Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/867515
region during a massage, even by accident, is grounds for the client to immediately terminate the massage. Sometimes, legitimate accidents occur. One example, cited in a book I co-authored with Cherie Sohnen- Moe, The Ethics of Touch (Sohnen-Moe Associates, 2013), occurred when a chiropractor found himself in an unfortunate situation that was quickly and easily dealt with through honest and direct communication: A male chiropractor was beginning to work on a prone female client who was wearing a gown opened in the back. He placed one of his hands on her lower legs and the other hand on her upper back. All of a sudden, with a cry of shock, the client said, "Doctor, what's going on?" The chiropractor looked down and saw that his tie had fallen between the client's thighs. In an even and professional voice, he said, "I'm sorry; my tie slipped and is touching you. Let me keep my hands where they are while you turn your head to see for yourself." The client saw that the chiropractor was telling the truth; because of his clear and honest communication, she relaxed and continued the treatment. 3 In the case of honest error, as this example illustrates, the therapist immediately stops, apologizes, and provides a direct, straightforward explanation of what has happened. If anything sexually inappropriate occurs more than once by a practitioner, however, it is likely to be intentional sexual misconduct, and the practitioner should no longer see clients. It is not only the practitioner's, but also a spa's or clinic's, responsibility to ensure that clients are protected from any inappropriate sexual contact. Placement of the Client's Hands Another type of sexual violation can occur when a female client is lying prone with her hands on the table and her palms facing up toward the ceiling (Image 7). This positioning requires male therapists to be very careful. I know of multiple incidents where a therapist's penis and testicles have ended up in the hand of a client—some by accident and others on purpose. When I owned a school, this happened to a young male massage student by accident—just once, for a moment—but it was still profoundly disturbing to the client. The student was totally unaware that it had happened until the client reported the incident to his supervisor. In a special meeting facilitated by the school, the soon- to-be-therapist apologized profusely to the client. In order to prevent accidental contact with the therapist's genitals, a client who is lying prone can drop her arms over the side of the table or place them under her hips while the practitioner works on her back (Image 8). Light Touch Light touch is also something to be aware of. The following story explains the problematic path to which it can lead. About 40 years ago, in the early years of owning a massage school, I began encountering students whose male clients at the practice clinic repeatedly got erections. The students were disturbed that this kept happening— they had no sexual intent—and they reached out for help. 4 I was called in by the clinic supervisor to figure out what was going on with these particular students. 7 8 A B M P m e m b e r s e a r n F R E E C E a t w w w. a b m p . c o m / c e b y r e a d i n g M a s s a g e & B o d y w o r k m a g a z i n e 61