Can a Massage Therapist Massage the Groin Area? A Professional Guide from The Mark of Massage

At The Mark of Massage in Castle Rock, Colorado, I’ve been providing safe, ethical, and personalized therapeutic massage since 2004—specializing in deep tissue, sports massage, trigger point therapy, Esalen, prenatal, hot stone, structural integration, and more. One question that comes up from time to time (especially from active clients dealing with sports injuries, tightness from hiking/skiing, or everyday strain) is: Can a massage therapist work on the groin area?

The clear, professional answer: No, a licensed massage therapist should never massage or touch the actual groin/genital area (including genitals, pubic region, or anus). This is a strict ethical, legal, and safety boundary in the massage therapy profession. Touching these private areas is prohibited and considered sexual misconduct, which can result in license revocation.

That said, work on the inner thigh muscles (like the adductors)—which are near the groin but not in the genital region—can be appropriate in specific therapeutic contexts, but only with clear communication, informed consent, proper draping, and when there’s a legitimate need (e.g., adductor strain, tightness from sports, or injury recovery). This is not standard in most relaxation massages and is handled with extreme care.

Key Professional Guidelines and Boundaries

•  The genital/groin area is off-limits: Professional standards from organizations like the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) and state licensing boards state that therapists never touch the genitals or come within 2–3 inches of them during a typical session. This protects client safety, comfort, and trust.

•  Inner thigh (adductor) work is sometimes included therapeutically: For issues like groin strains, tight inner thighs from running/lifting, or sports recovery, a trained therapist may address the upper inner thigh muscles. This requires:

•  Explicit verbal (and often written) consent upfront.

•  Explanation of why it’s needed and how it will be done.

•  Secure draping—using a sheet or towel to cover private areas fully, exposing only the specific muscle being worked on (e.g., “diaper drape” or leg positioned with knee bent and externally rotated for access while keeping everything modest).

•  Professional positioning—client may hold/cover sensitive areas or adjust for safety.

•  In most cases, it’s avoided: For general relaxation or non-specific sessions, therapists focus on outer thighs, hips, lower back, or glutes (draped appropriately) to relieve related tension without approaching sensitive zones. Many chains/spas limit inner thigh work to midway between knee and groin.

How This Applies at The Mark of Massage

Since I focus on therapeutic work (e.g., sports massage, deep tissue, trigger point for athletes or those with chronic tension), I may discuss inner thigh/adductor work if it’s relevant to your needs—like post-hike soreness or strain. But I always:

•  Ask about your comfort and boundaries first.

•  Get clear consent.

•  Use full, secure draping (you’ll stay fully covered except the exact area treated).

•  Prioritize your privacy and safety—whether in-home (mobile within ~30 minutes of my Castle Rock home office at 216 Douglas Fir Ave, 80104) or in my private lower-level space (fully secluded sessions, with occasional family sounds from upstairs outside the room).

If you’re unsure or prefer to avoid the area entirely, just say so—I’ll tailor the session accordingly. Your comfort is non-negotiable.

If you’re dealing with groin/inner thigh tightness or pain, let’s talk about safe, effective options during booking. Therapeutic massage can help release tension and improve mobility without crossing any lines.

Sources for Verification (based on 2025–2026 professional guidelines, ethics resources, and industry standards):

•  AMTA (American Massage Therapy Association): Never touch genital area; upper inner thigh work only with explicit agreement, injury-specific, and secure draping (https://www.amtamassage.org/publications/massage-today/appropriate-guidelines-massage/)

•  Ben Benjamin Ph.D. (expert in massage ethics): Drape should cover upper 3–4 inches of inner thigh; never cross boundary except for trained therapeutic work on injury with consent (https://benbenjamin.com/how-high-is-appropriate-to-massage-on-the-upper-inner-thigh/)

•  NYX Collection & Osteopathy Oxford: Groin/genital area not massaged normally; inner thigh/adductors possible therapeutically with consent, draping, and no genital contact (https://nyxcollection.com/blogs/news/can-a-massage-therapist-massage-the-groin-area-1; https://www.osteopathyoxford.co.uk/blog/can-a-massage-therapist-massage-the-groin-area)

•  Reddit r/massage community (therapist discussions): Consensus on proper draping, consent, and using anatomical terms (e.g., “adductors”) for inner thigh work to maintain professionalism (various threads, e.g., 2020–2025)

•  CMTO (College of Massage Therapists of Ontario) & similar boards: Effective draping to protect genital area; never expose or touch genitals/anus (https://www.cmto.com/rules/standard-of-practice-draping-and-physical-privacy/)

Your safety and trust are my top priorities—hope this helps clarify things! Ready to book a customized session? Contact The Mark of Massage today. 😊