You've all been to a massage before when the therapist says "get undressed to your level of comfort and get in between the sheets. I'll be back soon!" or some variation. Having the sheets and blanket can feel very comforting, but RMTs in Ontario have specific protocols when it comes to draping that you might not be aware of. By applying secure draping procedures, it creates a physical boundary while maintaining your comfort level. It helps to create and maintain trust in the professional relationship by protecting your privacy and safety. If these measures are not taken, it can put the therapeutic relationship at risk for a boundary violation, and lead to some uncomfortable situations.
What sort of things to RMTs need to be mindful of when it comes to draping? If you have been following my blog for a while, you'll know that I talk a lot about communication. And this is no different. RMTs need to discuss with you how to get set up for your assessment and treatment, as well as what areas on your body the therapist will be applying manual techniques. This includes if you need to get undressed, and how to do so. Usually an assessment can be done through the clothes and the treatment is done on the skin. However, your therapist will review this with you before they begin and if you aren't comfortable with what they propose, you can tell them and they will go over your options.
Once a drape has been secured, the RMT must ensure that you feel comfortable and secure. This is to help you as the client to feel safe. This physical boundary is a way that you know where your therapist will be massaging and where they will not. The drape will be monitored so that it stayed in place. If it becomes undone, the therapist will explain what happened and re-secure the drape.
Most treatments will only have one area of the body undraped and treated at a time (with the exception of the head and neck). There are two instances where multiple areas can be undraped: 1) to help with temperature regulation if you get to warm (the arms, feet, and/or back) can be undraped, and; 2) if techniques are being applied on both sides of the body (for example manual lymph drainage). But in both instances your RMT will discuss it with you. If at any point you have questions or concerns, your therapist will be happy to address them. I hope this article helped you to learn why draping is so important for your treatments so that you feel safe and secure during your session. Thank you for stopping by today and I hope you have a great day!
Reference:
Maintaining professional boundaries and preventing sexual ... CMTO. (n.d.). Retrieved November 15, 2021, from https://www.cmto.com/assets/2019/11/Standard-for-Maintaining-Professional-Boundaries-and-Preventing-Sexual-Abuse-FINAL-revised-Nov-2019.pdf.