Tickle therapy

[damdu]

why do people spend money on tickle therapy when they can ask someone they know to tie you up and tickle you or you can go to a studio that will pay you for it

 

[Soles_Scream]

Not sure it’s a thing, but intent would be my guess. Kind of like how we don’t imagine a massage therapist doesn’t have a fetish for massaging

 

[Just That Darn Ticklish]

why do people spend money on tickle therapy when they can ask someone they know to tie you up and tickle you or you can go to a studio that will pay you for it

Well I mean. For me, I don't have the personal connections or know how I would go about getting involved in modeling. Though I'd like to.

As for the friends thing. At least for me. The conversation to ask my friend to do that for me would be insanely awkward. My friends do not know my kinks. And if they did, I don't think I'd go through with the conversation unless we were REALLY close. Known each other for years close. Even then, probably who knows?

 

[WickedTouch]

While in principle I think I like the idea of tickle therapy, I'm somewhat dubious of it. It seems to be an extremely rare, unregulated profession that uses more language found within the kink-centric tickling communities over more academic or clinical language. I don't at all doubt that any form of human touch can be therapeutic to certain individuals, but I do raise my eyebrows at the use of the word therapy for this, as I do with many things where it seems to be used to overcapitalize on the vague sense of clinical implications with little or no data-driven approach.

Setting aside any intended or unintended implications of therapy or clinical significance, tickling means a lot of different things to different people. For many, it's an especially intimate act where they would be very selective about who they want doing it to them. For some, friends are a fun option, but for others, it just makes it overwhelmingly awkward and unenjoyable. Many relationships are built within certain contexts and boundaries (e.g. a good friend doesn't necessarily make a good business partner). As far as studios, there is of course the interpersonal preference part I just mentioned, but also many don't want to be featured in content. People want to be tickled in a way that they personally enjoy. It's not a perfect analogy, but if you replace tickle therapy with getting a massage, it might make more sense. Some people are totally fine with their friends doing it to them, while others would feel weird about it. Much fewer would want to be recorded in a studio getting a massage, even if paid to do so. But a lot of people feel much safer and in control with the idea of doing it in a designated professional environment detached from public judgement and risk of changing friendship dynamics. And just the same as with the idea of tickle therapy, there are still some that feel less comfortable in that environment and would prefer something different.

 

[hopefulscrambl]

I think that if you are seeking tickling as a form of therapy, you probably don't want some random person doing it in general. I don't much about the therapeutic use of tickling, but I imagine it's probably not tying you down and going ham.

Like immersion therapy. A therapist exposing you to your phobia in a controlled manner can be helpful, but me just locking you in a room full of spiders is probably not going to do anything.

 

[WickedTouch]

Like immersion therapy. A therapist exposing you to your phobia in a controlled manner can be helpful, but me just locking you in a room full of spiders is probably not going to do anything.

That's a good example! Though, I'm sure it would do something...just not the intended outcome! 🤣

 

[Miss Ticklish]

In my experience, people have two tendencies. The first one is to avoid trying new things because it would mean leaving your comfort zone, so you feel safer when you stick to the things you're familiar with. "New" is sometimes "scary" to people, hence they may just ignore it or hate on it/make fun of it. The other one is to constantly seek new options/activities/whatever because you get bored easily and you're thirsty for adventure, diversity and the increase of adrenaline and dopamine that comes with it. To those people, the new is exciting, they're curious about it and want to explore it. I myself am a part of that second group, so I guess I would want to try tickle therapy (regardless of whether it's actually therapeutic or not) just to see what it really is, what it looks like, how it works and, obviously, to derive a certain kind of pleasure from this. Hope it answers your question. Long story short: People try what they want to try and they may want it for a variety of reasons, like curiosity, pursuing dopamine or just craving for some tickles.

