This July, I join with other Associated Massage and Bodywork Professionals (ABMP) members in celebrating Massage is for EveryBody.
Since opening my office in the Brainerd Lakes Area, I have been asked multiple times if I see male clients. The short answer is yes. People of any gender are welcome to schedule a session with me because people of every gender benefit from therapeutic massage. Read on for the long version.
Called to the healing art of massage
I became a massage therapist after hearing Sister Rosalind Gefre, a Catholic nun and a pioneer in massage therapy, speak on the healing power of human touch. This was over 20 years ago, an era where people (in the midwest especially) associated massage more closely with brothels than with healthy living. I became a massage therapist anyway; I felt a calling to the healing art of therapeutic touch.
Education is key
I have chosen to use every instance of misunderstanding an educational opportunity. For anyone reading this who is still unclear on the concept, professional massage (also called therapeutic massage or massage therapy) is a completely non-sexual service. And education works; due to the efforts of professional massage therapists and other healthcare providers, massage therapy is now understood to be a valuable part of routine healthcare, even in Small Town U.S.A.
Persistent confusion in the marketplace
Unfortunately, organized crime continues to advertise “massage” as a front to engage in human trafficking/prostitution. Adding to the confusion, mainstream media and the porn industry continue to create stories which perpetuate the idea that a “professional” massage session might morph into a sexual service. This creates an equity and access problem. The fear that a therapist might try to sexualize a session prevents some people from seeking massage. Conversely, the fear that a client might try to sexualize a session has prompted some therapists to refuse to see male clients. Problem solved. But is it really?
If massage is for everybody…
I maintain, education is key, as is holding accountable those who solicit sexual services under the guise of massage. Accepting clients of all genders, providing education as necessary and, as a last resort, terminating a session and reporting the offender to the authorities is, in my opinion, the way to effect societal change as well as to ensure that all people may benefit from massage. Therefore, regardless of your gender, you may schedule an appointment with me. You can relax knowing your session will be professional, therapeutic, and completely non-sexual.
#massageisforeverybody #equityandinclusion #therapeuticmassage
Radical Self Care 