It’s such a blessing to your mind, body, and spirit to receive a professional massage in a professional setting. You spend your hard-earned money and precious time to get that massage. You should get every benefit available to you. Here are some tips to maximize your massage experience with etiquette.
Massage Etiquette & Protocol
- If you are pregnant, you must provide us with a dated, signed note from your OBGYN on their letterhead. As much as we love and encourage the excellent care of midwives and doulas, we cannot accept their permission notes. This unpopular policy is a legal precedent and insurance issue for us that we cannot change.
- If you have had surgery within the last 8 weeks, you cannot have a massage without your PCP’s or surgeon’s permission. This written note must be on the doctor’s letterhead with date and signature. This policy is from legal precedent and is an insurance issue for us that we must adhere to for your safety.
- Never wear scented body products to your massage. If you do have scented products on, we will provide you with a washcloth to remove them.
- Please inform the therapist if you have a spray tan, tinted lotion, or body makeup on so that we can use non-staining sheets during your treatment. Therapists hate having to scrub stains on their break.
- Wash your hair and exfoliate your skin just before your massage (especially your back and between your toes).
- For our therapists’ protection against cuts and bacterial infections, they will avoid your feet if you have not cut and filed any sharp edges off your toenails.
- If you are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation, we cannot work on you until you are several months out from your last treatment, as these carcinogenic medications can seep out of your pores and into the skin of your massage therapist.
- We do not discriminate against cigarette or marijuana smokers. However, they may not be able to be seen for massage with certain therapists due to the therapist’s own asthma and allergies. Please be kind and disclose this when making your first appointment.
- It is never okay to bring your children or pets to a massage while you are mentally and physically unavailable on the massage table to give them proper supervision. Our office is not child or pet-proof, and our staff are not allowed to babysit. Therapeutic-assistance animals are the exception.
- Please do not bring additional people into your massage. Language interpreters are the exception and are required for clients who are English-language-challenged, as we must be confident that the client can give verbal informed consent throughout the massage.
- Please do not use these terms: “masseuse” for a Massage Therapist, “Bed” for the massage table, or “Rub” or “Stroke” for a massage technique. These are terms intentionally used by sexual deviants (“Johns”) in the U.S. to communicate with prostitutes, not legitimate Licensed Massage Therapists.
- It is not important to shave before a massage. Your therapist doesn’t care or even notice. The only exception to this rule is if you are receiving Kinesio Taping; in that case, you must razor-shave 24 hours in advance to avoid skin irritation. If less than 24 hours, use clippers only.
- It is essential to disclose any new medications and treatments you are currently taking that differ from those listed in your original intake form before receiving any massage appointment.
- You must cover all open skin (cuts, warts, etc) with a bandaid and bring it to the therapist’s attention before your massage. Massage therapists may need to wear gloves.
- Remove all makeup and jewelry before lying down on the massage table.
- We ask that you turn your cell phone off during your massage for your peace of mind. If you need to leave it on for a potential emergency, that’s fine… just let the therapist know.
- Do not consume alcoholic beverages, narcotic painkillers, or relaxants before your massage. Intoxicants could create an ethical dilemma for your therapist and expose them to liability.
- Never make sexual jokes or comments to your therapist. Their sense of decorum may be dramatically different than yours, and misunderstandings after incidents of this nature can be challenging to resolve.
- Avoiding excess caffeine/alcohol and increasing water intake at least 2 days before and 2 days after a massage will dramatically enhance the circulatory, lymphatic, and fascial benefits of your massage.
- Please understand that your massage is focused solely on you and your needs. This intentionally crafted environment means that we, the owners, do not allow your therapist to casually share their own personal stories or information with you during your massage. Please do not attempt to contact them via social media. Boundaries and professionalism are of the highest importance to us.
- Avoid heavy meals at least two hours before a massage to avoid nausea.
Before Your Massage
- Select a massage from our menu. If you need help with your selection or have a question that a therapist would best answer, we offer free phone consultations.
- You can request an appointment online or via phone. If you are booking online, please select your massage type and choose “New Client Intake Consultation.” Please do not request appointments via social media or text message.
- To ensure your requested appointment is officially accepted and recorded on our books, you must receive a confirmation text or email from us (Square). If you do not receive this confirmation, you do not have an appointment.
- This confirmation will also include helpful information, such as your intake forms and etiquette rules.
- Please complete your online intake form or arrive 20 minutes early to complete it in our office.
During Your Massage
- When you arrive, your therapists will escort you into the treatment room. They will go over your intake forms with you in private. You and your therapist will determine precisely what you expect from your massage. The therapist will then either agree to the treatment or explain why they need to alter the treatment and why.
- Your therapist will provide you with instructions on how to position yourself on the table and drape yourself appropriately. Please note that the therapist cannot perform work on the lower back or hips if the client leaves their UNDERWEAR on, as the Glutes, sacrum, and the upper attachments of the Quadraceps/Hamstrings need to be accessed and worked on to perform effective work. Working over or around the underwear is NOT effective, and therapists will not do it. Therapists are NOT allowed to move your underwear.
- Massage therapists do not work on breast tissue or go anywhere near genitals.
- The therapist will leave the room while you undress. They will knock before reentering the room to ensure that you are on the table, covered, and ready.
- The therapist will then adjust the headrest and use bolsters where needed. We use full lighting for Just FIX Me™ treatments and soft lighting for all other massages. Verbal feedback from clients is essential during any massage. However, you may remain quiet to relax fully.
After Your Massage
- Once your massage is complete, the therapist will discuss any concerns they identified during the massage and provide you with your next massage steps and, if needed, aftercare instructions.
- You will receive instructions on how to exit the table, meet your therapist in the lobby to pay, and receive a bottle of water.
- Your therapist will take thorough notes after your session and digitally store them in compliance with HIPAA.
- You are encouraged to follow up with us via email in a few days and let us know how successful the massage was.
- We do occasionally send out promotional emails. You may unsubscribe at any time. We never share your personal information.
I hope this etiquette and protocol list helps you prepare and get the most out of your massage. In that same vein, we often promote other healthcare businesses in Bowling Green that we feel are in your best interest or can generally improve your health. Please check out the newest functional medicine office in town, IV Nutrition, or visit this franchise’s corporate Facebook page.