Draping Your First Massage

Remember what it was like getting your first professional massage?  What did you like?  What didn't you like?

My first one was in Boston at my uncle's chiropractor office.  It was a while ago but I remember it being mostly nice.  Unfortunately it's easier to remember the negative.  I didn't like when she did my scalp because it felt like she used her fingernails really hard.  It hurt and I hated the idea of all my dandruff being under her fingernails when she finished.

I guess at that point in my experience with massage I didn't know it was okay for me to tell her it hurt.  I did like when she used lavender oil and had me breath it in from her hands when I was face down (prone).

When it was time for me to turn face up or supine, it was super awkward for me because she lifted the sheet up into the air without much communication and asked me to turn.  I was like "what?" Then when I realized she wasn't actually looking, I went ahead and turned over.

So fast forward to when I was in school.  I think I went to a good school because they encouraged communication and putting the client's needs first.  They taught us to simply lean on one side of the table while "tenting" up the other side a little so the client could turn - so much better than my experience where the therapist lifted the sheet all the way up exposing me.

In school we had hands-on "clinical" in the afternoon.  In the beginning we massaged each other and then later on in the program we did the public.

When getting massaged, I remember feeling insecure about my breast being exposed when they worked on my arms (while supine) unless the sheet was good and tucked under.  I always make sure it is well tucked in for my female clients.

When draping the back of the leg, don't underestimate how far up you can drape and work.  Try to drape just below the Gluteus Maximus. As long as you aren't seeing butt cheek, you're all set because the hamstring bellies and attachments go all the way up to the Ischiums or "sit bones".  Some people actually expose more butt in exclusion of the "butt crack", BUT (pun) I prefer to work on the glutes with the sheet covering them.  That is how I was taught at school.