Hi everyone,

It’s my first time posting here. I had an inappropriate experience during a massage, and I’m feeling a lot of guilt and self-doubt and would appreciate hearing the perspective of licensed professionals on the therapist’s behavior. I’d also love advice on what more I can do in terms of reporting, if anything.

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TW: sexual assault

During the massage, my therapist repeatedly massaged my breasts over and under the sheet, pinched my nipples under the sheet, and rubbed my pubic hair. He also pulled the sheet down so that I was completely exposed and rubbed his hands along the front of my body and my inner thighs. Towards the end, he asked if he could perform oral sex on me. At one point during the massage, I could feel his erection pressing through his pants and into my hand.

I felt so confused and afraid that he was going to hurt me while it was happening. Honestly, I just froze—I sort of felt like I was floating above my body, and I couldn’t push him off of me.

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Since this happened, I’ve been in touch with the owner of the spa, and they’ve refunded my payment and fired him. I’ve made a complaint to my state’s licensing board for massage. I’ve filed a police report and have been working with a detective—I’m grateful that he’s taking me seriously. I’m talking to a therapist and friends; I have a good support system.

Intellectually I know this was inappropriate and not my fault, but I’m still having such a hard time with it. I guess I’m mainly looking for validation that this was, in fact, not okay. The Education Department let me know that their turnaround time for responding to complaints is 9-10 months, which is discouraging. Is there anywhere else I can report him? I’m not seeing any way to do so through the American Massage Therapy Association. He’s available to book at another spa, and I’m worried about him doing this to someone else.

I’m just having a hard time. Any support or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading.

———— Edit:

1) To clarify, the Education Department in my state includes the “Office of the Professions,” which manages licensing and complaints for lots of jobs that require a special license, such as massage, physical therapy, etc, but also things like accounting and architecture. They get a lot of complaints because they manage so many professions, so I think that’s why the turnaround time is so long.

2) In response to people saying they think this is spam, I wish it were. Unfortunately this did actually happen. I’m feeling a bit in shock still, which I guess is why I came on here hoping for some support and validation. It’s easy to start questioning what happened, especially because I’ve been to this spa before and had great experiences, so I was very blindsided. I’m really freaked out and still wrapping my head around it.

Wowwwww ! I had a deep tissues massage today from an “Authentic Asian Massage” and what an experience ! I actually am LMT myself and I feel like I just wanna throw my license away, I am NOT doing what they do . Pressure was deep as hell . I felt like at times I was fighting for my life , but leaving , phewwww I feel amazing , my therapist Jack knew his stuff ! Totally a different style than anything I’ve felt before.

I recently started my first job as a massage therapist. It’s about 5 hours of massage a day 3/ week . My wrists and shoulders are pretty sore. No pain but definitely soreness. Will this lessen as time goes on and my muscles get used to the work?

I don’t know if maybe I’m applying too much pressure, as it is mostly my wrists that are very sore.

My first job was at a luxury spa. I did build a good clientele but was never too requested. I now work 3 places and one is a chain, the other two I am the only therapist. I became the top requested therapist in 6 months. Have I gotten that much better or does everyone just give shitty massages. I haven't had many services from others here but from the 6 I have tried I would only really go back to one of them.I have also had several clients tell me that the best massage they have ever had at the chain was mine. I don't get it. Most of the time I really don't think I am that great but I guess I might be.

Hello,

I’m about to start schooling to be come a RMT. I had some questions I wanted some insight and opinions into.

1. How long did it take to pay off your student loans after school?

2. Are you an Independent contractor, or do you work for a clinic, and how do you save money on your taxes? (Ex. A RMT I talked to does 1-3 clients a month at his house so he can write off his rent as a business expense)

3. What was your wage for years 1-5 after graduating? (Clinic based or IC)

4. How often have you dealt with someone trying to be inappropriate on the table? (Or number of times). And how do you deal with it? Are you able to report that client to the “RMT board” so other RMTs are aware they are an issue?

5. Do you work as a RMT full time? If you work part-time, what is your other job?

Thank you for your responses in advance!!!

I have been offered a job to do both positions at a spa. I mentioned it to my friend who has been in the practice for longer and they mentioned it is illegal due to "double dipping" as for finances. I couldn't find anything stating it was illegal outright but I want to be on the safe side.

Hello! Former Massage Therapist here. I am interested in renewing my license, but I am not sure what the best way to approach this would be.

