What Parts of the Body Are Inappropriate to Touch During a Massage?
Parts of the body that are inappropriate to touch are:
- Breasts (for everyone, not just women)
- Genitals (private parts)
- Gluteal cleft (that's the fancy name for between your butt cheeks)
These areas stay covered with a sheet during your entire massage. Always. No exceptions. For swedish massage, deep tissues, prenatal, or all other types, we follow the same drapping steps.
In Georgia, if a massage therapist touches these areas, they lose their license permanently and can face legal charges. Its not just frowned upon its actually illegal.
If a therapist ever touches these areas or makes you uncomfortable, you can (and should) stop the massage immediately and report them to the Georgia Board of Massage Therapy.
Got questions about booking your first massage in Athens?
Call The Body Temple Spa at (959) 400-9242. We explain everything before your session starts so your never confused or uncomfortable.
Why These Rules Exist (And Why You Should Care)
My friend Sarah works at the hospital here in Athens and she told me about a patient who went to a sketchy "massage" place and had a horrible experience.
Turned out the person wasn't even a licensed therapist.
Real massage therapists in Georgia have to complete over 500 hours of training - thats like three months of full-time school learning about muscles, ethics, and proper techniques.
Then they take a big state exam before they can work on actual people.
Professional organizations like AMTA and ABMP have super strict codes of ethics.
If a therapist violates these rules, they can't work in the field anymore.
The whole point of these boundaries is to keep you safe and make sure massage stays a legitimate healthcare service that provides real mental and physical health benefits, not something creepy or inappropriate.
At The Body Temple Spa in Athens (we've been open since June 2020), every single therapist is fully licensed and follows all the rules.
We take this stuff seriously because your safety and comfort matters way more than anything else.
What About Areas NEAR the Private Parts?
Okay so here's where it gets a little more complicated and why people get confused.
Sometimes therapists need to work near sensitive areas to fix actual muscle problems. But there's a big difference between working NEAR an area and actually touching inappropriate places.
Your Butt Muscles (Glutes)
Your butt has some of the biggest muscles in your body. When these muscles get tight, they can cause lower back pain, hip pain, and even sciatica (that shooting pain down your leg).
A therapist might work on your glute muscles, but they stop right at the drape line - where the sheet covers you.
They never touch between your butt cheeks or go under the draping.
At our Athens location, if someone needs glute work, we always explain why and ask permission first. Something like "Your lower back pain is connected to tight glute muscles. Can I work on that area?" If you say no, we skip it and try different approaches.
Inner Thighs
Your inner thigh muscles connect to your hip, and sometimes hip pain requires work in this area. But therapists should always ask permission before working anywhere near your inner thigh
.
They'll say something like "I need to work on your hip flexors which are in your upper inner thigh area.
Is that okay with you?"
If it makes you uncomfortable, just say no. A good therapist will find another way to help your hip pain without making you feel weird.
Chest Muscles (Pectorals)
Some people (especially people who sit at computers all day or have shoulder problems) have really tight chest muscles.
Working on these muscles can help with shoulder pain and posture.
But chest work requires clear permission and proper draping technique. The therapist should explain exactly what they're doing and why before they start.
Again - if your not comfortable with it, say no. There's other ways to address shoulder problems.
Your Stomach (Abdomen)
Abdominal massage can help with digestion problems, menstrual cramps, or certain types of back pain. But not everyone wants someone touching their stomach.
Good therapists ask first. If you don't want stomach work, thats completely fine and normal.
How Draping Keeps You Protected
My friend Jessica avoided massages for years because she thought you had to lay there completely naked and exposed. Thats not how it works at all.
Draping means the therapist uses a big sheet to cover your whole body, then only uncovers the one specific part they're working on at that moment.
Here's what actually happens:
Getting Ready:
- The therapist leaves you alone in the room
- You undress to whatever level your comfortable with (most people keep underwear on for their first massage)
- You get under the sheet on the massage table
- You lay face-down to start
During The Massage:
- Only the area being worked on gets uncovered
- If they're doing your back, your legs stay covered
- When they move to your legs, they cover your back back up
- Your private areas stay covered the entire time
Flipping Over:
-When its time to turn from your stomach to your back, the therapist holds the sheet up like a tent
- You flip over underneath the sheet privately
-Your chest and private areas stay covered
-The therapist adjusts the sheet - you don't have to hold it or worry about it slipping off.
