> I also get really mad when people who I'm not comfortable with decide it's okay to touch me. I've harboured grudges over this for weeks. "He touched me! Augh!"
> >
> > Sundragyn.
>
> Working in massage therapy, I have no problem touching other people or being touched---if one of us is on the massage table at the time. Otherwise, I don't like anybody touching me unless we have a close relationship. Unfortunatly, people who study therapy or healing in any form are most likely to be touchy-feely people, and my classmates/teachers/collegues often ambush me with hugs. Hugs are great, sure, and I can appreciate that they're just being friendly. [...]
>

Ah. You know, massage as a sports therapy technique seems to carry great weight with many athletes. I recall that during several past Olympic Games, the *first* person the medallist would thank would sometimes be the athlete's personal masseur! And I know my spouse Dave appreciates it greatly whenever he's feeling tired or under the weather.

I don't know why all the books, in the store, on giving therapeutic touch seem aimed at massage for women recipients. The publishing editors must think their readers are idiots, who'll buy the books purely for the sensual titillation. Bah. Dave prefers his back to be massaged "until your hands go right through the sternum," i.e., a HARD kneading, practially like Rolfing, I guess. I use my knuckles, the side of my fists, my balled-up palms and the top part of my forearm/elbows to apply varying pressure. He seems to like it, but I'm a little concerned I might be hurting him inadvertently.

Wolf "follows the Anne Landers precedence -- personally I like cuddling" spirit