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Spas That Hire Desperately are Often Negligent
published on Friday, November 14th, 2025
Because of the increased demand for massage and the low supply of experienced massage therapists, spas have resorted to hiring massage therapists right out of school. During my 20 years as an expert witness in cases of sexual assault in a massage context, I have found spas that hire desperately are often negligent. […]
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Attention Buttons Help Protect Massage Clients
published on Friday, October 10th, 2025
A version of this article appeared in the May/June 2023 issue of Massage & Bodywork. It has been updated and revised for this blog. Sexual Assault in a Massage Context In 2018, the National Crime Victimization Survey revealed an estimated total of 734,630 sexual violence incidents happening per year. And only 25% […]
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How to Treat Inner Ankle Pain with Exercise (and When to Go to a Pain Professional)
published on Friday, October 17th, 2025
Chronic ankle pain is very common. Inner ankle sprains typically occur in athletic individuals, those who dance, and the elderly. If it’s very severe, the ankle swells, but if it’s not so severe, it can just be painful for a very long time. Today, I’ll discuss how to assess and treat inner ankle pain through […]
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How Can You Relieve Joint Pain in the Big Toe?
published on Friday, October 3rd, 2025
Pain in the big toe is very common and affects millions of people each year. There are many different causes of pain in the big toe, ranging from a fracture of the bone to many forms of arthritis. And if you’re here, you’re most likely wondering, “How can you relieve joint pain in the big […]
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Investigating Sexual Assault Complaints in Massage Businesses and Spas
published on Friday, September 26th, 2025
Today’s topic is investigating sexual assault complaints in massage businesses and spas. When you take on a sexual assault case involving a massage therapist, especially if you have not had this type of case before, it is crucial to discover who conducted the initial investigation. Was it the spa itself, or did they hire an […]
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Why Does My Shoulder Hurt When Hitting Forehands?
published on Friday, September 19th, 2025
If you’ve ever thought, “Why does my shoulder hurt when hitting forehands?” or “Why does my shoulder hurt when I hug my child?” or even, “Why does my shoulder hurt when I throw a ball?”, you most likely have a shoulder injury. Over 50 million people in the United States suffer from shoulder pain at […]
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What Ethics Training Should Spas Provide to Massage Therapists? Part Two
published on Friday, August 29th, 2025
This is Part Two of the topic, “What ethics training should spas provide to massage therapists?” We have established that any business that employs massage therapists should train them in ethics. And that this training addresses any gaps in a therapist’s schooling, as well as acts as an additional screening opportunity against predatory therapists. We […]
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What Ethics Training Should Spas Provide to Massage Therapists? Part One
published on Friday, August 29th, 2025
In any day spa or wellness-oriented business that employs massage therapists, it is imperative that management provides ethics training to its employees. Not only does ethics training bridge the gap from schooling, but it also provides another screening opportunity for any hires with predatory tendencies. Therefore, one key benefit of ethics training for massage therapists […]
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Your Chronic Pain is Likely Not In Your Muscles: Debunking the Myth
published on Friday, September 5th, 2025
When your upper or lower back hurts for an extended period, it’s natural to think it’s a problem in the muscles. After all, when we work out or do a strenuous activity, our muscles are often sore for a few days afterward. But that pain and discomfort generally goes away because muscles have excellent blood […]
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How Can a Massage Therapist Help My Calf Pain?
published on Friday, August 22nd, 2025
If you’ve been experiencing calf pain that doesn’t go away, you most likely have an injury, like a muscle or tendon strain. Maybe you hurt yourself while running, playing a racquet sport, or soccer. The pain might be bearable or it might be debilitating, but either way, you want it treated so that you can […]
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What Are the Standards of Care to Prevent the Hiring of Predatory Massage Therapists?
published on Friday, August 15th, 2025
I have worked as an expert witness in a massage context for the past 20+ years and have encountered a variety of cases involving predatory massage therapists. One thing that almost all of these cases have in common is that the business, whether a day spa or another type of wellness-focused facility, was missing essential […]
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Can a Massage Therapist Help Pain at the Front of the Knee?
