What do you wear to a full body massage? It’s one of the most asked questions from first time clients and is one of the top 5 questions related to massage according to the google search engine.
So today I’ll write about what options are available to you as a client, and what most therapists prefer you wear so we can do our best work.
What Does ‘Full Body’ Massage Include Anyway?
Firstly, let’s get you up to date on what a full body massage should include.
- Arms and Forearms
- Legs and Thighs
- Hands and Feet
- Head and Face
- Neck
- Shoulders
- Upper, Mid and Lower Back
- Abdomen
- Glutes
- The whole chest if you’re male and the area above the breast if you’re a female.
Am I Uncovered During the Massage?
In some European bathhouses or private beachside spas you may choose to be mostly uncovered if you wish. However, in my Norwegian clinic and in most places all body parts except the area that is being massaged stays covered up.
Your therapist will uncover just your right hip and lower back area for instance or just one arm. While they focus on that particular part of the body and everything else stays warm and covered under the sheet for privacy.
What About the Turning Over Part?
When your masseuse or therapist needs you to turn over onto your back, they will either hold a large towel or sheet up as a screen, so you can turn over more easily.
Or they will leave the room for a few moments so you can turn over in private and make yourself comfortable. Personally in my clinic I leave the room for a moment and I’ll knock before I come back in.
How Much Should I Wear During a Full Body Massage?
Put simple you should wear as much or as little as is needed for you to be able to:
- Relax Effectively
- Feel Safe and Secure
- Feel Comfortable
At the same time please realize that your therapist doesn’t want to be rolling up your shirt arms, taking off your socks or adjusting longer style underwear during your massage.
Generally speaking, the unspoken rule is if your clothing is covering a body part it’s likely your therapist will take that as a sign to leave it there and work around it as best they can. As apposed to making big adjustments or removing it for you.
This is a very good reason for a thorough consultation with clear communication should take place prior to getting on the massage table. Also regular ‘checking-in’ during a treatment is a good sign of a professional.
Here’s an Example of Miscommunication:
Let’s say Sarah forgets to remove her socks and she’s really looking forward to the foot massage portion of the treatment. She knows it helps to relieve the discomfort she feels from standing up all day. But the therapist may take her leaving her socks on as a sign to skip or avoid that area. So the person feels that the massage wasn’t very good because it was supposed to be a full body massage including some reflexology and the therapist skipped it.
So if in the consultation Sarah communicated foot reflexology as a focus point and she told the therapist that there were no area’s she wished to avoid. The therapist would likely asked Sarah if she’s changed her mind or just wanted to keep her feet warm or if she forgot to take off your socks.
Lots of Communication is Key
Unless you have specifically asked your therapist for an area to be worked on or communicated that you don’t want to avoid any area so as to experience the full massage. We may then ask if it’s okay for you or the therapist themselves to remove or adjust the item to continue. We won’t make a big deal of it, but we definitely prefer not to have to do this.
The therapist may also get massage oil all over your clothing. Which is why, as a side note, whatever you are wearing it shouldn’t be your best clothing as some oil will inevitably get on your clothes either way.
So if you have tension in your hamstring for example and you want treatment to work on releasing that tension effectively, wearing long shorts that cover your thighs want allow for us to do what you want us to.
Your Therapist Did Talk with You, Right?
Hopefully though, as I always do with my new and regular clients alike. Talking about any body parts or areas of the body you want to avoid should be thoroughly discussed before you’re even on the massage table. You don’t have to explain yourself either, if you prefer not to.
However, helping us understand why a body part should be avoided is quite helpful. Whether it’s because of a scar, a recent tattoo or that you just feel uncomfortable being touched in a certain area. It will help your therapist understand and act accordingly.
Many people enjoy the freedom of being nude for a full body massage but you should check with your therapist as many do not allow it and require you to wear underwear.
At YouTime it is an option to go nude if you want to – but maybe read this first.
Also some people may choose to forgo massage in the certain areas that they feel uncomfortable being seen or touched by another person. And so, wear clothing to cover those parts up as mentioned before.
Please make a point of the areas you wish skip over when communicating with me or your therapist, or any masseuse so it’s clear where we need to avoid.
So again, how much or how little you wear depends on what you want massaged, what you don’t want massaged and whether you feel comfortable. If you wear underwear it’s better to be a closer fitting type and any other item should be nice and loose fitting and as comfortable as possible.
Remember that full body Classic (Swedish) massages and my own Signature Bodywork™ and Precision Wellness Massages use oil and hand to skin contact.
Basically
I’m here to tell you that it’s all good! And at the end of the day your masseuse or therapist wants you to be able to:
- Relax
- Feel safe
- And be comfortable
Maybe Full Body Classic Massage isn’t for You?
Before we delve into the second part of the article I’ll point out that there are many massage styles where you actual wear clothing. Thai massage being the most commonly known, as well as some Deep Tissue and Chinese style massage.
I myself use many of the techniques from these styles in my Signature BodyWork™ and Sports and Fitness Massages.
YouTime though, is based on a foundation of classic massage because I believe it is the best for relaxation of the body and mind. Allowing for better results when incorporating other techniques in conjunction with it.
If keeping your clothing on is what you’re looking for then there are many other options out there that may be better suited for you.
What do Therapists Prefer You to Wear?
Well some old school teachers insist on clients being fully nude and it is certainly much easier for us that way. However personally, like many other practitioners, I have found that close fitting high hip g-string style underwear or swimsuit bottoms are very good for both women and men.
This style of underwear keeps private parts private and the therapist can easily reach the glutes, lower back and hip area. The top of the legs and inner thigh can also be effectively massaged without having to make adjustment to a clients clothing. It’s much easier for the person, less awkward for the therapist and the flow is uninterrupted.
Understand that we are here to give you a great massage and not to judge you in any way.
Mark
But as I’ve written here several times, it really is up to you as an individual what you choose to wear. As a good therapist I will work hard to give you the best experience regardless and please understand that we are here to give you a great massage and not to judge you in any way. We want you to feel amazing, we want you to come back and that starts with you being able to:
- Relax
- Feel safe
- and being comfortable
You the client are always in control of the treatment!
Please comment and share what you prefer to wear or not during a full body massage. Help others know that there is no hard and fast rule on what to wear.
And be sure to read my other posts in the Essential Reading for Clients category.
All properly trained and certified massage therapists usually elect to register themselves and should be insured. If you feel that a masseuse or therapist has been inappropriate in some way you can contact the registry office to make a formal complaint.
So make sure that your therapist is both registered and insured in Norway or whatever country your in.
Ready to Book Your Wellness Massage?
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Poem
Simplicity (How happy is the little Stone)
How happy is the little Stone
That rambles in the Road alone,
And doesn’t care about Careers
And Exigencies never fears
Whose Coat of elemental Brown
A passing Universe put on,
And independent as the Sun
Associates or glows alone,
Fulfilling absolute Decree
In casual simplicity
Emily Dickinson