 

[SoleMates]

why do people spend money on tickle therapy

"tickle therapy" is not a thing. There's a handful (less than 5, iirc) fetish models/studios that figured out that people would fork over money for videos featuring this scenario so they play it up in their marketing. That includes that one place in Spain or whatever that people keep bringing up. It's not what you think it is.

when they can ask someone they know to tie you up and tickle you

clearly, if this was an option for most people you wouldn't be asking this question, no?

or you can go to a studio that will pay you for it

This is a very rare possibility for all sorts of reasons and is mostly limited to female clients (dudes don't sell content unless it's for the gays and most sub men are not gay) and the number of female clients who would theoretically want this sort of "therapy" is, again, way overblown by the aforementioned marketing pushes.

I'm noticing a trend with you, dammy. You have a hard time telling fiction from reality, don't you?

 

[aberdeen]

In my experience, people have two tendencies. The first one is to avoid trying new things because it would mean leaving your comfort zone, so you feel safer when you stick to the things you're familiar with. "New" is sometimes "scary" to people, hence they may just ignore it or hate on it/make fun of it. The other one is to constantly seek new options/activities/whatever because you get bored easily and you're thirsty for adventure, diversity and the increase of adrenaline and dopamine that comes with it. To those people, the new is exciting, they're curious about it and want to explore it. I myself am a part of that second group, so I guess I would want to try tickle therapy (regardless of whether it's actually therapeutic or not) just to see what it really is, what it looks like, how it works and, obviously, to derive a certain kind of pleasure from this. Hope it answers your question. Long story short: People try what they want to try and they may want it for a variety of reasons, like curiosity, pursuing dopamine or just craving for some tickles.

I have had many discussions (obviously not a research study, but anecdotal) with Lees who deeply desire more regular tickling than they can receive thru their friends or partners...whether lack of interest from the intended Lers of lack of skill...But many of these Lees admit to having depression, bipolar tendencies, or some type of neurodivergent issues (Autism, ADHD They mention that tickling helped with their meds to keep them more balanced and functional.
The chemicals as you mentioned released by tickling could be beneficial...And when I say tickle therapy, I mean starting out with more or less a gentle ASMR type of foot massage...then at person's request. advance to more intentional tickling (but not like "here is your therapy room" --and it looks like a roomful of stocks and dungeon equipment!..). I used this ASMR technique on women over the years and it was a nice way to provide a nice bit of 'safe' touch therapy to their feet or backs....then if they enjoyed the 'gentle tickly feeling'....I'd ask permission to add more pressure and sometimes more overt tickling....some wound up in fun tickling sessions and returning multiple times...some even agreed to allow their limits to be tested by using bondage. But by then, we had a lot of mutual trust built up.
I was always careful and cognizant to not test clothing boundaries (ie I never tried to 'sneak' under a swimsuit item or under a pair of shorts or inside a waistband...never tried to 'hit on' the girls while under my touch therapy sessions.
We have over time become taught to avoid touching others even in almost all instances, even when the situation actually warrants a true platonic hug or squeeze of a hand ....so I understand the hesitation of many when speaking about touch or tickle play therapy...But I am confident that if more ppl indulged in such therapy, there would be due less drug use, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, and maybe even physical abuse or other violence.
But Miss Ticklish did state it correctly...some ppl will try things new and different ..... some won't no matter what...😊

 

[Miss Ticklish]

I have had many discussions (obviously not a research study, but anecdotal) with Lees who deeply desire more regular tickling than they can receive thru their friends or partners...whether lack of interest from the intended Lers of lack of skill...But many of these Lees admit to having depression, bipolar tendencies, or some type of neurodivergent issues (Autism, ADHD They mention that tickling helped with their meds to keep them more balanced and functional.
The chemicals as you mentioned released by tickling could be beneficial...And when I say tickle therapy, I mean starting out with more or less a gentle ASMR type of foot massage...then at person's request. advance to more intentional tickling (but not like "here is your therapy room" --and it looks like a roomful of stocks and dungeon equipment!..). I used this ASMR technique on women over the years and it was a nice way to provide a nice bit of 'safe' touch therapy to their feet or backs....then if they enjoyed the 'gentle tickly feeling'....I'd ask permission to add more pressure and sometimes more overt tickling....some wound up in fun tickling sessions and returning multiple times...some even agreed to allow their limits to be tested by using bondage. But by then, we had a lot of mutual trust built up.
I was always careful and cognizant to not test clothing boundaries (ie I never tried to 'sneak' under a swimsuit item or under a pair of shorts or inside a waistband...never tried to 'hit on' the girls while under my touch therapy sessions.
We have over time become taught to avoid touching others even in almost all instances, even when the situation actually warrants a true platonic hug or squeeze of a hand ....so I understand the hesitation of many when speaking about touch or tickle play therapy...But I am confident that if more ppl indulged in such therapy, there would be due less drug use, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, and maybe even physical abuse or other violence.
But Miss Ticklish did state it correctly...some ppl will try things new and different ..... some won't no matter what...😊

