Refused a massage

[AlPaccacino]

In Corfu currently and booked a full body massage at the hotel, as a treat.

First shock was the rugby player sized beardy bloke waiting for me, but whatever. I can deal with that but it would’ve been nice to have a warning about opposite sex treatments.

Then I had to fill in the medical form. And he refused as I had cancer 13 years ago. Apparently it’s a Greek thing, that he’s not allowed to Which I checked afterwards and it was a total fib.

I’ve had loads of massages since cancer and no one has ever said a thing, and I’ve had physiotherapy massages on my knees and hips as well.

I think he just decided for whatever reason (scars maybe?) he didn’t want to do it.

AIBU when writing my trip advisor report, to drop them a star for this?

I'm not sure about this. I had a massage refused when I was having cancer treatment. Perhaps he was just mistaken?

Have you spoken to the manager, maybe do that before you write the review. That way you are dealing with it directly.

When I was trained in massage years ago I was taught not to massage someone currently with cancer. That does seem to have changed since as I remember it being mentioned as a good thing to do whilst I was undergoing treatment myself a few years ago. It shouldn't be contra-indicated many years later but I suspect he was being over-cautious. Personally I'd speak to the spa manager.

These days people can be sued for anything so maybe he was being cautious.

I was told no massages when I was under investigation for cancer.

It sounds like as pp a translation issue? Am sure masseuse need specialist oncology training if someone has cancer?

13 years later though?

Do you think he misunderstood the 13 years ago? Or misread years for months or something?

I would think someone who does that for a living would be used to scars etc.. I know I was when I did a similar job.

it sounds like it might been a mistake or translation issue and him thinking you have current cancer or more recently??

Translation issue I think.

He made a mistake, needs training. Massage on person with cancer / being investigated for cancer is a no. But years later? Absolutely fine.

Do you have a unisex name? Maybe he was looking for an excuse after seeing you are a woman. It is very unusual for a male to be giving a female a massage unless it the woman was already aware it would be a male.

I would also be inclined to think miscommunication/translation issue, or that he has his knowledge about treatments and cancer muddled.

Could well be to do with their insurance

No translation issue. Spoke very good English and I definitely don’t have a unisex name. He was very definite when I asked, even after 13 years. When I googled the law thing it apparently used to be a thing but updates in later years have shown massage does not cause metastases.
So he probably is out of date in his training etc.
Just peed off as I was looking forward to it.

Why would anyone leave a poor review, speak to a manager or knock stars of ratings for this? It’s a massive sense of entitlement to think other people are obligated to perform services like this against their will or better judgment, whatever their reasoning may be. You’d honestly prefer to have a massage from someone who’s unwilling to do it and doesn’t want to physically touch you? Why should they feel they have to?

Ah well, that will be it. He's just not clear on the newest guidelines.
Never mind -go and book yourself a nice one now you are home!

Complementary therapies are similar to the UK in that they are mostly unregulated. There is no specific law or set of laws around it and practitioners do not need a licence. The problem will be with the insurance company. Greece is world renowned for indulging in random illogical bullshit when it comes to any type of admin, insurance, public service or law office. I haven't lived there for a while and I've heard that it has made progress in this area, but you still need to clear an entire day, pack a lunch, and bring a friend for emotional support when attempting any type of admin.

Don’t see the issue with a bloke doing it.

very good bloke in my area does sports massage and physio and he’s amazing.

you’d be very unreasonable to complain about that.

Because that’s literally what they are being paid for? I wasn’t forcing him to do anything. If I’m paying €90 for a massage then why would he not say that he doesn’t want the money when it is a service offered by the spa/hotel?
Mumsnet really ought to be called Mumsnut sometimes 🙄

I've been told not to have deep tissue massages as I've had cancer. They told me this in oncology. I think it's caution just in case the massage moves stray cancer cells through the lymphatic system and triggers something.

I still have the occasional massage and keep my own counsel.

A massage is personal, and both people involved in it need to feel confident. If the masseuse was wary about treating someone who has had cancer, he did the right thing cancelling it. Different massage therapists have their own way of doing things. It may be that he knew his style wasn’t gentle enough to be suitable for you.

I requested a relaxing massage, not deep tissue massage, as those are bloody painful. It’s what the physio gives me on my hips/thighs and I spend most of the time wincing.

That’s a shame you missed out on a relaxing treatment. Bloody cancer is a bastard. Even once youre ok. I don’t think you should complain when he’s likely thinking hes protecting your health from him spreading dodgy cells round your system (and following the hotels rules on it). Whether it’s true or not. And even though it was years ago.

Like I said perhaps he was mistaken.