Image by mozzercork via FlickrThis is my last post in the “Eat, Love, Pray” massage series I have written over the last few weeks.
Massage and love go hand in hand. I am not talking about physical or familial love, the type of love you have for a spouse or child, but rather about a more universal love. Other ways to describe this love are compassion, caring, nurturing, comfort, relaxation, support, healing, and wanting to give the best to the recipient. They are all different expressions for love.
A good therapist gives love to every client. She gives care and nurturing, her intent is to help you with your healing and make you feel good.
It can be a transforming experience to feel this unconditional love from your therapist. For some it might be the first time in years that they have experienced a compassionate touch, for others they might only have experienced non-loving touches, some might just need physical closeness at this time in life.
I have several experiences with clients who reacted strongly to the love given during the massage. Tears and release of pent up emotions. The unconditional compassion and care during the treatment was the triggering factor. I have written about some of my experiences as a massage therapist, which includes emotional release.
Another important thing to factor in, is that massage also helps you to love and accept yourself. Research done by the Touch Institute and others show how important touch is for our own self-acceptance and self-love. If somebody else shows unconditional care and accept of you, it challenges your own views and promotes emotional healing. It is hard to dislike yourself when another so lovingly massages you and loves you just as you are.
Massage without love becomes mechanic and cold. The hands of the therapist might feel cold or there just seems to be some sort of distance and lack of connection between the two of you. High technical skill cannot make up for lack of true caring. At least not if you want a massage that supports the healing of your body, mind, and soul.
Great article. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I also believe that massages support the healing of our body, mind and soul. It should make you feel like you're nurtured and cared for. Also, massages without love feel mechanic and cold.
Posted by eastside massage | Monday 11 October, 2010, 05:52Thank you for your comments. I'm happy the article was of interest to you.
Cheers,
Pia
Posted by Pia | Monday 11 October, 2010, 18:14hi Pia,I have been having full body massages by a lady massage.With me being a man whilst laying on my front when she massages my bare buttocks I really want her to spank me very hard on my bare buttocks but I am frightened of her reaction if i ask her for this,what would you advise thankyou.
Posted by Anonymous | Tuesday 16 November, 2010, 10:54Dear Anonymous,
I would suggest that you seek out a girlfriend or sex-worker who can fulfill your fantasies and desires. A professional massage therapist is not a sex-worker and is not interested in being placed in the same category as sex-workers.
Please ask this sort of questions in the appropriate forums. This blog is not about sexual fantasies or erotic massages.
Thank you.
Pia
Posted by Pia | Saturday 20 November, 2010, 20:22The last time I went to a massage therapist, I had lower back pain resulting from a car accident. I always wear my basketball shorts when I get a massage whether it’s a male or female is irrelevant. On this occasion, he had asked me where the pain was prior to the session and touched various points in the lower back and I confirmed the ones (most of them) that were bothering me. In the middle of the massage, he pulled down my basketball shorts, exposing my bare buttocks and began to apply pressure to various points on the cheeks. This was somewhat awkward, but as someone studying in a medical assistant program, I am aware that the buttocks and lower back are connected. My question is simply is this normal practice for a massage therapist? I was just wondering. I have been back to him since because after my session, I felt the lower back muscles relax greatly a couple days later.
Posted by John | Tuesday 28 February, 2017, 22:17Hi John,
It is normal to massage the glutes when there are lower back issues. It is -not- normal nor appropriate to just pull down underwear to access the muscles. Any approach to the buttocks should be done with prior information and consent. I hope this helps.
Cheers
Pia
Posted by Pia Poulsen | Wednesday 15 March, 2017, 08:58