Massage & COVID-19

UPDATE 4/3/2020: This post was originally written on 3/12/2020, before COVID-19 had really even gotten a foothold in Maine. At a later date it’ll be updated to reflect general sanitation practices. At this time, my office is closed at least until the end of April, 2020.

I’ve been chatting with my massage clients in recent days about concerns around both the influenza virus and COVID-19. I’m always concerned and careful about sharing germs, particularly in flu season. I see clients of varying ages and health levels and I want to keep all of us healthy.

Hygiene and sanitation are of huge importance to a massage therapist regardless of what bugs are going around. Besides cold and flu season, there are plenty of reasons to make sure we’re not sharing germs or pathogens. Here are some of the preventive measures I take in my office:

Basic Sanitation Practices

• Using a fresh set of sheets for each client, laundered in hot water.
• Wiping down the table, face cradle, and other surfaces with disinfecting spray between each appointment.
• Washing my hands before and after every massage, with hot water & soap, for at least one minute.
• Using a hand towel or paper towel to open and close doors before and after washing.
• Avoiding touching my face with my bare hands during your massage.
• Sanitizing my hands halfway through your massage.
• If I’m not feeling well, I will ALWAYS contact you and let you know.

This is how I operate even when there isn’t a pandemic concern. Given the concerns about COVID-19, I have begun instituting a few upgrades to wellness and prevention here in my office. These primarily involve things I’m doing here at the office, but I also need your help.

New Things Happening Here:

• Avoiding face massage unless you have a particle issue you want to address (TMJD, headaches, etc).
• Periodically disinfecting door knobs and other surfaces in the office with a food grade disinfectant.
• Diffusing an essential oil blend that promotes immunity (I will turn it off if I know someone is coming in with asthma or other sensitivities).
• Working on providing extra hand sanitizer for clients (thank you, panic buyers).

What You Can Do:

Health and sanitation are a two way street (maybe more like a busy intersection, but you get the idea). Here are some things you can do to help:

• Use common sense and a little caution. If you’re not feeling well, I’m not going to charge you for rescheduling your appointment.
• DO NOT come in for a massage if you have the flu, a cold, or God forbid, COVID-19.
• For more information, check out the post “Should I Cancel My Massage If I Am Sick?“
• If you come in actively sick, I’m going to ask you to go home, to protect both myself and your fellow clients.
• Wash your hands before you come into the office. (Check out this article that explains the effectiveness of hand washing!)

Massage is Proactive, Too

A potential public health crisis is causing stress for us all. Remember, getting a massage is actually a proactive step you can take right now to boost your immune system, relieve stress, and help you sleep.

Wellness Starts at Home

Meanwhile, you know the drill: wash your hands, eat your vegetables, drink plenty of water and get enough sleep. Stay tuned for updates on how you can boost your immune system and stay healthy.

Take care of yourself and be well. ~Tricia