Its so depressing being a male client at times. :cry:
Whenever I go for a massage I always remove my underwear - I find it much more comfortable and it means the therapist doesn't have to worry about grabbing underwear and moving it out of the way.
My two fave areas to be massaged to have a massage completed with are my stomach and my hands - love a hand massage! Personally I find I carry my stress and tension in my stomach, if I'm stressed I have really bad panic attacks. The stomach massage, if done well and properly, is one of the most nurturing and powerful parts of a massage.
Unfortunately when massaging the legs by avoiding the top of the thighs and buttocks two of the biggest groups of muscles are being left out! I have a lot of guy clients who are very active sporty guys. If I didn't give their legs a full, deep massage they wouldn't come back - that is one of the most common areas to be treated.
When receiving your client (male or female) it is important to set out a very clear contract for the treatment. You need to understand what the client wants - there is nothing worse for me then massage by numbers. You need to understand the outcome they want - how do they want to feel at the end of the treatment - Energised? Refreshed? Chilled out? You need to find out what particular areas / muscle groups of the body they want worked on. You need to be clear on what you won't be treating or doing. You need to explain your draping technique.
Be aware of your surroundings, be vigilante for suspect clients - don't treat them, but don't assume every client (I've had male and female want extra's) is after sex. If you do your focus during the treatment won't be on the client and the outcome they want, it will be on getting rid of them as soon as possible and they client won't experience the power of touch and healing through the superb massage you can offer.
Really hope this hasn't come across too ranty - its just a frustration and passion of mine! I'm actually trying to work out if I can put together a workshop for therapists about the pre- and post- treatment of clients, to ensure your safety, to help you find out just what a client wants, to help them receive the most amazing treatment and to help them realise just how amazing your massage really was.
Mat