Draping Procedure

[Sean Boy]

I am a male client and I have had regular massages (weekly) for over seven years with several therapists. I recently moved from being away for two years and my old therapist is no longer in practice. I have been trying several new ones to find the right style I like. My last visit to a female therapist was interesting. After the intake form she discussed draping preference, full sheet or minimal. My old therapist used a sheet and I have only had a few "diaper" drapes at spas. I get warm very easily so I said minimal. She then instructed me to remove my clothing and lay face down on the table and she would place the drape when she returned because it is difficult to place while laying down. She seemed very professional and I checked out her state license with no complaints filed. Anyways, she came back into the room with me lying fully exposed and covered me up with a folded pillow case. Then when turning over she held the folded pillow case up at a high level and then placed it on me. She did not do anything inappropriate and does have signs posted about boundaries etc. It was a very good massage and I intend to try her a second time on Friday 9/22.

My question: Is that ok to have her come in and drape me like that? It didn't bother me but wonder if that is ok. I was draped (minimal) during all of the actual massage. Thank you.

 

[Death Metaller]

It IS difficult to place a towel or pillowcase drape on your own back while lying on a massage table.

If you are comfortable with it, and she gives a good massage, then great. BTW, I do towel draping for a few clients, and I do have them do their own drape, but for the turn, I hold the towel up so they can turn under it, then set it back down. It works fine and nothing is exposed, surprisingly.

 

[borah]

there might be state regulations or local ordinances that say you should be covered at all time, but since you don't say where you are, it's impossible to say.
When I am using minimal draping, I will still let the client get on the table with a full sized towel just for client comfort level - I think most people are more comfortable with a cover on them waiting for the massage to start, rather than lying naked on a table in the middle of the room, just because they are in an unfamiliar room rather than some body issue. Maybe she is so comfortable with naked bodies she doesn't think like the average client? She's probably found so many clients just lie on top of the pillowcase and then she has trouble getting it out from underneath them that she takes the pillowcase away to avoid that (even with sheets and the instructions "lie with this sheet over you" I am amazed at how many new clients still lie on top of all the sheets, usually with their underwear on, then you have to get them to wriggle around while you get the sheet out from under them, I've got different coloured sheets, I pick up the top sheet and wave it at them, I still come in and they are on top of all of the sheets)

Did you check out her state license before or after your appointment?

She probably raises the pillow case to a high level to make it really obvious she has no interest in peeking while you turn over, I'm assuming the high level was below her eye level, eg you put a piece of paper on a table it obscures an area the size of the piece of paper, you raise the piece of paper to near you eyes and it obscures everything.

 

[chelsea.divine]

I live in the State of Washington and I did check her credentials BEFORE the session as I always do before selecting a massage therapist or medical practictioner. I agree, it was a little 'different' lying naked uncovered in the middle of the room (she did have the heat up to 80 degrees so it was very warm) and having her place the drape over my buttocks. Thanks for the replies, I guess I will not worry about it since everything else went well. We'll see how today goes.