COVID-19 and Resuming Massage

As most of you already know, the Director of Health and the Governor of Ohio issued a Cease Work Order in March of 2020. Massage locations all over the state and private home offices had to cease providing massage.

It is thought, that due to the close nature of our work, massage is a great health risk for both the therapist and the client. The risks of exposure to the coronavirus outweighs the benefits of receiving massage.

As the Governor reopens our state for business he will direct which businesses to open in each phase. Massage is being directed to stay closed during phase 1 and phase 2.

During the time we wait for phase 3 to begin, many massage professional and health officials are coming up with new protocols for reopening massage businesses. They have presented us with some of those protocols and told us more may follow.

Current protocols:

• If therapist has a fever...no massage to be given to patrons
• If client has a fever...no massage to be given, reschedule.
• No massage for Pregnant women, infants or toddlers.
• No massage for immunodeficient people.
• No massage for type one diabetics who are having complications.
• No massage for anyone with COPD.
• No massage for people with Cancer or undergoing chemo.
• Basically no massage if you have an illness that puts you at risk!!!!
• If client has or has had any recent respiratory or flu symptoms, sore throat, shortness of breath, coughing, reschedule massage.
• If client or therapist has been in contact with anyone in last 14 days with coronavirus symptoms: no massage, reschedule in a few weeks.
• All tables/stands/shelves are to be cleared of treat bowls, Knick Knacks, pamphlets, samples and all other items.  
• Chair provided for sitting while undressing/dressing should be a hard chair with no cushions so it can be cleaned after each client.
• Mask must be worn by both the therapist and the client. 
• Don't use communal pillows for bolstering.
• When the client is in the face down position, if the mask is uncomfortable a pillow case can be draped over the face cradle and a canal formed through the center to make a mask for the face cradle to catch all aerosols from the clients nose and mouth.
• The room will be thoroughly disinfected after each client, including chair, shelves, tables, door handles, massage table. 

There are others that only concern the therapist that I will not list here.  I listed the last one in the bulleted list so you are aware of the precautions we are taking to keep the risk of spreading this virus low. You must also keep in mind that no matter what we do in our practice protocols, nothing is 100% effective. 

If you are concerned please don't schedule until you feel safe doing so.