Massages

[Sascha Fitzpatrick]

My two cents...

I get a WONDERFUL swedish massage (all over, naked, a towel covers me most of the time - but no genital or breast massage - just butt) once a month from a female at the salon I go to to get waxed, and I get my pap smears from a female doctor - I went to her for my first one - and I just kept going cos I just went 'and people say this is painful - wusses!' She made it SOO easy (and maybe the advice I was given beforehand helped to make it less sore)...

However, I asked my mum about it and she said she'd feel VERY strange about a women touching her breasts or 'down there' for tests, so she always gets the male doctor to do it - known him since I was very little - and my stepdad chimed in and said that he trusts her and the doctor enough to not worry. Plus, my dad said he'd feel weird if a guy was doing it to him, so he'd be a hypocrite to stress about my mum getting a woman, as would my mum is she felt weird about a woman doctor checking my (step)dad.

I find the fact you got your breasts massaged during the session very weird - I have yet to know of a massage therapist who offers this - I asked a massage therapist friend of mine and she said it's not regular practice (at least here in Australia) and that it sounded rather suss. If he was doing your lymph glands, that's not really safe, nor necessary - your doctor should be the one who assesses your lymph glands, as well as yourself when you do your monthly breast check (which should be compulsory IMHO)...

Blessings,

Sasch

ps. When I'm married - the thought of a honeymoon massage with my husband sounds great - there's a place down at Byron Bay (perfect honeymoon location) that includes it in your accomodation as a honeymoon package

 

[brokenbananas]

I find the fact you got your breasts massaged during the session very weird - I have yet to know of a massage therapist who offers this - I asked a massage therapist friend of mine and she said it's not regular practice (at least here in Australia) and that it sounded rather suss. If he was doing your lymph glands, that's not really safe, nor necessary - your doctor should be the one who assesses your lymph glands, as well as yourself when you do your monthly breast check (which should be compulsory IMHO)...

Doing a breast check is not the same thing as having your lymph system worked on. There are many different types of massage therapists. Some specialize in some massages while others do other kinds.

The fact that your mom or dad or you feel weird about either having a male or female doctor or massage therapist or whatever is either personal preference or there are deeper issues. I used to have issues with having a male obgyn, but no longer. All I care about is are they good at what they do, do we have great communication, does he/she listen and work with me to address my concerns/issues.

People getting all hung up on whether they are female or male, IMO signifies some other psychological issues. When I felt bad about who I was as a person, things that other people did or did not do in terms of this bothered me. But, since having resolved those issues, I look at this as purely a therapeutic thing for my health. I don't care whether they are a woman or man giving me a massage.

If a massage therapist gets their jollies from massaging me and makes it known to me, I won't go to him OR her. If they maintain a professional attitude & meet my needs, I don't see what the big deal is. So many people make this such a sexual thing when it isn't (unless you're going to a massage parlor to get some action or something along those lines). Sure, there are those that do something unprofessional in their profession....make sure you have an avenue for recourse. If you feel that uncomfortable, don't do it.