Undraped Massage OK in VA

[little.miss.shopaholic]

I’d like to report on what I recently found out about laws regarding massage draping in Virginia.

For many years, I went to a massage therapist in Nevada. When I became a regular client, she advised me that massages were best given with the client undraped and offered to discontinue draping if that was my preference. I considered her a medical professional, so I followed her suggestion; experience proved her correct. Let me stress that the massages were always exactly like professional, ethical medical procedures in a doctor’s office or hospital where the patient is nude—there was absolutely nothing sexual or arousing about them.

I recently moved to Chesterfield County, Virginia, and began seeing another excellent massage practitioner. Other therapists had told her that Chesterfield county requires massage clients to be draped but she does not know exactly what the laws and regulations governing draping are. I discovered that the Chesterfield county code does not cover activities of massage therapists (nor does Virginia’s criminal code). The county defers to state laws and regulations, which are administered by the state nursing board. The board’s publication, “Regulations Governing the Certification of Massage Therapists,” does not cover draping directly, but does say that massage practitioners may be disciplined for “Failing to practice in a manner consistent with the code of ethics of the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.”

NCBTMB’s code of ethics has only this one reference to draping: “Provide draping and treatment in a way that ensures the safety, comfort and privacy of the client.” Note that this does not forbid a massage therapist from giving an undraped massage if the client feels this is consistent with her/his safety, comfort and privacy (and as long as there is no sexual activity). I contacted a spokesperson for the state nursing board who confirmed that Virginia follows the NCBTMB policy. I also contacted a spokesperson for Chesterfield county who confirmed that no county ordinance forbids undraped massage.

So non-sexual massage without draping is actually legal in Chesterfield county and wherever Virginia’s state law is not superseded by local law. I’ll bet this is the case in many other states that have adopted NCBTMB’s code of ethics.

This leads to the question of whether therapists should offer, or accept requests for, undraped massage. I explore this issue in “Draped vs. Undraped Massages,” section on Business/Practice Ethics, Conduct Issues & Questionable Dilemmas, also posted today.

 

[Tsquared]

You wrote: "For many years, I went to a massage therapist in Nevada. When I became a regular client, she advised me that massages were best given with the client undraped and offered to discontinue draping if that was my preference. I considered her a medical professional, so I followed her suggestion; experience proved her correct. Let me stress that the massages were always exactly like professional, ethical medical procedures in a doctor’s office or hospital where the patient is nude—there was absolutely nothing sexual or arousing about them."

I have never heard of nor seen any procedures in a doctor's office or hospital where the patient is nude. I have worked in both, and have been a patient or parent of a patient many times.

I doubt draping is covered in medical code of ethics, much less state laws. Ethics are not determined to be "whatever we can get by with and not break a specific law". Draping is usual and customary for massage and for medical procedures. It provides boundaries and lessens the power differential between practitioner and client. It has nothing to do with sexual arousal.

When the comfort level is different for the client than it is for the practitioner, the more conservative comfort level needs to be honored by both. If that is not acceptable to the one with the less conservative level, they are free to discontinue the professional relationship. Nobody is expected to serve or be served in a manner that is uncomfortable or intimidating. For a relationship to be good, it must be freely entered into and maintained by both participants. No matter the issue.

 

[Bawls]

Draped Definitely

Northern Virginia is very quick for a person to sue a business (Slipping in the produce aisle in Safeway, slipping on the ice in front of a store, rear ended in a car, etc)

We may actually reject some clients who ask over the phone who ask for an undraped massage. We tell them at least we have to put a towel over you to cover your buns, and it MUST stay on, or the appointments ends!

While a majority of the athletic male and female clients, and the weekend warriors we work on are on good shape, there are many that we don't want to see. We cover everyone!

 

[Pompal 09.]

There isn't anyone I want to see undraped on MY massage table.

 

[kslice687]

Draped Definitely

Northern Virginia is very quick for a person to sue a business (Slipping in the produce aisle in Safeway, slipping on the ice in front of a store, rear ended in a car, etc)

It's like that everywhere. Opportunistic people looking to make a quick $.

