What Should You Do If You Think You've Had an Inappropriate Massage?

One of the most popular blogs on the Oasis Massage website is What Exactly Counts as Inappropriate Behavior? In that 2015 post, I discussed inappropriate behavior from the massage therapist's perspective and what types of client behavior may cause a therapist to end a session or refuse future services.

The fact that people continue finding and reading that post years later tells me there is still a lot of confusion about professional boundaries in massage therapy. 

As I've reflected on that article, I've realized it only addresses one side of the conversation.

Many of the people finding that blog may not be massage therapists at all. They may be clients who recently had a massage experience that left them feeling uncomfortable, confused, embarrassed, or unsure whether what happened was appropriate. They may be wondering if a therapist crossed a line, if a particular technique was normal, or whether they should report what happened.

Those questions can be difficult to answer because not every uncomfortable massage experience is misconduct. Sometimes there is poor communication. Sometimes expectations are not clearly discussed. Sometimes a therapist performs clinically appropriate work but fails to explain what they are doing. Unfortunately, there are also situations where professional boundaries are genuinely violated.

This post is intended to help clients understand the difference.

A Note About My Role
At the time of writing this article, I serve as a Board Member for the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Massage Therapy.

This article represents my personal educational perspective as a licensed massage therapist and business owner. It is not legal advice, regulatory guidance, or an official statement from the Board.

Board members are subject to conflict of interest laws, confidentiality requirements, and legal recusal obligations. If a complaint involves a therapist, business, colleague, client, friend, or any matter where impartiality could reasonably be questioned, Board members may be required to recuse themselves from discussions, investigations, votes, or disciplinary proceedings.

Nothing in this article should be interpreted as advice regarding a specific complaint or pending matter before the Board.

What Is Normal During a Massage?
Massage therapy is healthcare. 

Licensed massage therapists assess and treat soft tissue dysfunction, movement restrictions, pain patterns, and stress-related tension using hands-on techniques. Depending on the therapist's training and your treatment goals, sessions may involve work on:

• Neck and shoulders
• Low back
• Hips
• Gluteal muscles
• Hamstrings
• Pectoral muscles
• Forearms and hands
• Feet and calves

Many of these areas can feel vulnerable. Some are located near sensitive anatomical structures. That alone does not make treatment inappropriate. The question is whether the work was clinically justified, properly explained, professionally performed, and conducted with your consent.

Understanding Scope of Practice
A massage therapist's scope of practice is focused on soft tissue assessment and treatment.

Massage therapists do not:

• Diagnose medical conditions
• Prescribe medication
• Perform surgery
• Provide chiropractic adjustments
• Offer psychotherapy
• Engage in sexual services

The therapeutic relationship should always remain professional.

A massage therapist may be friendly, compassionate, and supportive. They should not blur professional boundaries by introducing sexual behavior, romantic advances, coercion, manipulation, or exploitation into the treatment relationship.

Understanding Informed Consent
One of the most important concepts in healthcare is informed consent.

Before treatment begins, you should have a general understanding of:

• Why treatment is being recommended
• What areas may be addressed
• What techniques may be used
• Any risks or discomforts associated with treatment

Consent is not a one-time event.

You have the right to ask questions at any point during the session. You have the right to decline techniques. You have the right to refuse treatment in a particular area. You have the right to end the session entirely.

A professional therapist should respect those decisions without argument or pressure.

Understanding Draping
Massachusetts massage therapists are expected to use appropriate draping to protect client privacy and dignity.  Only the area being worked on should be exposed. Different therapists may use slightly different draping methods depending on training, treatment goals, and positioning. However, appropriate draping should never leave a client feeling unnecessarily exposed.

If a therapist intends to work in a potentially sensitive area, such as the gluteal muscles, hip flexors, or pectoral region, they should explain what they are doing and why.

You should never be surprised by exposure.

You should never feel pressured to allow treatment in an area that makes you uncomfortable.

When an Experience May Be Uncomfortable But Not Inappropriate
Not every uncomfortable massage experience is misconduct.

For example:

• A therapist may use deeper pressure than you expected.
• A therapist may fail to explain a technique clearly.
• A therapist may begin working on an area you did not anticipate.
• A therapist may communicate poorly about treatment goals.

These situations are not ideal. They can leave clients feeling confused, disappointed, or uncomfortable.
However, they may represent poor communication rather than ethical misconduct.

Consider this example: A client presents with low back pain. The therapist determines that the gluteal muscles are contributing to the problem and begins treatment there without adequately explaining why. The client may leave feeling surprised or unsettled.

That is a communication failure. The therapist should have explained the treatment rationale and obtained clear consent before proceeding. Poor communication deserves improvement. It does not automatically indicate inappropriate intent.

When the Situation May Be More Serious
There are circumstances where concerns go beyond communication problems.

Potential warning signs include:

• Sexual comments or jokes
• Comments about your body unrelated to treatment
• Requests for dates or sexual contact during treatment
• Touching intimate areas without a legitimate therapeutic reason
• Intentional contact with intimate areas
• Inappropriate draping
• Ignoring requests to stop
• Continuing treatment after consent has been withdrawn
• Behavior that feels sexual, coercive, manipulative, or exploitative

Massage therapy should never include sexual conduct. 

A therapeutic setting should never be used to pursue romantic or sexual interests.

What If You're Not Sure?
Many people leave an appointment thinking: "I don't know exactly what happened, but something didn't feel right."
That uncertainty is common. 

If you're unsure, consider asking yourself:

• Did the therapist explain what they were doing?
• Did I understand why they were working in that area?
• Was appropriate draping maintained?
• Did I feel free to say no?
• Did the therapist respect my boundaries?
• Did the discomfort come from surprise or from the therapist's behavior?

Writing down your recollection soon after the appointment can be helpful. Details are often easier to remember immediately than weeks or months later.

What Should You Do Next?
If you believe the issue was primarily a communication problem, you may choose to:

• Speak with the therapist
• Contact the clinic owner or manager
• Request clarification
• Seek treatment elsewhere

If you believe professional boundaries were violated, consider:

• Documenting what occurred
• Preserving any relevant communications
• Contacting law enforcement if you believe a crime occurred
• Filing a complaint with the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Massage Therapy

Not every complaint results in discipline. Not every concern involves misconduct. However, regulatory agencies cannot investigate issues they never learn about.

Trust Your Instincts
As massage therapists, we often tell clients to pay attention to what their bodies are telling them. That advice applies here, too.

An uncomfortable treatment does not automatically mean something inappropriate happened.

At the same time, you do not need to talk yourself out of legitimate concerns. Professional massage therapy should leave you feeling respected, informed, and safe. Good therapists welcome questions. Good therapists explain their reasoning. Good therapists respect boundaries.

If something felt off, ask questions.

If your boundaries were crossed, report it.

You deserve ethical, professional care every time you get on the table.