Do you ask first?

[Spunk!]

We just learned our first sample technique for posterior leg and foot. I am now looking forward to lots of practice with various friends and family who have kindly offered to let me practice on them. Some of the people I will be practicing on I don't really know that well, as in, the spouse of a neighbor.

So, do you tell them about the glute massage before beginning? Some people are really not knowledgeable about what Swedish massage entails. I don't want to make a big deal out of it, but I would hate for anyone to feel uncomfortable.

I suppose I could just quickly explain what areas I will be working on and ask them if they would prefer I skip some areas ... but really like I said I also don't want to make that part like *stick out* by mentioning either.. I dunno.

What do you all think?

 

[EnigMA]

I suppose I could just quickly explain what areas I will be working on and ask them if they would prefer I skip some areas

Yes, do That.

but really like I said I also don't want to make that part like *stick out* by mentioning either..

This is where your good nature, caring intent and intuition comes into play. The more comfortable you are with adapting to what they want the more comfortable they will feel recieving the massage.

Intake can be a rehearsed routine and you'll get more and more comfortable with it. Start developing your routine now.

I always ask permission with explaination before glut work. Getting an opportunity to watch a 60 client a night clinic weekly it will come up often. Feedback sheets reflect some shock sometimes if the client was not aware. I also do most my Glut work though the sheet unless I require flushing and lubricated gliding work. Heating and compressions can do that fine without uncovering or exposing tissue.

Something else to consider. I have seen market research that implys a persons buttock is one of the most "socially" aware tissues. One reason shopping isles at ...say Macy's is a distinct distance. Too close butt to butt and people will not feel comfortable looking/shopping. It's a funny phenom but true. If that research boundry shows people need "feet" between the shopping buttocks : to feel comfortable imagine what it might feel like with a stranger diving in uninvited?!?

Don't get me wrong, Gluts work is critical but it's up to the Therapist to develope methods to professionally deal with it. Part of the art of massage is helping people feel OK with being touched by a stranger.

 

[Doctor Watson]

When I was looking for people to practice on I would tell them first what areas I needed to work for homework, then find a way to round it out. For instance, when we were working posterior hip and leg I snagged my brother in law who I knew had some back problems. I said something along the lines of "hey, I've got to practice draping and working the backs of someone's legs and hips - I can throw in some back if you're up for it." I've never had a refusal .

I tried to be clear as to the areas I'd be working, while trying to come across comfortable with it (even if I wasn't so comfortable in the beginning lol.) Also, by rounding out the massage by adding some areas, it was easier to transition my way around as opposed to diving straight in cold to 30 min of glute work. That also gives the person you're working on the chance to relax and hopefully be comfortable before the draping gets tricky.

Just as a general rule, if it's someone I haven't worked with before or if I don't know them that well, before I start I give them the "undress to your comfort level, as I'll only be uncovering the areas I'm working on." If you need access to the glutes, I'd probably offer "since I need to practice draping the back of your hip, it would help if you wouldn't mind removing your underwear, or giving yourself a bit of a wedgie so I can get around it." While not ideal, that still gives them the option to keep their underwear on... or encourages them to remove them to avoid the wedgie - not sure which more . :

 

[Lucy Girl]

Good point JaeMarie. The type of underware dictates a lot of it too. Boxers will have to be removed, thongs can't be tucked with a sheet, menstruation (some woman don't want glut work during).... the client has to be informed up front if they need to remove or alter garmets to recieve the work.

 

[Day]

one of the best "general" intakes for glut massage I've heard, and that I use is "i'll uncover each area as I work on it. I normally work the glut or buttock area and to work it well, it's better to have your underware taken off. If you leave your underwear on (which is fine, etc etc) I will work over the sheet, unless you don't want that."

Or, if someone asks for lower back/hip work ...OR if you are learning that area and need to practice on it you can modify the above statement "in order to...(work on your problem area/work on my homework) I will need to access the buttocks. I can do this through the sheet (if you've hopefully been trained in this!) but it can be more effective if you take your underwear off. I do keep you modestly draped, but uncover this portion of the buttock (and gesture with your hand)."

If you can get this down so that your delivery is not "making a big deal out of it" then you'll be fine. it's another part of the body that needs to be worked on.

 

[football5680]

Yes, and a neighbor of mine recently reminded me that not everyone knows what "glutes" are. He went in for a massage and the therapist asked him if he minded if she worked on his glutes. He didn't want to look stupid, so he said "sure!" Well, he was QUITE surprised and shocked. LOL "If I'd have known she was gonna rub my butt I would have said "H*** No!" His wife had a fit too.

We live in the country, and that just is not done . Bless his heart.

So "Buttocks" "Backs of hips," etc might be a better way of putting it!

 

[Bogey]

I always address the gluetes, it is a normal part of my massage. However I do have an intake form with 2 sets of bodies front and back. One for the area of current problems, and one to mark areas that you don't want to have addressed.

Funnily enough, I've had more people mark not to touch their feet than their "butt".

If I'm doing a verbal intake, I mention that I do a fully body massage, including addressing the glutes (or behind, I always use both terms) as well as the stomach. If you care not to have any areas of the body massage, please let me know.

 

[Terrex C]

Here's a thread on a similar topic. Lots of good advice:

http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4390

 

[nudangler]

Do you ask first?

So, do you tell them about the glute massage before beginning? Some people are really not knowledgeable about what Swedish massage entails. I don't want to make a big deal out of it, but I would hate for anyone to feel uncomfortable.

You've been given some great advice so far. So I only have one piece of advice to add.

Remember that you are a student and need practice. When setting up your practice sessions, just be straight forward and tell the 'client' you need to practice on the following areas .....

If he/she is uncomfortable with that then perhaps you could suggest he/she wait until you need specific practice on a different area. Yes, you can work over the sheet. Yes, you can work with underwear on. But those options tend to be based on the client's preference and comfortability. This is about you and your learning right now.

I think (personal opinion here) that you need to become confident and comfortable working the glutes undraped before working them draped. You are learning to feel the difference between the glutes, piriformis, obturator internus and the gemelli. You are learning to feel the subtle differences in fascial tensions, adhesions, trigger points. Working through a sheet or underwear is not the best way to learn this.

Again, this is just my opinion. After you've practiced a while and your practice people start becoming more like mock clients, then you can begin adapting the sessions to meet the 'client's' needs. But right now this is about you and your learning. Find the right practice people so you can practice what you need to be the best therapist you can be.

 

[Buzz Kill]

You all have given me great advice!

Thank you for your insight. I feel good about how to proceed now.



I'll post back and update how it goes!

 

[irland1553]

Especially for people with low back and hip pain, I explain that I normally work the glutes - and here I show them where that area is with my hands on my own body. If they choose to leave undergarments on then I will work a little bit over the sheets. But I feel - even if they did no specifically tell me that they did not want the area worked - leaving underwear on kinda says that.

BTW - I don't care for glute work over the sheet myself when getting a massage. Usually it's just a few compressions - which I don't really think does anything at all for me.