Full Frontal Massage Malarkey

[NurseGladys]

DH booked me in for a pampering massage for my birthday, which I went to today. I'm not sure what I was expecting as I have only had shoulder/back/feet massages (apart from one in China which was a bit too intimate for my liking, but at least I had my clothes on) Anyway I was asked to strip off to knickers and lie face down, turns out it was a full body extravaganza, which I was NOT expecting(had not shaved legs, toenails looked quite minging etc) and she asked me to turn over and massaged my front as well-I could not relax as all I was thinking was 'argh, stop squeezing my cellulite and running your hands over my stubbly legs, woman!!' Then she massaged my jelly belly, which was not pleasant, either.
Tell me I am being unreasonable and that they are used to this and it is all completely normal, as I feel slightly...er...wrong about the whole thing
btw I am not a prude, and it would have been easier if she wasn't a size 6 20-something girl!

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[SuePurblybiltbyElves]

I would hate it. Massages are more like punishment for me. Forced intimacy with strangers - I'm too Margot for that kind of carry-on altogether.

Tell DH to do it himself next time

[Unrulysun]

She has seen it all many times before and while she was massaging you was thinking 'what shall I have for tea tonight? I've got that sauce left but then I'll need to get some pasta and I was going to get off the bus at the last stop...'

[toomuchmonthatendofthemoney]

yes they are "used" to it, yes its normal, yes you are being silly. therapists see all sorts, shapes, sizes, skins. Doesn't matter a hoot if you are shaved, tanned, or varnished. Tis a body, that's all. she will see another 6 or 7 that day and have forgotten about your toenails by teabreak.

[Mumcentreplus]

I'm with you Unruly she has massaged many parts before and yours wont be the first or the last parts...relax and enjoy

[NurseGladys]

sue if only he would give massages, he has to be forced into them with a bar of Lush massage stuff shoved forcefully in his direction
Phew, unrulysun so glad to hear that, was actually feeling sorry for this young girl having to pummel my ageing flesh

[toomuchmonthatendofthemoney]

if hubby books you something again, remember you can phone beforehand to check any details you want to, (and possibly change the treatment to something you prefer, say a back massage and facial, if you give them enough notice).

[nancydrewrockinaroundxmastree]

I hate having my stomach massaged - always ask them not to. 99% of therapists ask if you want them too so I assume it is a common dislike.

Therapists are completely used to all sorts of things and just remember chances are she is a general beauty therapist so when she is not massaging she is filing calloused feet and waxing bumholes. She'll have seen worse.

SO YANBU to dislike it but YABU to think the therapist cared

[NurseGladys]

I have subtly suggested to husband that a facial or pedicure would be just perfect!
nancy waxing bumholes do people have their bumholes waxed???? I have heard of anal bleaching, but anal waxing? Ouch.

[SixtyFootDoll]

ewwwwww
I would hate that

[chrispt]

I'm a massage therapist and although it's not an unusual element in a massage it is always something that should be asked about in the consultation.

"Is there any area you want me to focus on? And are there any areas you'd rather i steer clear of?"

I always inform my client if im moving to a different area and always ask with regards to face, stomach and scalp.

Very important not to impose yourself on someone who may feel vulnerable or uneasy.

[rookiemater]

Oh gosh this is reminding me of awful massage experience I had in Turkey in my 20s, so so stupid, I let the dirty lechy perv fondle my breasts because I was too scared of looking stupid to get him to stop.l Sorry slightly off topic.

[notjustapotforsoup]

I know what you mean, OP, but how shit is it that sone of us have to feel primped and preened just to have a massage?

[NurseGladys]

rookie That's terrible, how awful for you and what a dirty letch

[porcamiseria]

rookie that happened to my mates too at the turkish baths, I avoided as suspected this. minging

[rookiemater]

It was a long time ago NurseGladys, and I look back and think how stupid was I, but I only feel comfortable with a female masseuse now.

A good massage is lovely though, I had a great one for my birthday where she concentrated on the areas that really needed it which was my shoulders. I'm quite tickly and can't stand anything which feels like light stroking or prodding.

[notjustapotforsoup]

You weren't stupid, rookie (and apols, I cross posted). You were assaulted and that is no reflection on you.

[donkeyderby]

sounds like a regular massage. I think they should tell you what they are going to do in advance though. As nurses, we were always taught to tell the patient the proceedure beforehand as it lowers anxiety.

It can't have been worse than the 'massage' I once got in a bathhouse in Marrakesh, where a very large, cross lady in baggy knickers, got me in a headlock and rubbed a loofah between my legs very vigorously

[Unrulysun]

Totally agree rookie - don't feel that you should have done anything differently - he's the one who assaulted you.

dh had a massage in India once where the man put his finger on an exciting pressure point. Have never quite got out of him whether it was actually up his bumhole or not but he proposed that night - whether the two things are connected I don't know.

[helenbalancelife]

I'm a trained massage therapist. It is normal to massage the front and cover areas not being massaging with a towel but would echo chrispt point that you would normally ask in a consultation "are there any areas you'd prefer I didn' work on" and I'd tell them where I was planning to work on and check out if this was ok.

Often in my expereince, beauty therapists who often have much more limited training have been taught set routines and tend to stick to this and do less questioning in the consultation.

Don't feel worried about your stomach and no shaved legs - beleive me you get to see everything and anything as a massage therapist and we really don't care. If my clients tell me they don't have shaved legs I tell them not to worry neither do i!

Please don't let it put you off massage. Instead perhaps have a clothed back massage in a massage chair or an indian head massage in future or go to an ifpa qualified aromatherapist who can use some relaxing oils and will do more consultation to find out what you want beforehand.

[Pannacotta]

I know just what you mean OP I would have hated that too. Having your tummmy massaged is much too personal I think.

The last time I had a massage was when someone kindly arranged and paid for a massage therapist to come to my house, when DS1 was about only a few weeks old. I was asked to strip to knickers and I had an all over massage including my post-baby tummy. I also remember my poor boobs leaking all the way through, as DS was a very regular feeder then.
It put me off massage for life!

[melikalikimaka]

No thank you, I will massage my own bits and pieces, that is a nightmare to me. Having a facial and neck massage was frightening to me. never again. YANBU.


Why, why, why would I get a complete stranger to touch me?

[ByThePowerOfGreyskull]

I go for regular massages at our local thai place, it is fab.
I love the fact that they do front and back without hesitation.

When I was pregnant with DS2, she was fab, she gently massaged my tummy each week throughout the pregnancy, she was as excited about him being born as I was

strange massage in turkey once where chap decided to take the opportunity at the top of my thigh to stick his finger in my fangolina and I was too embarrassed to say anything!

[pippibluestocking]

Same thing happened to me in Turkey, Rookie. Agree that in hindsight you wonder what on earth you were doing agreeing to it but but at the time, you just go with the flow.

[pippibluestocking]

OMG Grey skull - unbelievable! Guess I got away lightly!

[Serenity1]

Silly question, but when u say massage your front,do you mean just stomach, or do they go for breasts too?!
I was bought full massage as present , & would NOT be comfortable with latter!