This dirty word massage
The recent breakdown in the security system of the Urban Massage app that led to exposure of thousands of clients details in their data base is obviously very dangerous and needs to be avoided for any measure. The fact that it revealed thousands of therapists has been sexually harassed adds another layer to a whole story.
As operators we need to fully appreciate the depth and power of massage therapy and educate society on true nature of massage, therapists will be still at risk to find themselves one to one with a potentially abusive client. It can be a very traumatic experience because therapists at large are givers, they really want to make a change and most of them are pure in their hearts. To receive the sexual demand from a client while therapist wants to offer the best possible and genuine treatment is very discouraging; and it hurts. It humiliates therapists and takes away the joy of their profession.
I am personally involved and understand the challenges, as some of you may know, I have spent much of my career changing the perception on massage. I remember when, in the early stages of may work I was traveling to my clients houses with my massage table across my shoulder, passing by small massage parlours. Often with the word massage along the window display in the terrible red neon colour.
I knew that there was so much more to what massage could be and I was convinced that we are as a society must change how we perceive massage.
When twenty years ago somebody asked me what is my profession and I would say “massage therapist” there would be hesitation in receiving this message, a blink of the eye, accompanied with ‘Ah’ sound. Then I would respond: “No, no the ”Ah” therapist, just a normal one”
When I called my campaign to offer massages in nursing homes “Touch me”, nobody wanted to write about it and I was accused of encouraging sexual abuse of elderly. I was told I need to change the name of my campaign, which I didn't. Because of the name of my company Pure Massage it took us two years to find a premises. Everybody thought we were planning to open the brothel!
Of course since then the perception has shifted. We cannot deny the benefits of massage, the media perception has also changed and become very supportive, removing the double meaning of massage, people now go for massage more often and can clearly see and feel the positive change it brings.
In the light of the issues identified at Urban Massage we need to revisit our procedures and learn some valuable lessons. We need to support our staff, not only but setting a clear rules and boundaries around the sexual behaviours of both therapists and clients. We must also understand the role they play in promoting wellness to our clients and support them in their growth. After all they are a core of our business and provider of a true transformation for the client towards mental, physical and emotional wellbeing.