The following list includes some of the precautions I am taking in my practice, following CDC guidelines and state protocols specific to Close Contact Personal Services:

 

I will thoroughly disinfect the massage table, chairs, door knobs, etc with an EPA-approved anti-viral disinfectant between each client.

 

Extra time will be allotted between clients in order to allow time for cleaning, and for dry-time of disinfectants on surfaces.

 

Bathrooms will also be disinfected frequently.

 

I will be wearing a mask while in the office.

 

I ask that clients wear their mask during the massage.

 

I have installed a HEPA filter air purifier where windows can't be opened.

 

Clean and used linens will be stored (separately, obviously) in plastic, lidded storage containers.

 

As always, I will thoroughly wash my hands, forearms, and elbows according to CDC guidelines before and after each client.

 

Plenty of hand sanitizer will be available throughout the office.

 

The usual 24 hour cancellation policy of being charged the cost of missed/cancelled appointments will be suspended. I hope this will alleviate any hesitation you might have if you are not feeling well. Simply contact me as soon as possible.

 

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT UPON REOPENING

 

Scheduling your appointment...

 

Because I intend to reopen gradually and carefully, and because of the extra time needed between clients to clean and sanitize properly, I will see fewer clients each week.

 

Upon arriving to your appointment...

 

You will be asked to wear a proper-fitting mask that covers your nose to below your chin for the duration of your appointment, including when entering and exiting the office. I will be unable to work on you if you do not wear a mask. Though keeping your mask on throughout the duration of your massage is ideal, if you feel it is difficult to breathe when face down in the face cradle, you may pull your mask down by the loops/ties on the sides and keep it below your chin until you lift your face again, at which point you will be asked to place the mask back over your nose and mouth by the side ties. I will drape a clean pillowcase hammock under the face cradle for each client to semi-effectively capture expelled aerosols should clients choose to lower their masks while face-down.

 

Per recommendation of the organization Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals, you will be asked to sign the following waiver. If you don't feel comfortable signing, I ask that you postpone scheduling your appointment until this waiver is no longer necessary:

 

Most arm and neck work will be done while face-down, and I will not be massaging the face. These protocols are temporary.

 

In an effort to keep the amount of time spent in the office at a minimum, and to allow time for me to prepare and disinfect the space for the next client, I unfortunately have to ask that we suspend our pre and post massage chit-chat for now. This will be the hardest part, as I love getting to know each of you better during those conversations, and really enjoy offering advice and demonstrations for at-home self-care. For now, pre-massage conversation will need to be kept to covering specific soft-tissue issues and concerns, and post massage conversation will be limited to payment and booking future appointments. To those ends, if possible, please pre-write your checks or arrive with exact cash amounts. Also, if possible, let's connect after your appointment over text or email to book your following appointment.

 

Lastly, please arrive to your appointments on time. In order to allow for the extra time needed between clients to prepare and disinfect for the next client, appointments must end at the scheduled time. Please avoid arriving too early however, as we are trying to avoid use of the waiting room - simply consider the time you might need to use the restroom, to describe particular issues or concerns, etc, and plan accordingly.

 

Thanks for your time in reading all this information, and in sharing your feedback and thoughts about returning to the massage table. I appreciate your flexibility and patience as I aim to keep us all safe in this unchartered territory. Continue checking my website for updates, and I'm looking forward to seeing you again!

 

Until then, lower your shoulders away from your ears, unclench your jaw, and unstick your tongue from the roof of your mouth.