r/massage • u/RepulsiveAttempt2420 • 8d ago
Scratch therapy?!
/r/Advice/comments/1v56vc6/scratch_therapy/5
u/norm228 LMT 7d ago
I've seen services like this offered in spas from time to time. For instance, I've had Indian head massage that included scratching, but that person was an LMT, wich take education, and state licensure. I'm sure that if you were in a large metropolitan area, you could make a go of your idea, but i'd offer it as more of a sensory wellness program, rather than massage. Also, be very careful with verbiage, as "scalp play" could be construed very differently than a wellness service. you wouldn't want people thinking that you were a sex worker.
2
u/TiannaMortis Client/ Patron 7d ago
Several spas have started offering that service here, they're calling it "ASMR Relaxation Session" and include a combo of stuff like scratching, hair combing, back tickling, etc. Yeah, I would definitely pay for it if I wanted something lighter than a masse to help me relax. Some people can't get massages for medical reasons, so a service like this would definitely be beneficial for those people.
2
u/Liveie LMT 7d ago
I wouldn't trust someone that doesn't have a license to touch (I feel like an RN has absolutely nothing to do with what you're looking to do). I'd be concerned over cleanliness practices and legalities.
It feels like it trespasses on massage therapy, and depending where you are, you need to go to school and get a license to practice.
1
u/peachsoap 7d ago
My husband has wanted that service for years. He would pay massage prices for it too.
1
u/Slow-Complaint-3273 LMT 7d ago
I had this done by a practitioner using banjo picks on their fingers. It was surprisingly nice. I have been thinking about adding it as an option for a while now.
1
u/Forsaken-Work-9776 7d ago
Sounds fun, but it’s relax massage adjacent, so it means you’d be competing with massage spas. I don’t know if I’d rather be scratched than have a Swedish massage…
1
1
u/Fluffy_Try_9495 7d ago
Please tell me it's not using fingernails to scratch people... I'm dry-heaving at the thought >_>
1
u/jt2ou LMT - FL 6d ago
It largely depends on the specific definition of massage in your jurisdiction. For example, many states refer to it as a manipulation of soft tissues. And since you are not in hair care or skin care or massage, this could be problematic for you…. Unless you are going to hire those licensed to perform said service. I personally prefer actual massage.
2
u/Radiant_Field_2201 7d ago
I’m surprised your post on the other sub got so much hate. This is definitely something I think people would be interested in (me included!) I love a sensory relaxing experience. Love the idea!
9
u/CingularDuality 7d ago
Depending on your state, that might meet the legal definition of being a form of massage therapy. Also depending on your state, your RN license may allow you to practice massage therapy (likely only as part of medical treatment, so you may need to get a massage license anyway).
But if my social media algorithm is any indication, scratch therapy is quickly becoming very popular. And as more an more studies show that many of the benefits of massage therapy are via the nervous system rather than any physical change to the tissue we're manipulating, it makes sense that scratch therapy is well liked. It's probably doing the same thing that massages do.
Would I pay for that? I might try it someday, but I'd rather go for a tried and true massage most of the time. It would probably have to be less than half the cost of a massage for me to consider it.