What To Do If Something Feels Wrong
This is super important so I'm gonna be really clear about it.
You can stop the massage anytime for any reason. Period.
You don't need to have a "good enough" reason. You don't need to explain yourself. You don't need to feel bad about it.
Red Flags That Should Make You Stop Immediately
- Therapist touches your breasts, genitals, or between your butt cheeks
- They make sexual comments or suggestions
They don't use proper draping
- They pressure you to remove more clothing than your comfortable with
- They get too close to inappropriate areas without asking permission first
- You just feel uncomfortable or get a bad vibe
If any of these things happen, say "Stop. I'm ending this session" and leave as soon as you can. Then report them.
How To Speak Up During Your Session
Even if nothing inappropriate happens, you should still communicate if something don't feel right:
If pressure is too hard: "Can you go lighter please?
" If something hurts: "That area is really tender, can you skip it?
" If you don't want an area touched: "I'm not comfortable with that" If your cold: "Can I get another blanket?
" If you need a break: "I need to use the bathroom"
At The Body Temple Spa, we tell every first-time client: "If anything feels off - even a little bit - speak up right away. We'll adjust immediately and we won't be offended."
Good therapists want you to communicate. We can't read minds and every person's body is different.
What a Professional Massage Actually Looks Like in Athens
Let me walk you through what happens at a legit massage place so you know what to expect.
Before Your Appointment
When you book at The Body Temple Spa, you can request a male or female therapist. Thats totally normal and we don't think its weird.
You fill out a form asking about:
- Any injuries or health problems
- What areas hurt or need attention
- Areas you want avoided completely
- What pressure level you prefer
During Your Session
Your therapist reviews your form and asks questions. This is your chance to say stuff like:
- "I don't want any work on my feet"
- "My lower back is killing me"
- "This is my first massage and I'm pretty nervous"
They explain what type of massage would help you most and answer all your questions.
Then they leave you alone to undress and get under the sheet. When your ready, they knock before coming back in.
The actual massage is usually 60 or 90 minutes where they work on whatever areas you discussed.
You can talk if you want or just relax quietly - either way is fine.
After Your Massage
The therapist leaves so you can get dressed privately.
Then you talk about how you feel and book another appointment if you want to.
Tipping is normal - most people do 15-20% just like at a restaurant.
Our Prices at The Body Temple Spa in Athens
First-Timer Specials:
- 60 minute Swedish Massage: $97
- 90 minute Swedish Massage: $140
- 60 minute Deep Recovery: $125
Regular Services:
- 60 minute Swedish: $120
- 60 minute Deep Recovery: $170
- 60 minute Prenatal Massage: $125
- 30 minute Neck Massage: $70
-30 minute Lymphatic Drainage: $70
Most first-timers start with the 60-minute Swedish cause its gentle and relaxing - perfect for getting used to professional massage without anything too intense.
You Deserve To Feel Safe AND Feel Better
Look, I totally get why your nervous.
Letting someone touch you while your partially undressed with a stranger feels vulnerable.
But here's the thing - professional massage therapy can really help with pain, stress, and just feeling better overall.
The key is finding a legit place with licensed therapists who respect boundaries and make you feel comfortable.
At The Body Temple Spa in Athens, we won Fresha's Best Spa award because we take professionalism seriously.
Every therapist is licensed by Georgia, follows strict ethical codes, and genuinely cares about helping you feel better in a safe environment.
Your allowed to ask questions.
Your allowed to say no to anything that makes you uncomfortable.
Your allowed to speak up if something don't feel right.
And you deserve relief from that neck pain from staring at your computer all day or that lower back pain from sitting too much.
You deserve an hour where you can actually relax and not worry about work or kids or anything else. Professional massage therapy offers real benefits for pain relief, stress reduction, and overall wellness. You deserve an hour where you can actually relax and not worry about work or kids or anything else.
Ready to try a professional massage in Athens?
Call us: (959) 400-9242
Visit: thebodytemplespas.com
Location: 435 Hawthorne Ave Ste 800, Athens, GA 30606
Our Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 8 AM–10 PM
Friday-Saturday: 8 AM–10 PM
Sunday: 8 AM–6 PM
When you call, just mention its your first massage and that you read about boundaries online.
We'll make sure to give you extra time to ask questions and pair you with a therapist who's patient with nervous first-timers.
We're right here in Athens and we'd love to help you feel better - the right way, with full respect and professionalism.