Message Therapy vs CC Cuddle Sessions

dennis22554dennis22554
in General

I think I joined CC for the same reasons as many--the lack of basic human touch---something I didn't realize how it important it was until reaching some of the darkest days of my life (positive people always recover)! Initially--when I started my path to brightness--I knew CC existed--I started by scheduling non-sexual massages think at least not only to help my back pain--it would be a partial solution to my absence of human touch--it wasn't the temporary solution I was seeking. Neither can solve all issues, However--CC sessions are more empathetic consequently the non-sexual touching is more genuine and there seems to be true benefit for both the PRO and the client. More so with repeat sessions when the two connect on a personal level that takes more than one session to establish. To clarify---CC is NOT a dating site. I personally have no expectation for a PRO t run off with me into the sunset only for to be eaten by vampires! But CC is much more than a niche as it is a business that truly provides a valuable service including the mental therapy benefits helping clients with self-image. Now you can throw rocks at me!

Comments

  • dennis22554dennis22554

    excuse the typos--hopefully the basic point comes across--but to clarify I believe CC is much more than just a "cuddling service" In that with the right PRO-client relationship----it can provide unadvertised mental health therapy benefits, including self-esteem. It certainly not just a "niche" site and will become more popular with time once more people discover its treasures!

  • MorpheusMorpheus

    For me, massage and cuddle sessions are very different. I get massages to get my body right. I don’t get massages for the touch aspect of it. During cuddle sessions, I prefer to be the nurturer so touching to me matters far more than being touched. In a massage session, there’s very little touching on my part. The touching is all done by my massage therapist. All of that being said, I’ve had the same massage therapist for years and she’s the only one I see. We have an amazing rapport with each other. Massage therapy takes far more knowledge, education and practice than cuddling does so I’m far more picky with who I will pay for a massage. I’ve had bad massages before but haven’t had a bad cuddle session.

  • dennis22554dennis22554

    my apologies--see the clarification post

  • MarigoldBloomMarigoldBloom

    Here’s a woman’s perspective. And yes, I know you didn’t ask…I’m a much-older female and I’m a newbie here. I like reading threads for men’s perspectives on CC. Before this, I hoped professional massages and mani-pedis plus sweet hugs from kids and female friends would be enough. But it’s not the same..and for me, not enough. I need that feeling of being safe, protected, content that only comes from being wrapped up in the arms of a good man who laughs easily and listens when I speak, but is brave enough to say ‘shh, enough talking , let’s just be quiet together’. Potential CC cuddlers are all strangers to me, so I will only cuddle with a guy who has strong boundaries; he may want more, but is at peace with not getting more.. And I’ve met one great cuddler (yes, I took that lwap of faith and am very glad I did), and plan to meet another next month. Which may be enough to last me several months, or years. So I wish I could post this anonymously because I have ‘an elegant sufficiency’ at the moment, as my grandmother used to say about pastries, and I am NOT trolling. And I’ll be cursing myself if posting this unleashes even more maybe-nice but clueless 18-35 year-olds to jam my inbox with unwelcome ‘wanna cuddle tonight?’ messages.
    Best wishes to the CC guys who understand. Keep the hope alive!

  • RumbleHoneyRumbleHoney
    edited July 2024

    I use all types of touched based therapy. I have cats and dogs whom I cuddle with daily. I visit, care for, and ride horses. I own a massage table and offer massages to my elderly mom, my best girlfriends, and even the occasional guy friend. I go and receive professional massages. Pedicures are a part of my monthly routine. There’s a little bit of romantic dating peppered into my life. But my favorite therapies are the hair salon or someone touching my face with either a gentle facial, putting make-up on me, or even having my face painted at a fair. I think having my face painted is my favorite feeling. Even with all these ways I have found comfort, I still want more connection.

  • TheFunCartelTheFunCartel

    @RumbleHoney I love your answer because it shows a small portion size of the infinite ways people receive touch. Every individual is different but consent is central to all touch regardless of what kind of touch is being suggested.

    @dennis22554 I think the only correct answer is three C’s—communicate, consent and confirm:

    Communicate what your needs or wants are.

    Consent must be given and denials must be respected.

    Confirm with them what they consented to as a matter of clarity and mutual understanding.

  • dennis22554dennis22554

    @funcartel ...I appreciate the response--and will state I am always respectful---at the top of the post--I wrote a clarification statement---what I was really trying to call out is the unadvertised mental therapy assistance CC PROS and CLIENTS can provide each other in some PRO-CLIENT sessions---cuddling not only provides physical benefits---it also provides mental (self esteem issues, etc) that are equally as valuable---having half a brain--I blew the topic's point prior to an immediate clarification posting nevertheless--I have been reading replies finding them interesting.

  • TR23TR23

    I’m a huge fan of massage. I have a membership for monthly credits that carry over each month if not used. I deal with a lot of pain for multiple reasons. It is one of the few blocks on the schedule that I genuinely look forward to.

    With that said, very different natures of touch.

    In a massage, the only touch I initiate is gentle high fives before and after, along with using arm arm and hands to help me up from laying down.

    With cuddling, even with pros there is an element of mutual touch and comfort. Very different focuses though. Cuddling is to feel a closeness with touch which is relaxing mainly mentally or emotionally. Massage is touch designed to bring about relaxation or relief physically.

    As much as I like the idea of more frequent massages or cuddles, I think combining the two sets the stage for boundaries to be crossed.