published on Friday, August 8th, 2025
If you have pain at the front of your knee that doesn’t go away, it most likely means you have an injury, specifically a tendon injury. Can a massage therapist help with pain at the front of your knee? The answer is yes, massage therapists can definitely help with this kind of pain and […]
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What Are Common Behaviors of Predatory Massage Therapists that Lawyers Should Know?
published on Friday, August 1st, 2025
Understanding and respecting personal and professional boundaries are crucial aspects of massage therapy. A client should never be made physically or emotionally uncomfortable during a massage, so when a massage therapist fails to acknowledge those boundaries, it can lead to serious consequences. When I testify in a massage sexual abuse case, it is not always […]
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Comprehensive Therapist Onboarding is Vital to Keeping Spas and Clients Safe
published on Friday, June 6th, 2025
When a spa organization hires a massage therapist, there are several steps to screen for predatory behavior. As described previously in other blogs, there must be a robust interview process that includes many challenging red-flag questions. There are also license checks, reference checks, and background checks, but one of the most important screening methods occurs […]
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Why Do I Have Pain in the Front of My Hip?
published on Friday, June 13th, 2025
When you have pain in the front of your hip, it’s likely to be one of two problems. If the pain is felt near the surface, it’s probably a strain of the tendon that helps lift your leg. However, if the pain feels deep, it could be an inflammation in the hip joint. […]
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Expert Witness Insight: Common Reasons Why a Massage Client Injury Occurs
published on Friday, May 23rd, 2025
Most therapists sincerely want to help their clients feel better, whether the treatment is about relaxation, a specific injury, or pain. Unfortunately, in my work as an expert witness, I have seen both cases of well-meaning therapists who have seriously injured their clients and poorly trained therapists with big egos who have injured their clients. […]
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How Can a Massage Therapist Help My Outer Ankle Sprain?
published on Friday, May 2nd, 2025
More than 25,000 people sprain their ankles daily in the United States. The most common sprain is on the outer side of the ankle, but it can also occur on the inner side. In this blog, we will answer the question, “How can a massage therapist help my outer ankle sprain?” But first, what are […]
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Can Massage Therapy Help Pain Around the Shoulder Blade?
published on Friday, January 24th, 2025
Perspective of a Massage Therapist Specializing in Pain Rehabilitation As a massage therapist specializing in pain rehabilitation, I’ve seen a wide variety of injuries, and one of the most common symptoms I see is pain in the upper back, especially around the shoulder blade. So, can massage therapy help pain around the shoulder blade? Absolutely. […]
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An Essential Element of a Sexual Assault Prevention Program in Massage
published on Friday, February 14th, 2025
There are many touch points in the hiring process where predator therapists can be identified. But even if an organization has a robust interview process, thorough reference checks, and criminal and predator background checks, some therapists with predatory tendencies will still inevitably slip through the hiring and vetting process. This is why it’s important to […]
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Why Hire Me as an Expert Witness | Dr. Ben E. Benjamin
published on Friday, February 28th, 2025
An Expert Witness for Cases Involving Sexual Misconduct in a Massage Context I have been a massage practitioner for over 60 years, and my CV is more than ten pages, which can be daunting. In light of that, I would like to highlight the achievements I am most proud of and establish why you might […]
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A Spa Business Must Have an Effective Client Survey
published on Friday, January 31st, 2025
In order to perpetuate a team culture invested in sexual assault prevention, where a business and its clients can stay safe, a spa business must have an effective client survey. No one except the client and the massage therapist can know what’s happening in the treatment room, which means businesses must get that information directly […]
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Keep Your Massage Spa or Practice and Clients Safe with an Educational Bill of Rights
published on Thursday, January 16th, 2025
Keep Your Massage Spa or Practice and Clients Safe with an Educational Bill of Rights Day spas, franchises, and massage clinics should educate their clients about what to expect as well as their rights. Creating a client educational brochure or section of a website to inform clients of their rights regarding safety is an important […]
