Do I feel uncomfortable massaging men? The short answer is NO. For the same reason whey male doctors don't feel uncomfortable examining genitals or doing rectal exams. It is human anatomy, science and what we've been trained to do. I can even work right up to the muscle attachments without a problem. Occasionally erections "pop up" and that is not a problem... again it is part of normal physiology. The only time I feel uncomfortable is on the rare occasion when a client starts making overt sexual advances. But I handle that professionally, as well.
As for the other question about a male therapist being nurturing to another man. That's easy... I put myself in the mindset of a healer, giving unconditional love. My clients are very surprised after an initial session, just how relaxed and comfortable they are with me. The second session is even better because they are more relaxed.
Feb 01, 2011 Rating
Have you ever worked in a bank? by: Colin
? or a similar cashier job where you're handling large amounts of money most of the day, every day?
If you have, then haven't you just held those wads of cash up to your nose and smelt them, dreaming of the luxury car or holiday it could buy you?
Of course not! You're a professional and you do what you're paid to do - well - and keep your personal life separate. Anyone who works in this capacity will tell you that it's just paper and figures at work, but when you draw a out a couple of hundred from he ATM, for a weekend break or shopping trip, then it's different.
With massage it's just the same. The client presents with his/her requirements (in terms of a sore shoulder or just wanting to relax) and, as therapists, it's our role to achieve that in a professional manner. Were not thinking "omg, s/he's so fit, should I try and get a date?" just as the bank teller's mouth doesn't water when you make a deposit of several thousands!
Sep 18, 2010 Rating
You said it John ! by: Todd L.
I really do feel the same way you do. The Universe will deliver what we focus on and what attention we give a certain thought or feeling.
It is OUR WORK that defines the clientel we get and the amount of, not our gender. Thanks for sharing and for the positive reassuring reminders.
Much success to you.
Sep 18, 2010 Rating
Massage is massage by: John C.
In a therapeutic setting a body is a body.
If you find abunch of mind chatter going on about gender-specific issues, it's high time you look into your own boundaries and resolve those issues.
I began working in the music industry as an on-tour massage therapist to a band of very non-gay guys. No problems there.
Then I worked for about 8 years for an executive health club in Northern California. My clientele was approximately 50/50 as far as the gender parity issue went.
I then converted nearly 100 of my longtime clients from that venue to my private house-call practice.
That went great until I moved to India in 2005.
The main message here is that it's your work that will create your clientele. Not your gender.
Yes, there are dominant paradigms and perceptions proliferating in the culture, but as with everything...our perception, our imagination, our thoughts and our resuting vibration creates our experience.
If we keep thinking how rough it is to be a guy in female-dominated industry, the Universe will be only too happy to provide us with substantiating evidence for our opinion/thoughts...
And, since every thought we think creates a neurochemical which results in a physiological response and hence a specific chemical/pheromonal radiation, we could literally repel people in our presence with the correct thought content...
So, think about it...as Henry Ford once said, "If you think you can't. You're right. If you think you can, you're right."
Peace
John C. =0)
Jun 17, 2010 Rating
I agree by: Eric in Montana
I agree with everything Raul has said above. My state (Montana), as I've mentioned in other posts, is VERY behind the times with massage. There are countless redneck/white-trash people here that keep alive the idea of massage as either homosexual and/or prostitutional. If you don't believe me, try looking up a Massage Envy or Elements franchise ANYWHERE in Montana. Or Google "Tokyo Massage in Great Falls" and read some of the reviews. Pathetic!!
HOWEVER, having said/ranted that, I've found in my own practice over the last 5 years here that although my client genders still outweigh each other (4 females to 1 male) on average, that's actually changed quite a bit from when I started when it was 10 or more F to 1 M! But, back then I worked at a spa that tried to cater mostly to rich tourists and was obviously a "girls club". Lots of "Foo-Foo" massage sessions there, as you can imagine (yuck!).
But having said that, I have to admit that out of the male clients I worked with there, almost all have become regulars and followed me on to other places since. Most of these guys are retired/semi-retired athletes or younger car-crash victims with specific injury issues. In other words, they've all had their surgeries and drug therapies and nothing but massage works for them for pain and scar tissue issues anymore.
It's funny how you brought up the inner-thigh (adductor!!) and glute issue, because these are the #1 places that any semi-retired skier or tennis player needs work on due to the fact that those sports put specific stress (and therefore injuries) there. In fact, one guy started seeing me because the girls at my old spa used to turn him down for requesting adductor & glute work thinking he was trying to get busy with them even though he was 100% legit. I still work on him every other Monday.
I had (and have) no problem working on the scar tissue breakdown in those areas for him which I believe now has resulted in him not needing additional surgeries in those areas. In fact, in working with just him (and one other skier lady) I've acquired adductor and glute therapy techniques that pale in comparison to anything I learned in school. I always tell them that I owe THEM money for saving me having to drive to Spokane or Seattle and spending over $200 on an adductor/glute seminar!
SO, point being, for as much as I complain about being turned down by clients and employers for my gender, most times I've been requested for being male almost as many times as I've been turned down for being so. Or at least I'd like to think...
May 16, 2010 Rating
Male Therapist by: Todd
We as male Massage Therapist should be in the mindset that we are just that Massage Therapist, providing a Therapeutic service to man kind, men and women. WE are providing a healing touch to the world, to bring wholeness, balance and healing.
If another man has issues within themselves about massaging another man, they should look deep inside themselves and question why they are having these feelings...if we as male massage therapist are truly performing professional therapeitic bodywork, we should have no second thoughts or issues working on another man.
You can work on the gluteal muscles, inner thigh muscles, and if you are properly draping and performing proper massage techniques, there should not be an issue period. WE are taught in school how to handle if someone does get aroused.
If a client is in for true healing and bodywork, they will understand and stick to professional client and therapist boundries.
Apr 19, 2010 Rating
Males massaging males by: Anonymous
I have decided not to pursue the LMT program, It's a big investment for a bleak earning. I heard plenty how males are descriminated in the profession. Most salons won't even hire them, as both men and women prefer to be massaged by other women.
On the otherhand I prefer to be massaged by a male, as he is usually stronger and can manipulate my body better then a female as I'm a thickly muscled guy.
I still enjoy giving massages to any who ask for one, I have a table, I don't charge $$$, and most people would never know I'm not licensed. I have a very intuitive touch. I just love giving them. I get to chose who I massage as well. If I was licensed and employed I wouldn't be able to say no to the fatties and bad skin clients.
Apr 15, 2010 Rating
male lmts massaging other men by: Raul A. DeLaRosa
Good question, and i applaud you for your bravery and honesty. Out of curiosity, are you a male lmt student or a male thinking about being an lmt? the reason i ask is because the question is geared in a way that seems that is a possibility.
Now onto your question, a male lmt when they are in massage school learns to work on both men and women, although i have found more practice of working on men in the clinical setting im in now. I consider myself to be a very straight male, although my nuturing touch has made some possibly think i may be gay. Many will have that mentality that if you are a massage therapist and are a man that automatically you must be gay.
I even saw this stereotype in a movie where a woman was getting massaged by a male lmt and he happened to mention his 'husband'. Hollywood,the media,and unfortunately some folks will think this no matter what.
That being said, i have worked on men doing full body massage,though its rare that happens. I usually have men come to me for pain management/triggerpoint/myofascial problems that need addressing. I think that massage is massage, surely some will sexualize it or be afraid to get a massage from a man for if it feels good then what does that say about them for enjoying it? All in all, education about the therapeutic benefits of massage and men in the business is key if we as male massage therapists are to help the public change their mind about professional male massage therapist.
