THERAPIES & TRADITIONS · GUIDE
What to Wear to a Massage and What Draping Means
What to wear to a massage and what draping means: your choices about clothing, how sheets are used for privacy, and what a regulator's standard says about boundaries.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Back to Massage & BodyworkWhat "Draping" Means
Draping means using a sheet or towel to cover the parts of your body that are not being worked on. In the Ontario regulator's standard, the therapist drapes securely with material that provides an effective visual barrier, setting clear physical boundaries between areas being treated and areas not being touched. [3] The same standard says that areas not being treated should not be visible, except the shoulders, arms, hands, neck, face and head. [3]Do I Have to Undress?
No rule says you must. In the Ontario standard, the therapist must always drape the patient unless the patient arrives in clothing suitable for the treatment and prefers to stay clothed. [3] The therapist should talk through draping and clothing options with you and consider your needs, views and preferences. [3] CMTO also lists among patient rights the right to decide how much clothing to remove and what body parts get worked on. [2]This is the rule of one regulator, in Ontario, Canada. The sources we read do not describe the rules for every state or country, and we have not read a US state board's draping rule for this page. Ask the person you are booking with how it works.
What to Wear: Practical Points
The sources we read give no list of recommended clothing, so these are options rather than rules:- Undressing to your comfort level: you choose how much clothing to remove. [2]
- Staying clothed: the Ontario standard allows this if your clothing suits the treatment and you prefer it. [3]
- Asking before you arrive: ask whether the session is done through clothing or on bare skin, and what you will be covered with.
The therapist is expected to find out whether you want touch directly on skin or through a cloth barrier such as a sheet or your clothing. [3] The therapist should also explain how best to prepare, including how to position yourself. [3]
Privacy and Boundaries in the Standard
The CMTO standard sets out several protections. These are examples from one regulator:- Sensitive areas are never exposed without your informed consent. [3]
- Therapists must not reach under draping or clothing without explicit consent. [3]
- The genital area and gluteal cleft must be protected from exposure, and the therapist must never touch the genitals or anus. [3]
- Therapists must allow you to bring another person to the appointment if you ask. [3]
The standard also says the therapist should recognize the power imbalance in the relationship and manage it. [3] If you need accessibility adjustments, or prefer to limit exposure, the standard says the therapist should offer options, such as care through clothing or without touch. [3]
If Something Feels Wrong
You do not have to explain or argue. You can say stop, ask for a change, cover yourself, or leave. CMTO says patients can stop treatment or request changes at any time, for any reason. [2] Our page on boundaries, misconduct and reporting covers reporting routes. For trauma-informed touch, see massage with a trauma history.Related Reading
Frequently asked questions
What should I wear to a massage?
The sources we read give no required outfit. In Ontario, you choose how much clothing to remove, or you can stay clothed in clothing suitable for the treatment. [2] [3]
Is it normal to be covered with a sheet?
Under the Ontario standard, yes. Therapists drape securely and uncover only the area being worked on, apart from the shoulders, arms, hands, neck, face and head. [3]
Can I keep my underwear or clothes on?
In the Ontario standard, you decide how much clothing to remove. [2] The therapist should ask whether touch is on skin or through cloth. [3]
Can someone come with me?
In Ontario, yes if you request it. [3] Other places are not described in the sources we read, so ask when booking.
What if I feel uncomfortable?
You can say so, ask for changes or stop. CMTO says you can withdraw consent at any time. [2] A therapist who does not respond is a reason to end the session.
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Safety First
References
- NHLBI, Venous Thromboembolism: Symptoms (last updated September 19, 2022). Read 2026-10-22.
- College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (Canada), What to Expect When You See an RMT. Read 2026-10-22.
- College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (Canada), Standard of Practice: Professional Boundaries, Draping, and Physical Privacy (updated September 8, 2026). Read 2026-10-22.