Massage Etiquette & Policies

 It's very important that you disclose any medical conditions you have to your massage therapist BEFORE your session. Because massage/bodywork should not be performed under certain medical conditions, be sure to record all known medical conditions and answer all questions honestly. It is your responsibility to keep the therapist updated to any changes in your medical profile.

 A written physician’s consent will be presented to the massage therapist before massage sessions if I have any serious medical diagnosis or after surgery.  Massage/bodywork is not a substitute for medical examination, diagnosis, or treatment and that I should see a physician, chiropractor, or other qualified medical specialist for any mental or physical ailment of which I am aware. I understand massage/bodywork practitioners are not qualified to perform spinal or skeletal adjustments, diagnose, prescribe or treat any physical or mental illness, and that nothing said in the course of the session given should be construed as such. 

Please be sure to disclose any allergies or skin conditions you might have. The oils, lotions, creams and/or essential oils used by the therapist might give you a reaction if they aren’t aware that something could aggravate your skin. 

Always remember that you have autonomy over your body. It's important to be open-minded to the suggestions of your Massage Therapist but you need to discuss and agree with your Massage Therapist what areas of the body will be worked on for this session. This includes areas to be avoided, indications and contraindications.  You should immediately inform the therapist of any pain or discomfort during the session so that  pressure and/or strokes may be adjusted to your level of comfort.  

Immediately inform the therapist if you am uncomfortable for any reason and remember that you can ask to end the massage and the therapist will end the session immediately. 

Massage Therapist keeps the Client covered with sheets and blankets during full body table massages (unless other accommodations have been arranged between Client and Therapist), and only drapes (uncovers) the area that they are working on.  Draping will be used during every session for entire body and the breasts, genital area, and gluteal cleavage will remain covered at all times. 

 One of the benefits of Massage therapy being a form of healthcare is that Massage therapists follow strict health and hygiene protocols, they maintain a clean environment and clean equipment very frequently.  With Massage Therapy there is also a  professional relationship built on mutual respect, trust, and awareness between the Client and Massage Therapist; hygiene is one the important factors in building this trust between Client and Therapist. 

As a Client you should be aware and considerate about your health and hygiene before your massage session with your therapist. Maintaining proper health and hygiene allows for smooth and pleasant sessions and the ability to receive the type of massage/bodywork that you want. If you are sick, have a fever, rash, intoxicated in any form, have contagious skin condition, have excessive dirt/debris on your body, excessively diaphoretic, or very frequent coughing or sneezing you should reschedule your session for a time when your health/hygiene has improved; your therapist has the right to reschedule and/or refuse treatment if your present with any of these conditions.

 Why does it matter If you have dirt/debris, accumulated sweat, a wart/warts, bruises or open wounds on your body/skin? Dirt,debris and sweat are impurities that can not only can reduce the  effectiveness of the massage but potentially spread bacteria to other areas of your body and to the therapist.  Be sure to cover any open cuts or warts with bandages. Let your massage therapist know where they are so they avoid touching those areas; touching open wounds and warts can cause the spread of infections, bacteria and viruses not only to yourself but also to the therapist.  Maintaining proper hygiene before a massage helps to reduce the risk infection and the spread  of bacteria and viruses between you and the therapist. With both Massage Therapist and Client sustaining proper health and hygiene there is peace-of-mind for everyone!

It's always a good thing to show up to your massage appointment early. It's especially important if you are a first time Client (either in general or to the Massage Therapist that you are seeing) to plan on arriving 15 minutes before your scheduled time so you have time to fill out paperwork and get an opportunity to  have time to relax and not feel rushed going into the session. Massage is all about overall health, wellness and relaxation. 

Be aware that if you ever arrive late to a session you have forfeited the original length of the session (this can vary depending on the therapist and establishment) and most likely you will still be responsible for the full price of the session. Most places have late cancellation and no-show policies and fees, many of which require a 24 hour notice before hand. Many places/therapists do have exceptions to these policies in times of emergencies and other things that can be out of your control. 

 You undress  to your  level of comfort. You get to determine how much clothing you want to remove for the session; if it's a chair massage session you don't need to remove clothing (unless you are wearing a hoodie/jacket). Most people leave their undergarments on or even get completely naked. As we stated earlier, the therapist will be using a method called draping during your session, only areas of the body that are being worked on will be uncovered - one area at a time.

 Bra straps and underwear can get in the way,  especially during working on your glutes and any clothing that remains on during a massage could potentially get lotion, cream or oils on it. There is nothing wrong with keeping some clothes on to protect your modesty.

Massage  therapists see hundreds of bodies of various different shapes and sizes on a regular basis. They aren’t there to judge or look at you in any way other than to evaluate your muscles and connective tissue for treatment and determining what type of massage and techniques would be best suited to help you achieve your health and wellness goals. Massage Therapists just want to help you heal, relax and feel better about  yourself.

What should you wear to a massage? It's best to wear loose, comfortable clothes, like sweatpants, flowy pants/tops, dresses, skirts, athletic shorts,  or baggy T-shirts so it's easy to undress and redress for your massage.   

 Massage Therapy is a form of medical care and is a professional service that is performed in a more intimate environment but that does not give the Client the license to make any illicit, inappropriate or sexually suggestive jokes, remarks, comments or advances. Any such mentioned behavior or action will result in immediate termination of the session, and you will more than likely be liable for payment of the scheduled appointment. Offering, requesting or soliciting sexual services during a massage is illegal and unethical.