  • JoyfulHeartJoyfulHeart
    edited July 2024

    As much as I like the idea of more frequent massages or cuddles, I think combining the two sets the stage for boundaries to be crossed.

    I agree

  • SunsetSnugglesSunsetSnuggles

    @dennis22554
    I definitely agree that cuddling involves more empathy than a massage typically would. Massage therapists are trained to perform a sort of clinical health benefit. Cuddlers on this site require no training, but the mere act of cuddling is inherently affectionate, which massages are not. It makes perfect sense why people would connect quicker, and more deeply, with a cuddler, than with a massage therapist. Though, as Morpheus pointed out, many people build great friendships with their massage therapists, as well. It can be just like going to see the same hairdresser for years, as RumbleHoney also mentioned. 💇🏻‍♀️

    Where it seems clients have to be careful is to make sure they don't get overly attached, or have misunderstandings about the nature of hiring a Pro cuddler. This seems to happen quite frequently, because cuddling is so close and affectionate...but never forget that with a Pro, you're paying for it. It may feel genuine, and that Pro may certainly care about you, but at the end of the day, they are running a business.

    Regarding your other comment, "niche" is not a put-down; it only means that in the grand scheme of hobbies and ways that people connect, cuddling with strangers or paying for cuddles is something that few people know about, and many do not understand, when they do hear about it.

    To put it in perspective, I ran some rough numbers, and it appears only 0.001% of the population of the entire state of Wyoming is interested enough to have sought out a site like this, registered here, and visited within the past month.

    I'm a vegan, and we know vegans are a tiny fraction of the population... Studies vary, but show we make up 1% to 4% of the global population. So yes, cuddling through sites like this is very niche with a rough example of 0.001%...but we all hope that it becomes more and more well-known, accepted, and popular, given that we all enjoy its benefits, so much!

    That said, self-esteem should come from, as implied...the self. If it comes from others, others can take it away. I'm not denying that cuddling can boost morale, but be careful of relying on cuddles for self-esteem, especially if it's leaning heavily on one Pro, because unfortunately, that carpet could be yanked out from under you very quickly. 🫂

    ~ Sunset Snuggles

    🦄 Enthusiast 🏞 Travel Fiend 🐘 Animal Lover

    Happy summer vibes! 🐬 🎹

  • MarigoldBloomMarigoldBloom

    @SunsetSnuggles
    Beautifully written post! I appreciated the statistics; a new perspective. And yes, I’m hoping that more & more people become aware of, approve of, and join sites like CC.

  • dennis22554dennis22554

    @thoughtful reply! To give further clarification.people on their own have to solved their own problems........... sometimes CC can help...I am only saying it's a nice bonus when help is given. Genuinely the term niche is but I've seen it used in a derogatory sense here often.finally I would say there are times when the pro doesn't know they are helping if client doesn't share..... never the less.... the help is always appreciated

  • ecuddlebliss21ecuddlebliss21

    @dennis22554. Receiving a combination of full body, true Deep Tissues massage and Thai Massages really revitalizes my body. Then add the CC’s mental therapy benefits to further help with self-images.
    Reflexology is time consuming, and I had to do on my own with tools. It’s important to communicate ‘real-time feedbacks’ with the Reflexology giver; enabling them to provide a positive full body, stimulating nervous system experiences.

  • Notacat1Notacat1

    Massage therapy.. cuddle therapy.. massage therapy with cuddles.. cuddles with a massage therapist. I feel like the two things can be independent of each other but I feel like the lines really do blur a lot.. all in all it depends on the person but I def feel the is a hybrid approach to some of these sessions

  • HoosCuddlingHoosCuddling

    I think the hybrid massage/cuddle session can be really enjoyable, if done properly. I've had sessions like this a few times. The provider needs to respect the client's modesty, by treating the two services different. Ideally, massage should be on a massage table, while the cuddle can take place on a couch or bed, to provide some separation.

    Also, generally people are mostly or completely undressed for a massage (but draped). When I've had this experience, the person leaves the room while I undress for the massage and get under the sheet, and then at the end leaves again while I get redressed in comfy clothes for the cuddle.

    I agree that there is some risk of inappropriateness when combining these two services, but a conscientious cuddler and client can take steps to eliminate that risk.

  • dennis22554dennis22554

    I give up

  • cuddlefaerycuddlefaery

    While there absolutely can be great mental/emotional benefit to getting one's touch needs met and from participating in platonic cuddling, it can be a bit of a slippery slope between people using it as adjunct treatment to medical mental healthcare and them using it as a substitute for getting adequate care.

    Historically, men have utilized their intimate connections with women as their sole form of therapy - which puts a lot of strain on those women and on the relationship. This is what we call emotional labor, where one person depends on another in order to process their own feelings. Our partners are rarely well equipped enough to help us do all this labor and while some pro cuddlers do have the training and drive to provide more help in this area, it's important to recognize that it is often outside of the scope of platonic cuddling.

    You wouldn't go to general practitioner for complex specialist medical needs - so too should the division between what pro cuddlers can do and what is under the purview of medical professionals. I think while it's important to recognize the many benefits of platonic cuddling, it's equally important not to place unsolicited emotional labor on pros or cuddle partners in general, as that is not their specialty.

  • dennis22554dennis22554

    no one person can solve the problems needs of another --its up to them to solve their own---but along that journey actions maybe take, sometimes unwittingly, that enlighten the road to recovery----for that there is always gratitude----don't know how to state it simpler

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