If you are seeking a personal massage performed by a man, contact us.
One way to find such therapists is to look on sites with local listings and resources such as this one.Įxpress your interest in on site massage One-on-One Male Massages Men who identify as gay may prefer an LGBTQI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, or Intersex) therapist. We understand that some men prefer a man to perform massage work on their bodies. It’s my allegiance to the gym that forces me to deal with our awkward situation-a release-crazy massage guru and a former client weathering the uncomfortable silences of a not-so-happy ending.We offer massages for men looking for a male massage therapist. We don’t make eye contact, though I think I can feel his cold glare. I still belong to the gym, and I still see Hans, hovering in the doorway of the massage room. So, while Hans’ offer was flattering, it left me wanting to swaddle myself in pleated Dockers while guzzling pitchers of warm Schlitz in a sports bar. A bit of unwanted male attention is the price we pay for being just gay enough. That we even use the term “flat-front trousers” is evidence of the sexual-orientation vagueness we seem to emit. And in fairness to Hans, I should admit that I fall into the “straight but gayish” camp: men who, while sure about our heterosexuality, gravitate toward mid-century modern design, opera and flat-front trousers. In the end, Hans’ offer felt presumptuous and objectifying-but I also know that that’s slightly disingenuous because, had it been a cute woman, I would have faced a tough choice. Perhaps, as massage therapy goes mainstream, it’s simply harder for the agencies charged with governing its practices to keep a watchful eye. Hans, it seemed, was working off the books.Īnd while the “release” or “happy ending” is quite common in certain corners of the massage world (Asian parlors are particularly famous for it), one doesn’t generally expect it at an upscale Manhattan establishment.
When I got home, I checked out the Web site of the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB), a not-for-profit whose mission is to “foster high standards of ethical and professional practice for therapeutic massage and bodywork professionals.” My research yielded no mention of the “release” as a current standard or recommended procedure. But then Hans might be fired or disgraced professionally. I could complain to the management, demand my money back and, possibly, score some gym-based perks as payment for my trauma (free Cliff Bars for life?). I took a long shower and considered my options. When it was over, I walked out quickly, thanking Hans under my breath. The massage went on for another 10 minutes. I was vulnerable, and Hans seemed to sense this. I could no longer pretend I couldn’t hear him. Now Hans was working on my front side, so he was able to speak directly to me. But through a mix of dexterity and towel origami, I was able to make the turn relatively smoothly.
The flip-over is always tricky, particularly when all that separates you from full exposure is a rag the size of a postcard. I was put more at ease when he moved to my shoulders, safely away from the more vulnerable territories to the south. It didn’t, and he continued chatting as he kneaded his way up my thighs, his fingers dancing dangerously close to the unauthorized no man’s land. I mumbled responses-I’m a writer and a comedian, usually I didn’t know I had abductors-hoping my terseness would put a damper on his curiosity. “What do you do for a living?” “Do you stretch after you exercise?” “Do you know how tight your abductors are?”
I did my best to ignore him, but the questions kept coming. Hans, however, was unnaturally talkative for a man whose livelihood involved rubbing naked flesh. For me, it’s become the equivalent of air travel or medical exams: I rely on it, but I tend to want the procedure to be over relatively quickly, and I can’t be bothered with idle conversation. An estimated 35 million Americans spend roughly $3 billion annually on visits to massage practitioners, totaling 75 million visits each year. Massage therapy, once an indulgence of the country-club set, has become the Starbucks of the bodywork world.