While a majority of the athletic male and female clients, and the weekend warriors we work on are on good shape, there are many that we don't want to see. We cover everyone!

Bwahahaha! I'll do towel draping, and don't mind nudity, though I won't do completely undraped massage, but yeah. Some stuff you don't want to see. (or smell, I might add...) :

 

[star69]

Draped Definitely

Northern Virginia is very quick for a person to sue a business (Slipping in the produce aisle in Safeway, slipping on the ice in front of a store, rear ended in a car, etc)

It's like that everywhere. Opportunistic people looking to make a quick $.

While a majority of the athletic male and female clients, and the weekend warriors we work on are on good shape, there are many that we don't want to see. We cover everyone!

Bwahahaha! I'll do towel draping, and don't mind nudity, though I won't do completely undraped massage, but yeah. Some stuff you don't want to see. (or smell, I might add...) :

Funny, I was just talking with my therapist at the chiropractor who I have gone too for a long time. I asked her if massage ever grossed her out, and she basically said that moles, cysts, and body parts didn't gross her out as much as smells! I can't imagine what you have to put up with, which is why I could never be a massage therapist. It takes a special person to be one, IMO.

As for draping, as a client, I cannot understand why there is even a need for undraped massage. I know I would never allow it to be done to me. Draping is necessary so their is a boundary from client to therapist and from therapist to client. I think those who practice undraped massage could be inviting trouble in a lot of different ways, whether it be suing, unethical clients, etc....It just amazes me how this subject comes up on message boards for massage repeatedly.

 

[xx.loveme]

Tactful replies.

Tactful replies.

When I can smell a client before they get on my table I suggest, "You look very tight. Go hop in the HOT shower for five minutes while I set up. Like a hot tub, it'll help loosen your muscles and make it easier for me to give you a more productive massage."

Hey, great idea, they say.
When I'm ready, they are clean and fresh enough to hop up on the table.


When a client asks not to be draped I reply,"The vice squads from different police departments randomly check all outcall companies that the companies are following proper procedures. They'll give us a ticket if we don't drape everyone."


Signed, Paul
MOTR Owner

 

[johnny4nuthin]

When a client asks not to be draped I reply,"The vice squads from different police departments randomly check all outcall companies that the companies are following proper procedures. They'll give us a ticket if we don't drape everyone.

Paul,

Why outright lie to a client?? Your lie is easily seen through. If I was on your table and you told me that, I would be worried that the cops would be bursting in on us to see if I was draped. You are basically telling the client that cops randomly bust in on massage sessions.

It makes much more sense to say it is company policy. If they ask why, say it keeps boundries for the client and therapist intact. If they still argue for no draping, tell them draping is company policy and if they ask about it again the session will be over on the spot and they will be required to pay for the entire session.

Christine

 

[Pompal 09.]

Agreed Christine, setting rules for draping as "company policy" is a much better idea. While Paul himself is the owner or MOTR, by setting it as a company policy he protects not only his own gluteus maximus, but those of the apparently mostly female therapists he hires. For myself I would think that'd be an attractive point for an employer to have... a good set of written company policies for all employees. That way everybody knows where they stand on the issue (draping) irregardless of a client's personal wishes and state laws which may not be worded as clearly as you wish. With clear company stated boundaries, both the therapist and the client, are more likely to be accepting of the arrangement.

 

[Dani Ludwig]

Although the fact is, vice squads DO randomly check on these things in some areas. They don't break in on anyone, they just use an "undercover" officer acting as a client.

 

[Annorax]

I'm sure a few others have noticed this too, but this thread bears eerie resemblance to this thread: http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5602&highlight=

In fact, both threads (this one and the link above) were started within 5 mins of each other.

 

[Eliza The Animal Lover!!]

I'm sure a few others have noticed this too, but this thread bears eerie resemblance to this thread: http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5602&highlight=

In fact, both threads (this one and the link above) were started within 5 mins of each other.

I thought I was having the sense of Deja Vu??

Angie