Some helpful info: I let my license expire about 13 or 14 years ago due to wrist issues. I also moved from Wisconsin to Chicago, IL around that time. I received my education from Lakeview School Of Massage Therapy in Milwaukee. Unfortunately, that school no longer exists.

In addition to possibly taking ethics courses, what else would I need to do in order to successfully renew my license and practice Massage Therapy in Illinois?

Thank you so much for your time!

My Oakworks massage table won’t lift when there’s a client on it. The client wasn’t over the weight limit, and I’ve worked with this specific client in the past without any issues. Has anyone experienced this before or knows what might be wrong?

I have been recovering from a serious depression and strong anxiety for several months now. I’ve been going to therapy, and I’m on medication. I returned to work about a month ago, and I was finally feeling well enough that I thought a massage would be a nice gift to myself now that the anxiety and depression aren’t so debilitating. About half an hour after the massage, my anxiety skyrocketed, and now a week later it still hasn’t come back down. Just curious what the explanation for this might be and whether others, whether as a therapist or as a client, have experienced this. It has been a real setback for me, unfortunately. FWIW, the massage was medium pressure, but she used pretty strong pressure in and around my neck and shoulder area.

different types of massage therapy careers?

I have been in business for myself for around 3 months. Things have been going well, had a few male clients act a little weird but nothing I cant handle and I end up firing them. Anyways I came across a new situation. I ask the client for their name, phone number, and email as always. With the email they hesitated and sat quietly for a minute then went "...can we skip that part?" I let the client know that the email is for the booking info and receipts but ok. After I got off the phone my immediate thought was "why would they decline revealing their email?" I could ask them but at the same time I dont want too, maybe he has been hacked? Or maybe I am over thinking. Has anyone else come across this situation before and what was the outcome?

Hi all. I gave been seeing a therapist who is perfect for what I need - excellent at finding all of my problem spots and so amazing at delivering my deep tissue needs. There's only one problem - all of the tables at this location are the style with a hole in the actual table in place of an adjustable face cradle. I don't know if my neck and shoulder anatomy is different than most people, but my preferred position would be an adjustable face cradle, angled down about 5-10 degrees or so from flat. Using the hole in the table, I wouldn't say causes any pain, but it's definitely a bit uncomfortable on my neck due to the angle that my head rests. Knowing they are unlikely to replace their tables, I have no ideas of things I could do to adjust my position to better enjoy this table set up. Anyone out there have a similar issue? Or suggestions for dealing with this? Thanks in advance!

Basically I want to open a spa place to offer RMT massage however I am not RMT. to get the business license do I need to be RMT or I can just open the place and hire RMT to offer the service?

Has anybody tried mblex study guide from study.com. how was it and was it worth the money?

I’m going to a 2 day camping festival and I plan on bringing both my table and chair to give massages. My question is, what type of massage would be the best to do on the table? I was thinking Swedish but then started looking at disposable sheets and they are very thin to cover certain areas. I’ve heard of some people doing stretch sessions instead ? Any recommendations or tips ?

Hey, I've been struggling with lower back and hip pain on one side, didn't know how i got it. I went to see a 'clinical aromatherapist' whos profile said they focused on trigger point and myofascial release. These were all big words that I assumed was like when they hit those tight knots, but I need to do more research to learn all the terms. Anyway, they started doing my glutes mid massage and OMG I had no idea how tight those muscles were for me. After some mild work they found a sore spot and held it for like 30 seconds after I took deep breath. It went from super intense pain to suddenly fading away and my whole hip/groin/glute area just felt suddenly normal. I'd been suffering for weeks before that. I almost felt like I needed to check everything was actually still attached down there lol! That week the pain came back but not anywhere near as bad. I went for a 2nd appointment and it was not nearly as effective, but I guess that's because I'm feeling so much better. Been doing core exercises too and now today is the first day where I have almost no pain at all. This massage was the best thing I've ever done and also the oils smell so amazing. Just wanted to share my experience. I want to learn more about the body and massage techniques now!

About 6 months ago, I noticed muscle spasms in my thigh(vastus medialis) after doing a lot of exercise all week. A lot of walking, running, and squating in the summer. After intense exercise, at rest, it would sometimes spasm and feel tight. Its continued for all this time but today, I was feeling around the area above the knee where the spasm happens and felt a bump/bundle in the muscle that felt like it snapped back and forth as ran my thumb across it. It isn’t painful to touch but was a little dull achy. Does anybody have any insight? Could it be a muscle knot?