I'm glad you brought ADHD up because it's my diagnosis actually🤣 I wouldn't say tickling strengthens the effects of my meds, they may get that feeling because tickling itself increases the levels of those chemicals, so if you combine it with meds, you may feel much happier than if you were tickled solo or if you only took your meds. That doesn't mean tickling has a direct impact on the substance you take, you just have a double effect that you would get even if, instead of getting tickled, you went to the gym and did a, let's say, strength training. ^^ The description of the tickle therapy session is well-written and it helps me imagine what it's like for real, so thank you for so many details! About the last assumption you made - I wouldn't go that far and say that there would be less violance or addictions etc., those who are violent oftentimes get diagnosed with personality disorders, sometimes it's NPD (narcissistic personality disorder), sometimes it's BPD (borderline), the other times it's ASPD (anti-social personality disorder) and those are also a kind of neurodivergence because their brains are wired differently and there's plenty of research to prove it. Addiction, in turn, is officially recognized as mental illness, so here we also have a different functioning of a brain. To sum up - I don't think it would be that easy. But those are great thoughts, thank you! 😀

 

[aberdeen]

You make some very good points...I may not have worded it as aptly as you did (and you did and do a great job of explaining the meds and interaction with tickling...My compliment to you is true 😊...just to be clear 😊). I think the Lees I mentioned probably meant that tickling helps the exogenous chemicals by releasing the body's own endogenous compounds and that is what I was trying to say, but you did a much better job of it!
The main point I wanted to stress was that for many people whether they have a true diagnosis or are in this modern age, simply touch starved bec of our tendency to avoid contact at all cost....and Yes I get the reasons...there are instances where ppl are not being honest and genuine, and have ulterior motives or agendas...so no you cant just walk up and offer tickling as a therapy... without some education and vetting first...
But thats true with all the touch based therapies...massage...physical therapy, nursing and doctor exams...you do have to be sure to be professional and serious when offering to perform any of those actions methods...But I know we could accommodate tickling in the same fashion if we cared enough to do so. The problem is we as a society have wrapped tickling into an automatic association with sexual activity and while it CAN be,,,it doesn't HAVE to be ...hence my illustration of how I turned an opportunity into some great memories of a lifetime (for all parties involved), just by being honest and trustworthy!

In any event, thanks for the good input on the topic! I am a big proponent of 'touch therapy' in simple every day life. When my wife was alive, I tried to always make sure on arriving home that she didnt just get the perfunctory kiss from her husband (me) but I would make sure to make touch a regular practice ..a touch on her back or hip as we passed in the kitchen, sitting hip to hip side by side on the couch while watching television...foot massages and back massages with "no strings attached ".....it is remarkable what good feelings of warmth and value can be maintained by such simple things...

