There’s nothing like a relaxing massage;
plenty of people love feeling the stresses of daily life removed from their
bodies. If you live or work in London, you have a range of options available,
including female or male therapists.
While massage is traditionally associated with
females, the growing popularity of male massage therapists in London is
undeniable.
In this guide, we’ll explore why more men are
choosing the profession and why you might want to book a male therapist for
your next appointment.
Why is there a bias against male massage therapists?
Males still make up a small proportion of
massage therapists worldwide, with research by Zippia revealing
that just 19.4% of massage therapists are male in the U.S.
There’s not much research to tell us exactly
how many there are in the UK, but most websites have plenty of males to choose
between.
Let’s take a look at why previously held
attitudes towards gender are now changing and paving the way for male
therapists.
Safety
Disrobing in front of a stranger can be
daunting for anyone, and the general belief is that women are safer than men.
Some people might feel less threatened by a female therapist, but it’s
important to remember that male therapists are certified professionals.
Getting a massage with a certified specialist
means you can feel safe. After all, their job is to make you feel secure and
provide a professional service.
As long as you choose a reputable massage
provider with the relevant certifications, you won’t have to worry about
feeling unsafe.
Confidence
According to research from AMTA, women are
more likely to get a massage than men, but the gap is relatively small.
However, as more women book massages, it’s easy to see why they might prefer a
female therapist.
Body confidence issues can lead women to feel
worried about whether the therapist will judge their appearance and naturally
feel safer with a female therapist.
In reality, male therapists aren’t there to
judge you, and they’re more concerned with providing the best possible service.
A certified specialist will evaluate your muscles and look for tension - not
critique your underwear or stretch marks.
Both women and men are more likely to look for
a female massage therapist (no surprise there). For women, it might be because
they don’t want a male touching their body, which is a vital component of any
massage—but what about men?
Well, homophobia and the macho male attitude
previously meant many males would shy away from booking a therapist of the same
sex for fear they’d be perceived as gay.
In recent years, we’ve witnessed a sharp
change in attitudes towards sexuality, with an increasingly open society being
less likely to judge someone based on their preferences.
So, maybe more men will be able to book a
massage without the fear of being seen as “gay”. Remember, male therapists are
there to do a job. That’s it. Whether they’re massaging a man or woman, it’s
all about relieving tension.
Care
Bedside manner refers to how healthcare
professionals look after their patients, but many people assume that women have
a more nurturing nature. In some cases, they do, and chatting to a female
therapist while having a massage seems more comforting.
However, massage therapists require a lot of
training and certifications, so they must be passionate about their job. At the
end of the day, getting a massage from a male could lead to fantastic
conversations.
Whether it’s sports, the kids, or just
discussing your worries regarding an injury, male massage therapists offer
support and help you reduce stress or recover fully.
Popular forms of massage performed by male therapists
If you’re considering getting a massage,
plenty of talented male massage therapists in London are ready and waiting for your booking. If you’re unsure
where to start, here are some of the most popular massages associated with male
therapists.
Sports
massage
Sports massages are designed to help the body
maintain optimal performance and ensure athletes recover from challenging
injuries.
Through working the muscles and deep tissue
work, this form of massage promotes healing and can even prevent injuries while
exercising.
Regular sessions allow you to enjoy less pain
and work out for longer.
Swedish
massage
Swedish massages use various specialist
techniques that improve oxygen levels in the blood and promote relaxation.
Using kneading, long strokes, and other techniques, your therapist will work on
your body to remove tension.
Swedish massages focus on the entire body,
including the scalp and neck, so many people find regular sessions enhance
their circulation and boost their overall wellbeing.
Deep tissue
massage
If you work in a highly physical job or deal
with neck and back issues regularly, a deep tissue massage can relieve pressure
and provide some much-needed relief. The technique focuses on removing tight
knots from your body, and your therapist will focus on problem areas.
Deep tissue massages are more intense than
Swedish, which is ideal for recovering from a back or shoulder injury. People
with arthritis often notice their symptoms improve with regular treatments.
Trigger
points massage
Trigger points in the body can cause pain to
travel. For example, problems with a trigger point in your neck might travel to
the back, causing prolonged discomfort. The main idea of a trigger point
massage is to treat these trigger areas before they become serious problems.
When you book regular sessions, it’s common to
experience decreased pain, making trigger point massages one of the most
popular bookings.
Book a male massage therapist today
While male masseuses are less common than
females, they still undergo the same amount of training and must have valid
certifications. When you choose a male therapist, you’re still getting the same
amount of experience, so why not give it a try?
If you’re looking for massage
therapists in London, I Love Massage is
one of the best places to be. We have a range of experienced male therapists
offering professional massages across London.
With an easy booking system and great prices,
you can promote your wellbeing today.