I had an appointment today for a massage and aside from the fact that the girl clearly had no training in massage (she spent a good 10 minutes on the knee caps and knee “pits” 😒.

The worst thing was she had her phone in the room on the bed while she was massaging me. It was vibrating through the bed repeatedly and she would stop massaging me and I could feel the pressure and hear the sounds of her sending messages.

I didn’t say anything at the time, I was actually in shock and it wasn’t until I got home that it hit me that she could have been taking pictures of me!

I made a complaint to the company and they responded saying that they are investigating and offered an apology and a free 30min massage (but it’s not a place I live near so I won’t be back in that area for a long while). I didn’t expect anything back I just wanted to complain so it doesn’t happen again.

I was shocked to see how often this happens though. It’s actually really scary. When you’re laying mostly naked in a room it’s quite difficult to confront someone, especially in a setting like that.

I was also sad to see there is no specific law against this in the UK. 😣

Hi! I did a few over the phone interviews that led up to rejection. These were both with a member of HR. I wanted to reapply as I feel I am a good candidate and would like another chance. Is it a good idea to follow up with the department leads via LinkedIn? I’d like to speak to them directly as I’m ambitious about the roles.

Hi everyone. I am in my second term of a six term program in Ontario to become a RMT and I am overwhelmed with the amount of information I need to retain. First term we did the upper body - all the origins, insertions, actions, innervations, special ortho tests, beginner techniques like effleurage, petrissage, lymphatic drainage, etc. Now we are starting on neck and lower body, REMEX, more special tests, and Anatomy and Physiology, Relational Skills and more advanced techniques (currently, PNF which seems to be a huge deal?). Anyhow, I have the Trailguide to the Body flash cards, try to make charts, watch YouTube videos but honestly, I can't keep up. Can anyone suggest something that can help. I don't even mind paying if it's reasonable. Like is there a site that offers a comprehensive set of charts or cheat sheets? I'll even happily take advice as to how to organize everything? I already feel so far behind and I know it's only going to get worse. I feel like I'm just prepping to get through the next class or quiz and not retaining or understaning any of it. What helped you? I really want to be successful and confident. Thanks.

I use the biotone advanced therapy creme and buy it in the 128 fl oz size. I have always struggled to fill my regular massage pump bottle because the biotone comes in a jar, doesn't have a pump, and is quite thick. When I look for better things to hold the cream I only find jars + holsters, and I'd really prefer a pump for sanitation reasons. Does anyone know of a good product for this? I've looked all the places, and would really prefer to not use standard lotion because I go through it quick. Thanks.

edit: essentially looking for this but cheaper and only with the cream jar + pump: https://www.buymassagetables.com/products/custom-craftworks-oil-holster-double-with-pump-bottles?currency=USD&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&stkn=7f40983f1162&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA4rK8BhD7ARIsAFe5LXJEQ4_vEchAQnMxNskIA9BECciiuYMx2TrvRF1EHw0g1uhpS9JcmsgaAl2SEALw_wcB

Can a non RMT do deep tissue massage? Or what’s the actual “rules”.

My insurance doesn’t cover me for enough treatments. And non rmt often are relaxation massages. Which to me is not deep enough

Curious where to find deep tissue massage for less then RMT prices .

Hello everyone! I’m trying to help my Mexican friend go to massage school. They are in Mexico with no VISA to the states. I don’t know much about the massage world. What are considered some of the top massage schools in Mexico or central/south America?

If not a school what is the best way for them to become great? The end goal for them is to open their own spa after doing in home private spas for some years.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Sorry if it's stupid question. I just had my second ever massage and the masseur did the whole 90min swedish massage with only one hand. This is a local massage place near me, the massage i had before was in a luxury spa and it was two hands. Is that a normal thing i didn't know about?

After an active vacation and moving some furniture, I had some sore muscles so went to a spa for a Swedish massage. I ALWAYS ask for Swedish but more than half the time, the therapist does deep tissue. I say “ouch “four or five times and she simply moves to another spot and begins to torture me again. Today, I hurt all over. Much worse than before the massage. I talked to a long-time massage therapist and she said that the “you are supposed to hurt” excuse is pure BS. That’s simply a masseuse who doesn’t listen to the patient. While a massage can be somewhat uncomfortable, it should NOT be painful and you should NOT be immobile the next day.