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Massage Therapy Helps Achilles Tendon Pain, Cambridge, MA
published on Friday, January 10th, 2025
The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel of the foot. Together, they create the power of the push-off as we walk. The calf muscles are one of the most powerful muscle groups in the body, and the Achilles tendon is one of the thickest and strongest tendons we have. When you engage the calf […]
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Can Massage Help Shin Splints? Cambridge, MA
published on Friday, December 27th, 2024
Can Massage Help Shin Splints? Shin Splints are a common injury for runners, dancers, and athletes in general. They cause lower leg pain that is hard to overcome because we use those muscles to walk around. The lower leg muscles give up when we ask them to do more than they can manage. What […]
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How to Screen Predators with Robust Verbal and Hands-On Massage Interviews
published on Thursday, January 2nd, 2025
Protect Your Clients and Massage Business From Hiring Mistakes The massage profession is attractive to predators because they can be alone in a room with a vulnerable client who is wearing little to no clothing. That’s why it’s vital for employers to protect their clients and their massage business from hiring mistakes by screening for […]
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Touching the Genital Region is Never an Accident
published on Friday, December 6th, 2024
Touching the Genital Region is Never an Accident Sexual assault is a national and global problem. In the United States, there were over 430,00 sexual assaults in 2023. One in six women and one in 33 men were sexually assaulted in that year. We also know that 70-80% of all sexual assaults are never […]
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Four Unprofessional Massage Therapist Behaviors That Cross the Line
published on Friday, November 29th, 2024
What Every Massage Client Should Know This blog is for anyone who receives professional massage. Every massage client should know what’s okay and what isn’t. You should never be made uncomfortable in a massage session. Understanding and respecting personal and professional boundaries is a crucial aspect of massage therapy. When a massage therapist fails to […]
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Ethical Massage Etiquette: What to Wear During a Massage
published on Friday, November 22nd, 2024
Q: How undressed do I have to be to get a massage? A: As undressed as you feel comfortable being, from full nudity under the drape to wearing all of your clothes If you’ve never had a massage before, you might be wondering what to wear during a massage or what is proper massage etiquette. […]
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The Medication Illusion, Chronic Pain, and Massage Therapy
published on Thursday, October 31st, 2024
The Medication Illusion Don’t be fooled by medication. Pain relief drugs don’t solve the problem; they only sweep it under the rug for a while. Pain is your body sending you a message to pay attention; something is not right, and you need to find out what it is. Medication can help you temporarily while […]
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6 Gateway Areas for Grooming in Massage Therapy Sessions
published on Thursday, October 24th, 2024
6 Gateway Areas for Grooming in Massage Therapy Sessions A regularly scheduled massage is a good way to care for your health. They can be relaxing or help treat injuries you may have. In the United States, millions of safe and professional massages are given every month. Like in any field with direct patient care, […]
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How Can I Avoid an Unsafe Massage?
published on Friday, October 18th, 2024
How Can I Avoid an Unsafe Massage? You might be nervous before your first massage and asking yourself, “How can I avoid an unsafe massage?” Or maybe you had a bad experience and want to know what is unmistakenly considered appropriate behavior and what is not. I can help. The overwhelming majority of massage therapists […]
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Do You Have a Pain in Your Knee?
published on Friday, September 27th, 2024
Do You Have a Pain in Your Knee? Knee injuries are often debilitating and can limit you from doing the things you love to do. Whether it’s playing tennis, running, or just climbing stairs; knee injuries can be painful doing your normal, everyday tasks. Assessing the Pain in Your Knee It can be frustrating […]
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Common Tactic by Predator Massage Therapists: Pelvic Contact
published on Thursday, October 3rd, 2024
Make Pelvic Contact with the Client’s Head or Body A massage therapist should not stand directly above the client’s head when working on the lower back so that the therapist’s pelvis cannot make contact with the client’s head. When working on the client’s lower back correctly, standing at the head of the table can be […]
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Can Massage Therapy Help Your Sprained Ankle?
