Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/108504
let's talk about ... um ... erections a philosopher and theologian from the Roman Empire named Augustine. Augustine is generally considered to be one of the greatest thinkers in all of history, and his writings were very influential in the development of Western Christianity. Augustine became the Bishop of Hippo and exerted strongly negative views of erections and semen. Elaine Pagels, a Princeton professor of religion and author, writes that Augustine's views became "the dominant influence on Western Christianity, both Catholic and Protestant, and color all Western culture, Christian or not."5 Augustine's influence was farreaching and long-lasting. Friedman, citing Pagels, writes, "But for Augustine the cause and the effect of original sin is lust, the symptom and the disease is the erection. With this one stroke, this one man transformed the penis more than any man who had yet lived: the sacred staff became the demon rod."6 In addition to the historical and cultural background of the penis and erections, there is also the scientific side of erections. Pia Poulsen, a massage therapist living in France, maintains a blog called Massage and Wellness. After writing about massage and nudity, she received many questions about involuntary erections and ejaculations during massage. "It is one of those questions only a very few dare ask openly," she writes. "When a person receives a massage and Manage Sexual Arousal Responses from clients By Anne Williams 68 massage & bodywork trust exists between the therapist and client, oxytocin is released into the blood. High levels of oxytocin can lead to erections and, in some cases, ejaculation (the hormone is needed for the contractions during an ejaculation)."7 Poulsen's conclusion is supported by Roy Levin, PhD, a behavioral scientist who wrote in the academic journal Sexual & Relationship Therapy: "It has been known for many years that oxytocin, ADH (antidiuretic hormone, or vasopressin), and prolactin were released from the posterior pituitary during human sexual arousal."8 Yet, despite these assertions, there are still no fully complete or agreed-upon scientific explanations for the mechanism of erections. According to Arthur L. Burnett, MD, director of the Male Consultation Clinic at Johns Hopkins University, "Our understanding of erections has gone through a long evolutionary process. Much of our scientific information about erections is less than 200 years old. A lot of it less than 20 years old." 9 A Matter of Fact So what is the client's experience when he has an erection on a massage table? The anonymous author of The Real Rub writes, "In my experience, the man is more mortified than I could ever be. As a matter of fact, I had one client tell me, 'I can't have you work on my thighs anymore. You can work the knees and below, my hamstrings, my calves, but not my thighs. They are very sensitive, and I am horrified I might get an erection. I can't relax.'"10 I contacted a few men who are regular massage recipients and asked them about their experiences. David Bakke, editor of a financial website, uses a mental trick to make an erection go away. "As crazy as it may Therapists have a variety of reactions when their clients get an erection during the session. Some overreact and shame the client by terminating the session or speaking in judgmental tones. Others respond with paralyzing fear and embarrassment. It's important to remember that the arousal response is normal, and with a few simple changes in technique, it is likely to pass and the session can continue. Notice your client's face. Is it flushed and embarrassed, or is he deeply relaxed? Sometimes a client is so relaxed that arousal happens without march/april 2013 full awareness. If this is the case, you might simply change techniques and not need to address the situation verbally. If the client is embarrassed, it is appropriate to be reassuring. One therapist tells embarrassed clients, "This is a normal response. No worries. Would you like an extra blanket?" Indeed, additional draping material (e.g., an additional towel or blanket) can create a thicker physical barrier and give a greater sense of privacy. Change the massage techniques to those that are more invigorating, such as stretching, joint movements, or