The recipients view

[Average Mike]

Most threads on this forum have been written by therapists seking advice or expressing views about this problem or that situation. Or this style against that style - but from the therapists view.

All perfectly valid but how about some views from the recipients - therapists join in but as a recipient (you do get the occassional massage yourself I presume), or perhaps asking us customers what we prefer.

Lets have all the old thorny ones, draping, glutes, abdomen ? Do you prefer a therapist of the same or opposite sex ? What is all this about red flags, I will certainly ask a new therapist what is included in a "whole body massage" why should that alarm you ? And new issues !

What do the recipients think of the various threads on this forum expressing (mainly) therapists views.

Is massage a sensual experience ?

What styles of massage have you had, which are the best, in what respect ?

Speaking for myself - yes I think massage is definitely a sensual experience, I have had Thai (clothed and unclothed), Swedish, Lomi Lomi (2 and 4 hands), Chavutti Thirumal, Aruvedic (I think), reflexolgy, Indian Head- of this bunch, some involved draping and some excluded it unless specificially requested.

I have had massges that are so blooming modest that the legs ended just above the knees, and glutes and abdomen were excluded and others which covered all but my pelvic area - and I now only go for a proper full body massage, or do not return if short changed.

Lets hear from all the massage clientsout there (occassional or junkies) or therapists but as the recipients please, or seeking the recipientsviews.

What have your massage experiences and problems and concerns been ?

 

[Alayna]

OK, I will try to answer some of your questions. I am a 34 year old male, who was very shy when I started out getting massage. I've had lightheaded, headache, and digestive problems for many years that doctors have not solved, so I started getting massage as a way of coping with my achiness. I love massages now.

I will only go to female therapists, and preferably under age 70. I feel weird being massaged by someone who could be my grandmother....I would not relax well with a male therapist, nothing against them, of course.

I used to wear my underwear for massages, but now I prefer to go unclothed. It was actually more uncomfortable to have a therapist reaching into your underwear or moving it around than actually being unclothed. Obviously the therapist should drape well, though I prefer a warm sheet rather than some huge, heavy blanket. I do like getting my glutes and abdomen done, but am afraid to ask because I don't want to be put in a red flag type category..so if they offer, I accept.

I've never had Lomi Lomi, but it sounds wonderful. I really kind of have a cross between Swedish and sports massage. I like to relax, but my hamstrings and quads, and even adductors, need a lot of work as they can be problems for me when I am competing athletically. I prefer therapists that do a decent job on your hands and feet (some seem to skip over these). I like a decent amount of lotion as it seems to help me relax more...

Sensual? Well, when I get a massage I close my eyes so I am not looking at the therapist. I just like to try to relax. When working on the glutes, quads, or especiallyabdomen, there is potential for me to get aroused a little, but that is only normal. Overall, there is a sensual aspect to massage but it really doesn't effect me very much and is not something I think about. Not a big deal unless the client makes it one. I'd suspect how much people can be aroused varies by person a lot.

The problems I have had have been therapists not being thorough, skipping over areas, not listening to what you said was bothering you, not using enough lotion. Some therapists just do their routine regardless of where you say you need extra work. I like therapists who are flexible...let you start face up or face down, give you some say the music, etc...I also don't like rooms at gyms or places where there is a lot of noise and places that are busy. Prefer a quiet, more secluded setting....also don't prefer too much light....