protecting yourself against accusatios of sexual impropriety

by Jon Anderson
(Cambridge, MN)

I didn't find my ideal profession until I was 58 years old. That's quite a hurdle for any massage therapist. But I am also a male.

I will graduate with honors from Minnesota School of Business in March. My volunteer clients really enjoy their massages and some ask if they can have me again when they come back. It has been a wonderful experience.

The school has a great massage program, great instructors and I have a great deal of respect for my advisor(a woman). But when I began my internship I was told by the office manager in a chiropractors office that I would not be doing any massages because I am a man.

She also told me that in my career I will have women saying that I touched them inappropriately and I should be prepared to be sued. Now, of course, I am very unsure about my future.

Is this a common problem and how does a male therapist protect himself from these accusations?

And how can I give a good massage when I'm worried about legal issues?

I would really appreciate any brutally honest opinions and any reseach, websites or whatever that will help me protect myself.