What is inappropriate for a massage therapist to do?

Author: Itzel Jaskolski  |  Last update: Wednesday, October 8, 2025

All massage therapy experiences should be provided in a safe, comfortable and trusting environment. No one should ever do anything to your body that you have not given permission for. A therapist should never be sexual in any way with a client.

What is considered inappropriate during a massage?

Unwanted Touching: Any contact that feels inappropriate or goes beyond what is necessary for the massage. This includes touching private areas without explicit consent. Suggestive Comments: Making remarks that are sexual in nature or comments that make you feel uneasy or objectified.

What can a massage therapist not do?

Signs that your massage therapist may be doing something wrong include: 1. Ignoring your requests or boundaries. 2. Applying excessive pressure without your consent. 3. Making inappropriate comments or gestures. 4. Failing to maintain proper hygiene or sanitation practices. 5.

Is it normal to release during massage therapist?

This is very common and nothing to be concerned about. Some people will actually start crying or have an emotional release from a massage. It has happened a few times in my career and only once did the client want to end the session because of it.

Can a massage therapist massage the groin area?

Professional massage therapists adhere to strict ethical and professional boundaries. Massaging the groin area is generally considered inappropriate and outside the scope of a therapeutic massage. Any discomfort or unease in this regard should be communicated to the therapist immediately.

Massage therapist shares tips for staying safe on the job

What areas are off limits during a massage?

These include direct manipulation of the spine, the front of the neck, and any visibly injured or inflamed areas.

Where should a massage therapist not touch?

Never touch the client's genitals or anus. Clients can only provide explicit consent to have their genital area and gluteal cleft exposed for the purpose of Massage Therapy during childbirth.

Do massage therapists do inner thigh massages?

The area of the upper inner thigh, either in front or back, is an area that is also rarely touched. More specifically, the therapist never works within two to three inches of the genital area at the inner thigh, as doing so may evoke sexual stimulation, fear or both.

Is it OK to touch your massage therapist?

No. Please don't touch us. unless you are deaf and that's how you communicate. If that is the case then we can discuss beforehand that a light tap signals too much pressure and two taps means more pressure, or whatever we can agree on is an appropriate way to express yourself during a massage.

Do you have to turn over during a massage?

During the massage, your therapist is likely to ask you to turn over. For example, when they have finished working on your back and are now ready to begin working on your arms or front of your legs. Your therapist will inform you what is about to happen.

What are red flags in massage therapy?

One of the first red flags in a massage session is a lack of communication. If the therapist doesn't take the time to ask about your pain points or preferences before starting, that's a sign of trouble.

Can a massage therapist sleep with a client?

Sexual contact of any kind between a therapist and a client is unethical and illegal in the State of California.

Can I ask my massage therapist to massage my breasts?

Therapeutic, full chest and breast massage to support wellness and/or as treatment for medical conditions is currently legal in about 75% of the states within the USA. Breast massage used only to treat medical conditions is legal in several additional states. The client must consent to this treatment.

What body parts should not be massaged?

These are areas of the body where deep, sustained pressure should be avoided because of the structures that lie beneath. Those areas are the anterior and posterior triangles of the neck, suprasternal notch, sternum, axilla, spinal column, umbilical area, inguinal triangle, popliteal fossa, and the antecubital fossa.

Is full body sensual massage illegal?

But seriously, yes. California is not one of the states that permits erotic massage as a profession. Nevada is certainly warmer than Germany, but it's not beach front property.

Can a massage therapist date a patient?

Commitment to Personal and Professional Boundaries

I will not date a client, engage in sexual intercourse with a client, or allow any level of sexual impropriety (behavior or language) from clients or myself, whether consensual or otherwise.

Can a massage therapist massage the groin?

No worries, your therapist can easily work over the sheet to get to these pesky problem areas. Groin & pelvic pain can stick around for quite some time, so I would always suggest at least three or more sessions of massage to make a difference.

Do massage therapists do prostate massages?

Most regular massage therapists do not offer prostate massage, but you might be able to find a certified prostate massage therapist to work with. You may also want to look for someone who is trained in tantric sex practices to do prostate massage.

What to do if a massage therapist is inappropriate?

If the inappropriate behavior continues, stop the session immediately. Ask the therapist to leave the room so you can get dressed. Report the incident. File an official report with the massage therapy organization before you leave.

What is not okay during a massage?

Removing too much clothing can create an uncomfortable situation for both you and your massage therapist. Another important thing to avoid during a massage is making noises. Sometimes when massages feel very good, or very intense, we start to make noises unknowingly.

What happens at a Lomi Lomi massage?

A traditional Lomilomi body massage will be an hour or more and will involve long flowing strokes all over your body. Your massage therapist will also use gentle stretches to release tension and improve flexibility. The goal is to create an environment where your body, mind and soul can be in sync and relaxed.

What are the massage sensitive areas?

A “sensitive area” includes any one of the following: chest wall musculature, the breast, upper inner thigh, and gluteal region. According to the College, touching of the genital or anal area is never clinically indicated, and would always amount to sexual abuse of a patient.

Where do they touch in a full body massage?

During your massage, your therapist will typically begin by massaging your back and shoulders; for this, you'll need to be laying down comfortably on your stomach. Then, the therapist will massage your legs and feet, (and your glutes if this has been agreed to) before proceeding to massage the arms.

What not to do with your massage therapist?

Here are some examples of what you, as the client, should never do! :
  • Don't joke if this is a “happy ending" massage or make any sexual comments. ...
  • Don't get sexually excited, it's inappropriate. ...
  • Don't break wind. ...
  • Avoid talking too much. ...
  • Don't use your phone. ...
  • Don't be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Can I ask out my masseuse?

Is it unprofessional or unwise to ask your massage therapist out? It's not unprofessional, because you (the client) have no professional duty to them. However, it's most likely unwise.

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