Pressure and Massage  Should a massage hurt? No. My philosophy about pressure during a massage is simple. It should not hurt. The pressure may feel uncomfortable but not painful. If the pressure is more than uncomfortable, it is up to the client to inform their therapist immediately. You should not have to grit your teeth or hold your breath to "get through" a massage. Modesty and Massage An issue that persists in the field of massage is one of modesty. Some people are uncomfortable with the idea of being in their undergarments or nude under a drape with a therapist for the first time. This is a very normal way to feel. I believe that clients should be allowed the option to remove as much clothing for a massage as they are comfortable (if that means fully clothed, sobeit). I always explain to new clients that they will be under a drape and that drape will always cover their breast tissue and genital area. I recently had a conversation with a new client regarding draping. She informed me that during her very first massage she was undraped to her waist while she was lying on her back. She felt very uncomfortable with this and was reluctant to try massage again. This experience was 25 years ago. I want to tell everyone who has had a similar story. It is your massage experience, you dictate how much clothing you remove. If you are uncomfortable at any point, you have the power to say, "no".