QuestionQUESTION: Over the last year I've have been going for massage therapy because of chronic low back pain. The last 7 months I've been going to the same therapist. She does a great job. I think she's gotten more and more comfortable with me as a client. I've noticed that each time I go she uncovers a bit more of area. For example, 6 visits ago she would first only uncover my calf, then the thigh then half my butt cheek and would leave it there. The last few times she just goes ahead and basically uncovers my whole leg and butt cheek. She also works pretty freely with my whole butt cheek now while before she would "reserve" a bit. Also, before, she would use her elbows mainly while now she uses mostly her hands. Same thing for when she works the top. She now uncovers most of my butt and works a lot on it and the low back. She also rests with one arm on my butt while she works my lower and mid back. And, finally, I feel that the way the massage flows used to be much more "therapeutic" before. She still does work had on pressure points and all that, but the flow feels more "natural" and relaxing than it used to be.
Believe me, I'm not complaining as she's never insinuated to me or anything like that, when the lights are on she's very respectful and all. Now, I just wanted to know if you think this is normal. Again, I enjoy it as it relaxes me a lot, I can't lie and say it doesn't feel sensual and nice and of course I've loosen myself up in terms of feeling familiar with her.
What prompted me to ask this question was that I recently had to go to a different therapist. She pretty much uncovered as little as possible, rarely rested her arm anywhere to treat me and when she worked on my butt she did only kind of half of it.
So, it reminded me how my regular therapist started and where we are at now.
What do you think? Is this normal? Is it normal with my being a regular patient? (She's probably treated me around 20 times).
ANSWER: I have a very long answer for your question. But to cut to the chase i will say one thing. By your question, you seem to be a bit uncomfortable with where your sessions are going with this therapist. You need to feel fully comfortable with your treatment to get the maximum results you are seeking from this therapist. It doesnt matter if I FEEL its appropriate. You are the only person that matters in this situation. Even if 100 people tell you its 'normal' , you are still the ultimate decision maker. Go with your true fellings about whether you are too uncomfortable, and if so, move on to another therapist. I hope this helps you. Thank you for your email. I appreciate your trust.
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QUESTION: Thanks for your response. I'll try to keep it short this time. I haven't felt uncomfortable so far. If I could break it down to two questions:
- Is it common for a therapist to rest her arm on a patient's butt as she works on the back?
- Is it normal for her a therapist to get more comfortable with a long term patient?
Thanks again!!
AnswerThanks for your follow up question. I appreciate you wanting more info. I know you think that my answer should be a yes or no answer. I wish i could be that black and white, and its probably frustrating on your end because you dont understand the dynamics of massage therapy. The thing is... Although it may seem easy, there is alot of training and skill that go into massage therapy.
There are alot of 'body mechanics' involved in different types of massage therapy. Meaning...she could be resting her arm on your glutes because she's tired/lazy/not using good body mechanics OR she may be doing it because she is genuinely trying to access your glute muscles. To firmly answer you, I would have to know 1-the therapy she is conducting, 2-which direction her body is facing, 3-if her arm is on you or if her hand is on you 4-which muscle group she is attempting to access 5- so many other variables. ANY other massage therapist that answers you a direct NO! Or YES! To your question without knowing all of these answers is doing you injustice and giving you wrong information. And you cant give me a firm answer to all of these because youre face down.
So taking all of this into consideration..... My answer to your question goes back to what i originally said ' are YOU uncomfortable with her treatment? '
If not, then continue...if so find another therapist. Youre the only person that matters. :-)
