Some of us are forced into a career, others who are luckier get to choose the one they love, and yet others find the job of their dreams by accident. Whatever the case, every job comes with its own set of rules and ethics, some of them written and others tacitly understood. Being a massage therapist is akin to walking on a minefield - you have to watch each step with care or risk the charge of a sexual harassment suit and the loss of your professional massage license. This is one field where it doesn’t pay to be a male, because, as unfair as it seems, males are not averse to (in fact, they would prefer) receiving massages from female masseuses but women are wary when it comes to letting their bodies be touched, albeit professionally, by a male masseur.

Massages, especially the full body kind, require your clients to take off all, or at least most of their clothes. And this puts you in the position of having to earn their trust with your professionalism and expertise. Even the slightest mistake can turn an innocent massage session into a potential situation where your job and your reputation are on the line. As a professional masseuse, here’s what you can do to ensure that your business is on the up and up:

• Talk to your clients before a massage, and stay within the boundaries they set.
• Let them know that it’s ok to keep their underclothes on if they’re not comfortable with the idea of taking off all their clothes in the presence of a stranger.
• Give them some privacy so that they can undress and slip under the sheet on the massage table.
• Make them comfortable and secure a few minutes into the session by letting your professional hands do the talking.
• If there is a hint of inappropriate behavior, ignore it unless it becomes too overt to let slide.
• Refuse sexual favors firmly, but politely. If the client insists, terminate the session and refuse to see him or her again on a professional basis.
• Never date your client; besides the fact that it could get awkward, it’s also illegal in some states.
• Do not massage sexual organs.
• While some massages do require the breasts to be touched, most states ban this kind of therapy. And it’s always best to be upfront with your client about the limits of the massage.
• Always ensure that you apologize for an inadvertent touch that’s inappropriate.

A massage has numerous benefits for both physical and mental health, as long as it stays within the ethical perimeter. If not, it could end up being detrimental to your mental peace.

Article is contributed by…

This post was contributed by Kelly Kilpatrick, who writes on the subject of massage therapy jobs. She invites your feedback at kellykilpatrick24 at gmail dot com

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