Truth: Most individuals are under a lot of stress nowadays. If you have the money to spend, getting a massage is an obvious choice. Is it, however, a wise move at this time?

“By nature, massage services require more close, physical contact which can raise your risk of exposure,” says Dr. Neha Vyas, MD, family medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic. However, she says that the risk is likely low to medium, depending on where you live, how well the COVID-19 virus is suppressed, and how long you want to stay at the spa or salon..

Risks of Getting a Massage During COVID

The greatest danger you face while getting a massage is coming into intimate touch with the other person. According to the CDC, COVID-19 is most likely to transmit when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks to someone within six feet of him or her. Individuals in the vicinity are at risk of inhaling or swallowing the droplets, which have the potential to spread disease. COVID-19’s virus, SARS-CoV-2, is thought to be airborne under certain conditions, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Beyond that, coming into contact with frequently-touched surfaces (like a massage table) may also pose a danger, since COVID-19 may be transmitted by contacting a surface or item that has the virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.

What does Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork do (and other massage clinics should too) to Keep You Safe? 

Among the most comprehensive sources of information about massage studio and company safety is the American Massage Therapy Organization (AMTA), the largest nonprofit professional association representing massage therapists. In addition to following CDC and OSHA sanitation guidelines, the AMTA advises licensed massage therapists to take the following steps which our team at Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork strictly follow:

• Implement strict procedures for cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing your massage room, as well as any shared spaces and items that clients may come into contact with. Towels and other washable items have a specific washing policy.
• Use personal protective equipment such as masks and gloves (when the therapist’s epidermis is compromised) to protect client and therapist.
• Make sure there is enough time between reservations to allow for sanitations between clients and to keep the number of individuals entering at a reasonable pace.
• To ensure minimal interaction between customers throughout the check-in/check-out process and yourself, eliminate waiting rooms and use an enhanced intake procedure such as online forms, virtual check-ins and online pre-appointments.
• Hand washing and respiratory hygiene standards are followed at all times.
• Re-evaluate cancellation policies and procedures for customers exhibiting symptoms of sickness.

Whenever there are changes to local, state, or federal laws or ordinances, we at Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork immediately implement them into our company processes. 

In addition to that, we also encourage our staff to avoid high transmission risk activities when they are not at work. 

What Clients Can Do to Prevent Spread of Virus?

• Accept new intake methods and safety measures, even if they cause you a little amount of inconvenience. It’s for overall safety. 
• Avoid talking as much as possible in waiting areas and in the massage room – which is best for your therapeutic massage experience anyway!
• Practice contactless payment if you can. If you prefer to pay with cash, we simply use hand sanitizer after handling your payment.
• If you or anybody in your household has been sick, or if you know or think you have been exposed, you should contact us to reschedule your appointment.  In addition, reschedule appointments as instructed and isolate yourself until you are tested and confirmed negative.
• If you’ve gone outside of Utah within 5 days prior to any appointment with us, you should contact us immediately so we can reschedule your appointment.
• Please do not book a massage if you have engaged in higher-risk activities such as socializing without masks, attending big gatherings and embracing people you don’t live with, dining indoors with people you don’t live with, etc.

In the event that YOU tested positive for COVID-19 within 10 days following a therapy in our office, please notify us as soon as possible so that we may plan for self-isolation and getting tested.