published on Thursday, August 22nd, 2024
Can Massage Therapy Help Your Sprained Ankle? Ankle sprains are incredibly common. I know. I sprained both of mine when I was in my teens. Each foot has 26 bones and 112 ligaments that hold the bones together. When you sprain your ankle, you generally have injured one of seven major ligaments. We use the […]
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Expert Witness Insight: Working on the Lower Abdomen
published on Friday, August 16th, 2024
Working on the Lower Abdomen Some massage therapists work on the abdomen, but only when requested and for a particular reason. Abdominal massage can be very beneficial for certain conditions. However, the abdomen—especially the lower abdomen—is a very sensual area for most people, so when predator therapists start working on the lower abdomen, they are […]
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Can a Massage Therapist Fix a Frozen Shoulder in Cambridge, MA
published on Monday, July 1st, 2024
Question: Does a frozen shoulder always go away with time? Answer: Often no. The Causes of Frozen Shoulder A frozen shoulder can be incredibly painful. The pain originates in the shoulder joint. A joint is formed where any two bones meet. It’s the enclosed space between your upper arm bone, the humerus, which is […]
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Working On the Chest in Order to Move to the Breast
published on Wednesday, July 31st, 2024
Working On the Chest in Order to Move to the Breast When working on the pectoral muscles, the drape is lowered slightly. The pectoral muscles can be massaged appropriately, working not more than one or two inches below the collarbone. The point is that therapists are trained to work on the pectoral muscles while avoiding […]
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Expert Witness Insight: Touching the Side of the Breast When Lying Face Down
published on Thursday, July 11th, 2024
Touching the Side of the Breast When Lying Face Down I would say that more than 99% of massage therapists are ethical professionals who would never commit a sexual assault on anyone. Massage therapists who are sexual predators are usually male and frequently test and groom the clients they choose to assault sexually. For example: […]
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Can Massage Therapy Help Hamstring Pain Near Cambridge, MA
published on Thursday, July 18th, 2024
Question: Do you think a similar pain in the back of the thigh while running can be attributed to a hamstring injury or a lower back injury? True or False? Answer: True Hamstring Anatomy You have three hamstring muscles in the back of your thigh. Every muscle has a tendon that attaches it to […]
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Massage Therapy for Chronic Neck Pain Near Cambridge, MA
published on Friday, June 14th, 2024
Question: What’s the most common cause of chronic neck pain? Answer: Ligament sprains The Causes of Pain in Your Neck For many reasons, your neck can be painful, but most people are unaware of the most common cause of chronic neck pain. Sprained or severely injured muscles can cause pain in the neck, but muscles […]
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Can Massage Therapy Help Lower Back Pain Cambridge, MA?
published on Friday, May 24th, 2024
Lower back pain is experienced by at least 50 million people each year in the United States alone. My own severe back pain when I was a teenager is what led me into this field. Back pain is often a debilitating, terrible experience. But it can also be annoying and limiting. I’ve treated hundreds of […]
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Expert Witness Insight: When Massage Therapists Work on the Buttocks
published on Friday, May 17th, 2024
When massage therapists work on the buttocks, clear communication is needed so the client feels safe. This area of the body is not usually touched by anyone other than an intimate partner. Consent is Required for Work on the Buttock in Massage Work in this sensitive area necessitates a conversation with the client before […]
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Can Massage Help Pain that Travels? Cambridge MA
published on Monday, May 13th, 2024
Question: Why does an injury to the neck cause pain that travels to the arm and hand? Answer: Referred Pain Pain that travels in your body is called Referred Pain. This phenomenon means the injury is in one place, and the pain is in another. Understanding this phenomenon helps you better understand your body’s responses […]
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How High is Appropriate to Massage on the Upper Inner Thigh?
published on Monday, May 6th, 2024
How High on the Upper Inner Thigh to Massage? The upper inner thigh is one of the gateway areas where predator massage therapists begin their sexual assault. The thigh should be draped so that the pelvis and the inner thigh are securely covered. The drape is generally a sheet tucked under the thigh and […]
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