I hear it all the time. New clients often ask me if it’s appropriate to go naked during a massage, or if they should keep their undergarments on. In truth, there are many factors that go into answering this question. 

For starters, it depends on the type of massage you are getting! If it’s a traditional full body table massage where sheets are used, then the short answer is YES, go naked! If it’s a Thai massage or a sports massage, then you’ll need to keep your clothes on, as there are no sheets to cover you. 

But in general, I encourage all of my clients who come to me for table massage to remove all of their undergarments and get naked.

Here’s why: 

Most women understand that if they want their back massaged, they’ll need to remove their bra to avoid oil or lotion damaging it and also so that the therapist can get to their back. But many people, men and women alike, are often modest when it comes to removing underwear. I’ve had clients say they didn’t want to offend me by getting naked. Trust me, you’re not going to make your massage therapist uncomfortable if you don’t wear underwear. We see naked people all day. It’s our job! We see the body in a therapeutic way, not a sexual way. 

A good therapist will always cover you, making sure to drape appropriately so that no bits hang out, and making sure to only uncover the part that they are working on at any given time. The main reason I recommend client’s remove their underwear is that underwear often covers a significant portion of the lower back, buttocks, and sometimes even the legs. Well, if you have lower back or hip pain, there goes the majority of the area that needs to be worked to relieve it! 

While buttocks are often sexualized in our society, it’s important to realize that the glutes are the largest muscle group of the body! They need to be worked as they are the middle ground between the back and the legs. You’re doing yourself a disservice by skipping over this large and important part of the body. 

Yes, those areas can be worked through the sheet with the use of acupressure, compression, stretching, or other techniques, but it won’t be the same. If you want to feel significant relief, you will do best by removing any undergarments and going naked. This is because the therapist can strip the muscle more effectively using oil or lotion directly on the skin, feeling into the specific areas that need to be released, working the muscle from different ways, and maximizing the effect of the massage. 

Another reason is that wearing undergarments inhibits the flow of the massage by requiring the therapist to stop where they normally wouldn’t. This leaves some areas out and can often leave you feeling incomplete. 

If you’re a female and on your menstrual cycle, then you will understandably want to keep your underwear on. Or perhaps you have another personal reason to stay covered up. If your modesty just can’t be overcome, and it makes you feel safer to keep your underwear on, by all means, do what makes you the most comfortable. 

At the end of the day, there is no right or wrong answer to the question of going naked during your massage. You’ll still get a good massage if you’re not naked. But, if you haven’t tried going naked yet out of pure modesty alone, I highly recommend you get out of your comfort zone and give it a try! You may just be pleasantly surprised!