Webmaster Note by Sean This was the second half of a very long comment which required 2 parts to allow html coding of all weblinks within. It is recommeded you read the comment entry just below this comment, first, then come back and read this comment. Sorry, sometimes it has to be done this way on long comments with this system.--Sean
I only perform chair massage out in the open or I have a massage chaperone when doing full body massage. Don't trust any of your clients and protect yourself. The stigma of false allegations can ruin your life.
Nov 12, 2009 Rating
Caveats- Part I by: Anonymous
As franchise massage businesses become more common, I think you'll see an increase in false allegations of sexual misconduct, from inappropriate boundaries to intercourse, especially when the massage therapist is male and the client is female.
Educate yourself!
Anytime there are allegations involving something sexual going on in your massage room, you open yourself up to criminal and civil penalties including loss of your reputation, license, career, and even prison time.
In massage practice, you need to pay particular attention to women and (rarely) men that have fibromyalgia or similar somatoform disorders as some of them have co-occuring personality disorders (borderline, histrionic, etc.). You may even want to ask them if they have been treated for such psych disorders or look at their medication list for clues as part of your client intake. In my practice, if they have these diagnoses, I refuse treatment.
WebMaster Note: This comment was too long for one entry into the Content 2.0 system and was divided in to 2 parts to allow html coding into all of the links. Part II is above.
Aug 25, 2009 Rating
Stop doing the opposite sex massages by: James
This is the very reason I stopped doing females. They are totally unpredictable and one leaves one's self open to these kinds of threats. For 15 years now I limit my practice to men only, and have absolutely no problems.
Men are comfortable with men and I much prefer it this way, as my own comfort level with females was never one of total at ease.
Jul 29, 2009 Rating
Welcome to the world of professionals by: Bently100@yahoo.com
When "massage people" decided that they wanted a "profession" with a license that could be taken away due to a complaint or even accused of ethical criminal violations, they entered the world of doctors, dentists, etc. and put a Bull's Eye on their backs.
This is the price of professional respectability, along with expensive "approved schools", yearly CME, and a state board to pay a fee to, malpractice insurance, etc, etc. Drs know the risk they are taking in going into a room alone with a fortune hunter or hysteric. They bring a chaperone in the form of a nurse if there is any physical contact other then a tongue blade.
Short of an assistant(to chaperone,taking notes for EVERY client to be really safe),you might openly discuss these issues with a new client and insist upon setting up a inexpensive camera in the corner where ON FILM the client acknowledges and approves the existance of the camera. This not only provides proof of proper draping (a biggy) but also dissuades the hysteric from having sexual fantasies for later accusations.
It will be explained to the client that they will always be properly covered and that nothing revealing will be on the recording that could embarrass then later.
Short of this, even a minimum wage senior high school girl could be present and taking notes ("tender point 1 inch left of t5 spinus process")just to have someone else there. Female therapists are not immune from these accusations by either sex either.
All of this may sound extreme but it is perfectly normal for a doctor to have an assistant in the room strictly for protection even with an exam less extensive than a full body massage.
Welcome to the world of legal liability and those who would profit by it. The criminal and civil threats are real, lawyers are hungry, and the public has its treacherous members who can make themselves believe anything for a dollar. Protect yourself before these issues can materialize to ruin your life.
No, I have never had a problem of this nature, but my sister is a lawyer who gave me great advice that over the years has proven to be right on when I see other professionals accused and convicted but perhaps innocent.
Mar 06, 2009 Rating
:( by: Anonymous
That is why I gave up doing massage full time. I have a few close clients and plenty of other therapists and that's fine with me.
Feb 19, 2009 Rating
Calm, Cool, Collected by: Sean
I wrote a response to this question, but it was too long for submission into the comments section.