 

[Miss Ticklish]

You make some very good points...I may not have worded it as aptly as you did (and you did and do a great job of explaining the meds and interaction with tickling...My compliment to you is true 😊...just to be clear 😊). I think the Lees I mentioned probably meant that tickling helps the exogenous chemicals by releasing the body's own endogenous compounds and that is what I was trying to say, but you did a much better job of it!
The main point I wanted to stress was that for many people whether they have a true diagnosis or are in this modern age, simply touch starved bec of our tendency to avoid contact at all cost....and Yes I get the reasons...there are instances where ppl are not being honest and genuine, and have ulterior motives or agendas...so no you cant just walk up and offer tickling as a therapy... without some education and vetting first...
But thats true with all the touch based therapies...massage...physical therapy, nursing and doctor exams...you do have to be sure to be professional and serious when offering to perform any of those actions methods...But I know we could accommodate tickling in the same fashion if we cared enough to do so. The problem is we as a society have wrapped tickling into an automatic association with sexual activity and while it CAN be,,,it doesn't HAVE to be ...hence my illustration of how I turned an opportunity into some great memories of a lifetime (for all parties involved), just by being honest and trustworthy!

In any event, thanks for the good input on the topic! I am a big proponent of 'touch therapy' in simple every day life. When my wife was alive, I tried to always make sure on arriving home that she didnt just get the perfunctory kiss from her husband (me) but I would make sure to make touch a regular practice ..a touch on her back or hip as we passed in the kitchen, sitting hip to hip side by side on the couch while watching television...foot massages and back massages with "no strings attached ".....it is remarkable what good feelings of warmth and value can be maintained by such simple things...

You know, I have to say I love your attitude towards the issue. Also, I believe in the "magic" of touch therapies, just like you. That's probably why I chose to be a masseur. Have a great day! 😊

 

[WickedTouch]

A quick thought on the mental and behavioral afflictions that were mentioned, while I agree that more touch probably wouldn't solve all, (or even perhaps most) of them, there is evidence that some of those, or conditions like them that share their tendencies, develop or worsen in childhood circumstances where physical and emotional relations are poor or absent, to include affectionate physical touch. So I suppose in that sense it's theoretically possible to mitigate development of certain types of negative behavioral traits, and possibly treat them at some level with regular positive forms of touch. In any case, if found to be effective, it would probably be best to combine with multiple clinical approaches rather than leaning on the single modality of touch.

You know, I have to say I love your attitude towards the issue. Also, I believe in the "magic" of touch therapies, just like you. That's probably why I chose to be a masseur. Have a great day! 😊

I agree. @aberdeen is one of the very few who has shifted my thinking somewhat on the idea of professional tickling. Just to be clear, I would probably try tickle therapy if I didn't already have other outlets, but without any expectations on specific therapeutic claims outside of what I already know it does for me. I think the only thing I don't like about it is with it being labeled as therapy. Because it's completely unregulated and with its boundaries and methods being inconsistent and undefined, I feel like most of them are going to be a dungeon under the guise of a clinical space, taking advantage of unsuspecting people. If it were a more regulated profession, I'd feel much more comfortable with that label, I think.

 

[Miss Ticklish]

A quick thought on the mental and behavioral afflictions that were mentioned, while I agree that more touch probably wouldn't solve all, (or even perhaps most) of them, there is evidence that some of those, or conditions like them that share their tendencies, develop or worsen in childhood circumstances where physical and emotional relations are poor or absent, to include affectionate physical touch. So I suppose in that sense it's theoretically possible to mitigate development of certain types of negative behavioral traits, and possibly treat them at some level with regular positive forms of touch. In any case, if found to be effective, it would probably be best to combine with multiple clinical approaches rather than leaning on the single modality of touch.


I agree. @aberdeen is one of the very few who has shifted my thinking somewhat on the idea of professional tickling. Just to be clear, I would probably try tickle therapy if I didn't already have other outlets, but without any expectations on specific therapeutic claims outside of what I already know it does for me. I think the only thing I don't like about it is with it being labeled as therapy. Because it's completely unregulated and with its boundaries and methods being inconsistent and undefined, I feel like most of them are going to be a dungeon under the guise of a clinical space, taking advantage of unsuspecting people. If it were a more regulated profession, I'd feel much more comfortable with that label, I think.

