Massage Therapy

[DMills]

I am curious what your thoughts and/or experiences are with full body massage therapy? I have been going to a chiropractor for a while now to be treated for some back and leg pain. That treatment has been somewhat helpful but I am still rather stiff and sore a lot of the time. Recently my chiropractor recommended me to a massage therapist for more extensive help at loosening up my stiff muscles. It would be a Swedish massage which is done with your clothes off but only the area being massaged is uncovered while the rest is covered by a blanket and of course there is no massaging or exposing of the private areas. I would really like to try out this therapy. However, I am a man and the massage therapist I am referred to is a woman and I am wondering what your thoughts are on the ethics of this type of treatment by an opposite sex person.

[Soloist]

just a quick reply...

Not a chance. I'd even feel uneasy with the same sex doing it.

[JimFoxvog]

I find massage therapy helpful and have a little training in doing it myself.

I always have my wife with me if I am being massaged by a woman or massaging a woman. It's not a sexual thing at all, but this seems a reasonable precaution.

[Grace]

I injured my shoulder muscles a few years ago and went to see a massage therapist to loosen up those muscles. Seeing a massage therapist improved the problem greatly. I do not view being treated by a professional massage therapist any different than being treated by a medical doctor, gynecologist, chiropractor, etc. whether they are male or female.

[Neto]

I have been in the hospital several times in my life, where female nurses could see "everything". Before the first time, I thought I would be really embarrassed, but I was in too much pain to even think about it. I think, however, that the difference with Massage Therapy is that the term has sometimes been used as a cover for prostitution, which creates a negative connotation for the entire industry. I think that if as a matter of course precautions were taken by the industry similar to that of doctors (where there is always another person in the room when any type of undress is required) - that could really help diminish the negative stigma. Proper licensing of the therapist would also go a long way.

[QuietlyListening]

I agree with what others said - if you take precautions, even to having your wife present or whatever you are most comfortable with it should be fine. If you are still uncomfortable with that you could try acupuncture- it isn't the same obviously but has done a lot for me in helping to loosen some very stiff muscles along with other problems. Just another option if you are uncomfortable with massage.

[Wayne in Maine]

Why would you not use a conventional Physical Therapist?

[Somebody]

We have had massage therapy. It has been very beneficial for relaxing those tight muscles. Also have the spouse take note of how its done and you can use it at home yourselves.

[Grace]

Why would you not use a conventional Physical Therapist?

Many times physical therapy uses exercises and strengthening techniques to help a problem. However if a muscle is injured and is tightened up, exercise only exacerbates the problem. I tried physical therapy for my shoulder and it got worse. It was only when the massage therapist got into those muscles with deep tissue massages, those muscles loosened up and began to heal. I needed to go three times a week at the beginning.

[steve-in-kville]

I agree with what others said - if you take precautions, even to having your wife present or whatever you are most comfortable with it should be fine.

This would be my mindset. Take some precautions. I know of many a married man that got himself in trouble with this stuff, though.