Erection During a Massage: Causes and What to Do

Let us tell the truth—getting an erection during a massage can be strangely disconcerting or even a bit shameful. If this has happened to you, you are certainly not by yourself. It is a more common phenomenon than people are willing to discuss, and in many circumstances it is completely normal. However, when lying on the table trying to unwind, the last thing you want is to become hyperaware of what is going on around you. 

What causes this condition, and what are some ways to handle such circumstances without blowing things out of proportion? Let us break this down.

First of all, Yes – Erection During a Massage is Completely Natural

Massage therapy stimulates relaxation. It relieves muscle tension, stress, and induces tranquility. That tranquility can further lead to relaxation responses in the body like an erection, particularly when there is a calm state of mental relaxation.

Erections are not always the result of sexual activity. In fact, they may occur for reasons completely separate from sexual attraction or arousal. He or she experiences and maintains an erection as a reflex response from the autonomic nervous system, the same system that controls functions like heartbeat and digestion. Even when the body is professionally massaged in a non-erotic manner, it may still respond to the state of relaxation with an erection.

Reasons Why One Can Have An Erection During A Massage Session

Let’s analyze the common reasons:

Increase In Blood Flow

Massage helps increase blood flow to all parts of the body, including the pelvic region where blood flow may give rise to an erection even without sexual stimulation being present.

Relaxation and the Parasympathetic Response

An individual’s body goes into full ease mode which makes the parasympathetic nervous system kick in allowing the body to slow down any high levels of tension. This system, better known as the “rest and digest” mode, greatly increases the chances for an erection to occur because the body is in a relaxed state.

Skin Sensitivity

Soft-skin contact at certain body parts such as the inner thighs and lower back can be very responsive to some individuals and cause a physical reaction even if the action is not provocative.

Mental Wandering

Let’s accept one fact – if you are recumbent for 60 or 90 minutes, there is a high possibility that your thoughts are going to stray. It is possible for you to think of something completely different from the massage which might make you feel tensed.

What to do if you get an erection during a massage

Now comes the big questions – If you do get an erection during a massage, what are the possible ways to reduce its mental effects?

Keep Relaxed

This is either serious or a little blank. Your massage therapist has come across this situation before. Actually, always the trained professionals know that this is bound to happen and will not make a big fuss regarding it. The best approach in this scenario is staying relaxed.

Minimal Effort

Do not apologize or make unnecessary turns in your seating arrangement in an effort to conceal the situation. Most therapists will indeed ignore the event and continue with the session. Making it an issue will cause pieces of matters that do not need to be difficult become overwhelming.

Mental Redirect

For those, including yourself, who are feeling the self-conscious urge to overcome it, shift your focus elsewhere. People tend to tune out to avoid the attention, which ultimately becomes the goal, and that is wherever you divert makes the subside occur instantly.

Modify Your Posistion (If Necessary)

If the erection is making you physically uncomfortable, you may gently adjust your position on the table. Most massage therapists will honor your boundaries and steer clear of the areas that seem to be eliciting this reaction.

What Should Not Be Done

This section is just as important. Massage therapists are trained professionals with set boundaries within which to operate. Here is what not to do:

• Do not conclude that the therapist is in any way suggesting something sexual.
• Having a physical reaction does not imply that there was any inappropriate action taken during the session.
• Do not act upon an erection or engage in masturbation.
• Doing so would completely disregard professional lines and could lead to being expelled from the session and potentially face legal issues.
• Do not make lewd comments or jokes.

Making comments attempting to alleviate an “excessive awkwardness” is unnecessary and can make the therapist uncomfortable, which is crossing the line.

How Therapists Deal with It

Massage therapists have undergone sufficient training in such matters. Most will just go on with the session or modify the massage to lessen focus on sensitive areas if they notice an erection. In rare cases where a client becomes inappropriate, therapists have every right to discontinue the session.

Rest assured, your therapist most likely will not be offended if this occurs as long as you exhibit respectful conduct.

Should You Be Worried?   

Generally speaking, not really. An occasional erection during a massage falls under the category of natural bodily functions. It is perfectly acceptable for your body to do what bodies do. No shame in wondering about your wellbeing if you feel excessive devastating thoughts in a non-sexual context that is distressing or moderately invasive.

Final Thoughts   

Erection during a massage should be regarded in approachable terms that do not induce negative stress. Be accepting of the fact that these things happen. What is most important is how you address things – with maturity, respect, acknowledgment that this is a natural and automated response. Massage and the concept behind it as an exercise, a wholesome health experience for your body is meant to be a calming and soothing encounter, hence, one moment of awakeness should not strip away from the massage experience. 

The next time you are fully positioned on the massage table and your body unexpectedly responds, give yourself permission to remember that it is absolutely okay to breathe, relax, and know you’re human.