience: I've never massaged anyone yet who refused, and many positively enjoy it.
Mind you, the tutor also said women should avoid massaging men's abdomens, but never mentioned it again as we all, men and women,carried on merrily massaging each other's abdomens!

 

[NYgirl]

Thanks Nick

I would agree, on my course we were told this, I brought this up in conversation withsome of the ladies on the course (which it had washed over their heads) on the last day when we had been working on each other all week ( I was the only man on the course with 9 ladies) they said that they can not see anything wrong with that and that they are not uncomfortable in that area physically or otherwise and likewise it does not bother me.

Tome a proper consultation should flag up any issues by which time you as a therapist could make any judgmentswith the client and decide whetherYOU feel comfortable, and naturally you would consult them on which areas they want you to work on.

 

[bderkuegibliyuegx]

I don't think this is a big deal and it's more a personal preference matter.

For table work, I generally do not massage the abdomen, male or female,unless the client's complaints indicate it would be helpful orthey have speficically requested it. This is due to wanting to make the most of the time we have rather thanconcern abouta remotepossibility of sexual arousal.

For Thai work, the abdomen is always respectfully attended to, whether we have one hour or two for the session. Because it is such a sensitive area and the seat of our power, I quietly let the client know what to expect before Ibegin.

I really think that the more we worry about sex and "what if??", the more we increase the possibility that something we don't want in our treatment roomwill happen...because that's what we're focusing our energies on. Be sensible inyour selection of clients, do what elements of massage that you are comfortable with, and don't worry about the rest.

 

[Observer412]

As a male client, abdominal massage is a frustrating issue. Why? First off, I have digestive problems that I've had for five or six years, and have been to all sorts of doctors for. To make a long story short, I get constipated and have some form of IBS. Even more than that, I believe that I hold tension in my stomach (get upset stomachs sometimes), and the few times I've had abdominal massage, I've enjoyed it very much!

That being said, I'm terrified to ever ask for it, because I feel that a female therapist would lump me somehow into a "red flag" client if I did ask. Almost likethey would be worried about me asking something sexual. So Ijust tell them my digestive symptoms and if theyoffer, they offer, and I accept. Of probably 10 or 11 femaletherapists I've been to for full body massages, only two have ever offered it. Most, unfortunately, don't, because I guess they are afraid of posssibly arousing a male client. If the client isn't making any improper actions or saying anything, I don't see why it even matters...as long as there is no action on the client's part.

 

[GoremotsGop]

Hi ace88[/align][/align]If you are going to a massage therapist to get help with you digestive disorders, then firstly you must talk about this during the consultation process, and secondly they should be addressing the problem and helping you, that is after all what you are paying them for.[/align][/align]I would suggest you contact a remedial or sports injury typemassagetherapist whoshould be professional enough not have hang-ups about giving youabdominal massage.[/align]

 

[KelleyEndota]

I must be naiive, as I didn't realise this was such a big issue!

I routinely ask all clients booked for a full body massage if they would like me to include their abdomen - some want it done, most don't. Women that have had children are more self-concious about it, but I can do some abdo work through a towel, so its not such an issue for them. In fact I recently massaged a therapist, and asked if she would like her abdomen massaged. She said she never offers unless it is an area they have trouble in, and she had never considered doing moves over a towel before.

I think a lot of it depends on what you were taught.

One of the treatments offered once you are a No Hands Advanced practitioner is a colon massage - which is basically an abdominal massage in its own right.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Hi Trow[/align][/align]I think you might have hit the nail on the head, we where taught to do different forms of abdominal massage to treat different dysfunctions.[/align][/align]I really don't know howanyone can call a full body massage that if you don't do an abdominal massage, if people do not want areas of their body doing then they simply don't request a full body treatment but have a shorter treatment to cover the areas they require.[/align]

 

[weasa]

I agree with you Trow- and am personally looking forward to offering the colon treatment for clients who have IBS or other digestive problems. I do tend to offer stomach massage and haven't had any problems. It depends on the person, some people are just very self-conscious and I totally respect their comfort and privacy as a client.

I was taught to not massage the abdomen of men in case they get aroused or embarrassed, I don't think the techniques I use are ones which a man would find stimulating in that way so have never had a need to exert overcaution. I also find that women who have had children are the least likely to want abdominal massage. But then I was taught not to massage the buttocks or sciatic region in my original course - I think it's important to be taught these things and execute them with respect for the client. I guess we all act within our own comfort levels and what we think is right for the client.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Hi Paul

I agree that if you do not at least offer to treat each area of the bodyyou are not providing a full body masage as you were trained anyway.

I am begining to come around to practicemetta's way of thinking that it is just a personal preference matter.

 

[coopyey]

Yes, unfortunately clients wanting more than massage will use the phrase "ab work" or be persistent about wanting a lot of such work--it's all in how you ask and why you want it. You need to be aware that you may need to book more than an hour to include it (or have other areas glossed over to make up the time within a one-hour session) and that the therapist may choose to work through the sheet or clothing rather than skin-to-skin. Booking a session to include abdominal massage should not be a difficulty if Ace88 lets his therapist know upfront that he has bowel issues (and specifically what, so the therapist can plan time accordingly) and that massage has been helpful for it.