Yeah, in that sense it could impact people's well-being positively, I was only talking about the "hardcore" mental cases ^^ I mean, I myself come from a broken place, so I know that tickling is a great way to feed my emotional appetite, whether it's done playfully or in a kinky way with bondage involved - it doesn't matter, I enjoy all the settings. But as I said, violence and addictions are much tougher to handle and they're shaped by much deeper factors, hence couldn't be solved with tickling. Issues like ACoA where it's not as much about violence (although it potentially could be) as it is about feeling emotionally neglected, so they need affection etc., to satisfy their needs and hunger for deep, safe relationships that they didn't have in childhood. Those who have attachment issues could surely benefit from tickling, I agree ^^

 

[hefophre]

why do people spend money on tickle therapy when they can ask someone they know to tie you up and tickle you

The same question could be asked, why do people spend money on massage therapy or massage when they can ask someone they know to do it?

Many people are alone and do not have someone to ask
Many people do not have someone they know who will want to do it, or do it well, or for long enough
They may be looking for someone who can do a more thorough job

or you can go to a studio that will pay you for it

People may not want to be featured in content to be posted online

 

[aberdeen]

A quick thought on the mental and behavioral afflictions that were mentioned, while I agree that more touch probably wouldn't solve all, (or even perhaps most) of them, there is evidence that some of those, or conditions like them that share their tendencies, develop or worsen in childhood circumstances where physical and emotional relations are poor or absent, to include affectionate physical touch. So I suppose in that sense it's theoretically possible to mitigate development of certain types of negative behavioral traits, and possibly treat them at some level with regular positive forms of touch. In any case, if found to be effective, it would probably be best to combine with multiple clinical approaches rather than leaning on the single modality of touch.


I agree. @aberdeen is one of the very few who has shifted my thinking somewhat on the idea of professional tickling. Just to be clear, I would probably try tickle therapy if I didn't already have other outlets, but without any expectations on specific therapeutic claims outside of what I already know it does for me. I think the only thing I don't like about it is with it being labeled as therapy. Because it's completely unregulated and with its boundaries and methods being inconsistent and undefined, I feel like most of them are going to be a dungeon under the guise of a clinical space, taking advantage of unsuspecting people. If it were a more regulated profession, I'd feel much more comfortable with that label, I think.

First, thanks for being able to discern my intentions as being true and honorable (in that tickling could be a 'professional' therapy ..just like others that have been mentioned. One point I do want to make clear is that when I mentioned touch/tickle/play therapy as a clinic setting..I meant a well lit, actual clinical setting in which the therapy offered (ie soft touch...to soft tickling ...to possibly more) would be discussed just like any other treatment...with an idea of what to expect and what benefits there might be. Yes the problem with mainstreaming this 'therapy' is the fact that there will be the inevitable jerks that use it as a way to surprise someone into a borderline situation. That is exactly what I had to avoid with the young women I first convinced to allow me to do the light tickling (and that is what I told them it would be). As I mentioned, it was a byproduct of just become friends and applying sunscreen ...and happily, it progressed from there! Even as we all decided to increase the intensity of the tickling and add bondage (to thoroughly test the Lee's limits)...it was always above board, consensual, and a really fun time! Trust and freindship was high and my behavior was impeccable. I know that in my heart and mind...tickling will never become a mainstream practice like massage , chiropractic, or salt room therapy...bec we have too many centuries of treating tickling as only a byproduct of a sexual fetish, and kept in the dark and behind closed doors. But I know from the people I've met who enjoyed the light touch and some that wanted outright tickle torture...You can enjoy tickling without sexual overtones...
And if you meet up with someone who wants tickling /as part of the sexual menu so to speak, you can accomodate that as well...(My first college GF)...its just like any other situation in which you need to communicate each others wants, desires, and needs.
I do appreciate the current environment of the TMF members bec of how we all can actually have these type of discussions and everyone can stay on topic and not automatically go down the sexual fetish/kink trail when discussing tickling. Tickling is a wonderful and fun activity for those who want to explore and share it, and we should be able to discuss the tickling fixation without falling into HS drama or high hormone games.. And for the most part...that is the case...I appreciate everyone's attitude very much!