The use of sheets or towels to maintain client modesty during massage.
Draping refers to the practice of covering the client's body with sheets or towels during massage, exposing only the area currently being worked on. Proper draping maintains client modesty and comfort, demonstrates professional standards, and is a fundamental aspect of ethical bodywork practice. Different modalities have different draping conventions.
Knowing what draping means makes it easier to talk with a masseur before the session starts. Mention it during the intake conversation if it matters to you — a professional male massage therapist will explain how it fits the modality you booked, adjust pressure or positioning around it, and tell you honestly when a different approach suits your body better. You will find the same vocabulary used across our massage service pages, our wellness guides, and the NYC neighborhood pages, so the terms you learn here carry over to booking a real session.