in the past , i used to eat ecstacy and lsd at parties and get massages ALL THE TIME.
i mean, none of these people were professionals, obviously, but i never was harmed, nor were any of my friends.
i think its all in good judgement.
if someone looks intoxicated, use your noggin, go really light , or dont do it at all.

also, u have to remember that u are a professional.
who knows if something COULD go wrong?
then, u are held liable.

anyone else?? its a good question

~kim

I massage people at a dinner club, and sometimes at big dance parties. At the dinner club, people I massage have been drinking with their dinner all night and are obviously affected by it by the end of the night. I'm sure people have been on other drugs and it wasn't as obvious. I trust my intuition - and I have liability insurance. I don't worry about it too much, unless it is obvious that they are on something. Most counterindications have more to do with a sick, frail, or injured person than they have to do with a healthy person, even under the influence of substances. Usually what is going to happen is that someone will have temporary muscle soreness rather than actual injury from asking to get more pressure during the massage than they otherwise would. The massages I do are for 15 minutes, which, I think, has less potential for injury than a full hour massage.

If you're more concerned about liability, depending on your set-up during festivals, you can make people fill out release forms which specifically ask them if they are under the influence of alcohol or any other drugs and which advises them that it is not recommended that they get a massage until they are sober. I personally don't have release forms and it would be totally impractical to use them in the situations where I work, but if you have a massage tent or booth, that might be a good idea. Does anyone else here use release forms?

I have been doing Festival Massage for the last 10 years. What I do is ask every single person what they have taken in the last 12 hours. To make them feel more comfortable, I even include asprin in to the question. I assure them that I really do not care what they have take, I am not the police, I just need to know how to perform my massage. Now when they are all strung out I certainly do not touch then, I actually sit them down and talk to them.

Never assume anything when it comes to the festival goers. The LSD that they too 4-12 hours ago is still being sweated thru their pores and you are absorbing it thru yours. The trip can be turned onto you if you are not careful. If you have more questions on this or anything else related to Festival Massage, please e mail me at Massageandbody@aol.com.

I don't believe massage can harm anyone. I through out all that contraindicated stuff a long time ago. I have massaged pregnant women, cancer patients etc... I think it's all in how the persons body choses to react to the energy exchange, everyone is different. However there are some level of toxins released during massage, but it's a good thing, even if it seems bad at the time, it's cleansing. I do believe though that massage is best given when someone is fully aware and in the moment, in order to receive the full benefits. I once massaged a girl from an acid trip when I was much younger, she was extremely terrified from the anxiety of the experience. This was before I was even a therapist. She really just needed some comforting and that doesn't take a professional. We all have the gift of touch.

I have been doing massage -mostly deep tissue - at afterhour parties and in clubs for 10 years.......I am a paramedic as well. I find that the intent to heal or make whole guides my work person to person.

I have used body work combined with talk to bring people down if they are tripping to hard and been able to bring back the "high waves" when they are at the end of the trip.


I have worked on tons of people frying without issue. shrooms and x you can level out to help.

I met my wife in the club scene so I do it to give back to the community that gave her to me.....clubbers or festival hippies need healing even more than people that can pay high dollar. Gotta help keep the party rolling or it all falls apart

If you aren't sure, don't do the massage. You can be held accountable, especially if you work without knowledge. Never do a massage if you are not sure. You are responsible for them. If you don't want to be responsible, work at kmart.