So long as the client is not doing or saying anything inappropriate and/or sexuallysuggestive, or trying to shift the drape to expose the pubic area, or otherwise doing the the very things that maketherapists suspicious of the real reason for the request, then continuing to book and receive legitimate abdominal work should never be a problem.

 

[Naomi C]

Massage on the tummy can be really nice.

In terms of sleaze, I found both males and females can abuse this, but I would never withdraw the service to everyone just because of a tiny minority that want more than just a massage. I am lucky though that where I practise there is always someone else nearby.

I offer abdominal massage whenever appropriate; ie when the client has enough time and wants a full body massage rather than concentrating on eg back and legs.

 

[ffenbuedinbicnejr]

I love the abdomen massage - both giving and receiving, to all clients. I also offer a specific half hour colon massage which is really popular with some clients. If your giving a client an abdomen massage and your too focused on worrying if the client is going to get turned on and have a stiffy then the quality of the massage will suffer greatly, I wouldn't want that massage.

Yes the abdomen can be very intimate, and for me that is what makes it such a great massage to be able to offer! The trust that goes from client to therapist and back is soo powerful - and very rewarding.

Mat

 

[bxhrtanq]

I never realised that massaging the abdomen can create arousal. Nothing was said about this on my VTCT course at college, the only place we were told not to massage on a male client was the thigh and above the knee when the client is face up. We were all a bit shy,during practicals,about having our tummies massaged at first, with the usual hang-ups about flab, stretch marks etc and for this reason alone I always check whether the client is comfortable about exposing their tum.

After reading a few posts on here about the pitfalls of offering massage to the opposite sex (in my case males), I'm feeling more than a bit reticent about this aspect of my, newly launched, business as a mobile therapist and do not want to put myself in an embarrasing, or potentially dangerous, situation.

 

[JoKTM]

Hi Calmer[/align][/align]I have never had a problem doing abdominal massage and I always include it in a full body unless someone specifically asks me to omit it, it is all down to howwe present ourselves and howweperform themassage which sets the scene for the treatment, you should not have to miss out half the body to feel safe, that is not what people are payingus to do.[/align][/align]Personally I do not have any hang-ups about massage, one part of the body is much the same as the rest, please remember it is not the skinwe are massaging but the underlying muscular structure that massage affects, ifwe where toomit a persons leg above the knee to the thighthen we would not be able to address a lot of muscular issues.[/align][/align]I really don't know what they are teaching these days about massage,if I put together all the bits that are being omitted in the classrooms then there would not be a lot left to massage.[/align]

 

[Gary D]

Hi there this is an interesting thread. We too were told not to massage the abdomen on a man which I have always found to be a bit strange really as surely it's part of a man's body too??!! I always whether people want the abdomen massaging as some people are quite sensitive of their flab and scars etc. I have found that it is mostly women who don't want their abdomen massaging and not always the larger/post children ladies either. I agree that it has to be offered as part of the whole massage. Women allways seem to be sensitive about 'flab' but as I explain to them, I don't look or judge their 'flab', I just massage them!

Strange though Calmer that you were told not to massage above the knee? As Paul said, that's a lot of muscle not to be massaging?

Am interested in the mentioned No Hands Massage and the colon massage. Any more information on this please. Thanks.

 

[slacker]

I am beginning to quietly question (to myself) the purpose of training to be a massage therapist without being able/instructed to cover the whole body. Why leave out major muscle groups just because of 'modesty'? I have done courses in both Europe and the US - I left one course in the US on the first day, having been asked by the dippy instructor "Is any student menstruating today? If you are, please do not treat, as this will transfer menopoison".
I would hope that anyone in this business is professional enough to be able to offer a full treatment - including abs.

 

[pseudopods]

I'm astonished that a VTCT tutor apparently told 'calmer' not to massage above the knee !? In other words, the tutor apparently treats the whole of the quadriceps as a 'taboo area' !? If that is the case, any runners who come for a treatment are going to be very disappointed !

Alan

 

[Solo Style]

I have been following this thread with interest as i am due to start a VTCT massage course this in a few weeks. Would i be wise to ignore the tutor if they do advisenot to massage a male above the knee? It seems a bit silly to leave out a big muscle group like that.

Also, Jabba, what is menopoison? I have never heard of that before, and i can't think of any reason why you would not be able to receive a massage if you are menstruating. You were right to walk out! Sounds like a quack to me!

Kate x

 

[genisjose]

I also asked the question, shortly before I left the building... apparently "women secrete menopoison throughthier pores whenthey are menstruating, which can cause the 'receiver' to absorb toxins"....... give me strength!
I went straight to a local bar, so that a couple of hours later I was probably secreting 70 percent proof!!!
I heard quite a few wacky things doing various courses on the other side of the Pond....