Both the client and the therapist must have a clear understanding of massage therapy policies and procedures.

As a new client, you need to be informed about Massage Therapy policies to provide informed consent before the massage session.

Elite Health & Beauty holds these policies and procedures to a very high standard.

Appointments

 Massage appointments are by appointment only. We are available

To ensure appointment availability, I suggest a regular series of appointments be scheduled.

Cancellation/NoCall NoShow Policy – Our time together is important. Unless there is an emergency, please cancel your appointment 24 hours in advance (if possible) or at least 6 hours in advance the day of giving other clients the ability to schedule.  A no-call no-show will result in a debit/credit card on file for future appointments to ensure the therapist is compensated for lost time in the event of a future no-call no-show. The card will not be charged until after your session (at your request) or your scheduled session with a No Call No Show for $25 (If we are unable to charge the card, the fee will be due before scheduling the next appointment). The fee can increase to the full session price for repeat Call No Shows. Any changes reschedule or cancellations of your appointments 24 hours before your appointment will not incur a fee. Call and leave a voicemail or text to cancel appointments or change schedules.

 Gift certificates will be forfeited for no-shows.

Lateness Policy – We request that you arrive 5-10 minutes early for your appointment. Our massage therapy policies state: If you arrive late for your appointment, the time left will be used to its best advantage. 

Sickness Policy – Elite Health & Beauty recognizes that both massage therapists and clients are vulnerable to infections and therefore ask clients to cancel appointments when they are feeling unwell. If you have any of the following contagious illnesses the massage session will be rescheduled:

Diarrhea, Vomiting, Fever, Chicken Pox, Measles, Mumps, Meningitis, Hepatitis A, Conjunctivitis, Rubella, Head Lice, Impetigo, Influenza, Meningococcal Disease, Polio, Ringworm of the body, feet or scalp, Scabies, Thrush, Whooping Cough, and the Common Cold. 

Sanitation and Hygiene

Before and after each massage, the massage therapist’s hands and forearms will be washed with hot soapy water and a disinfecting solution. Any breaks in the skin of the massage therapist will be covered with protective coverings.

The client will come to the massage therapy appointment clean. The client will inform the massage therapist of any breaks in the skin, and these areas will be avoided.

Should the massage therapist or the client contract a contagious disease that could be spread during the massage session, such as a cold, flu, or other droplet or airborne infection, each will inform the other. The decision to reschedule will be handled in a case-by-case manner.

 Scope of Practice

Massage professionals are trained in the use of manual techniques to normalize the soft tissue of the body.

Therapeutic massage is intended to be a health-enhancing system that promotes body balance and efficient body function.

Massage stimulates the natural restorative processes of the body and mechanically reduces muscle tension. These methods may not be used to diagnose or treat any specific, preexisting condition without written permission from your physician.

If any situation may arise during the massage session and if the therapist feels you should be evaluated by another professional – It is our intent at Elite Health & Beauty under the massage therapy policies to refer you to your health care physician.

The massage therapist does not work within the parameters of licensed medical professionals. Therefore, massage therapists do not diagnose or prescribe for a particular body dysfunction nor are they allowed to provide treatment for a specific condition.

The massage therapist is required to refer you for diagnosis and to follow the recommendations of your physician.

The massage therapist is a skilled practitioner of a safe, structured touch that is beneficial for many life hurts, aches, and pains.

Massage therapy is a maintenance system, and the benefits are cumulative. It is best to receive a one-hour massage every week to reduce the physical stress that builds in the body.

Appointments scheduled every other week, combined with gentle stretching and other self-help methods, are also sufficient.

Monthly appointments are beneficial for those who are effectively dealing with stress management. Occasional appointments provide temporary symptomatic relief, but the cumulative effects of therapeutic massage are lost if massage therapy is not used regularly.

Professional Boundaries

For Elite Health & Beauty to best serve your needs – honest disclosure of any situation that may interfere with safe, nurturing, nonjudgmental, nonsexual touch must be considered.

The massage therapist needs to consider personal needs, biases, fears, concerns, and limitations as stated in the massage therapy policies and procedures.

Respect for Client Boundaries

In this partnership, the client must be honest and open with the massage therapist.

Feedback about the effectiveness of the work, situations that may have been uncomfortable for you, massage techniques that you enjoyed, massage techniques that you did not like, etc., is very important:

Is there a body area that you would like for me to avoid?

Would you prefer that I not use a certain type of lubricant?

Do you have a particular religious belief that is important that I respect?

Do you or do you not enjoy music during the massage? What type?

Please feel free to share this information with us, as you become aware of it. Sometimes it is hard to remember the areas that are sensitive until they are touched.

If at any time, you feel that another therapist would better serve you, please ask for a referral. If we do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable, tell us. We will not be offended as we hold our massage therapy policies to a very high standard.

Respect for client boundaries is very important. To maintain respect for each client and establish professional boundaries the following massage therapy policies apply:

The client may choose to leave on as much clothing as needed for comfort.

The client will always be modestly draped. Only the area being massaged will be undraped. The clients will be kept informed of the area to be massaged.

The breast and genital area will not be massaged under any circumstances. Permission will be asked before working close to these areas; otherwise, a professional distance will be maintained.

Sexual interaction or discussion of any kind between the client and the massage therapist is NEVER appropriate. Understandably, the closeness of the massage relationship may, on occasion, be interpreted as sensual. This is a physical response that is part of the natural relaxation response and only lasts for a few moments before the physical sensations shift to a deep feeling of relaxation.

Requests for sexual activity will not be tolerated, will be viewed as solicitation, and reported to the proper authorities under the guidelines of the massage therapy policies and procedures. The client will not be rescheduled if this occurs.

Children, under the age of eighteen, will not be seen without a parent or guardian present in the therapy room.

The therapy room door is never locked.

The client may stop the massage at any time and is free to leave.

The client may refuse any massage methods.

Visitors may be present during the massage at your request. Please, no children under the age of twelve.

Confidentiality and Conversation

The discussion between the massage therapist and the client is confidential. The client may or may not choose to talk during the massage.

It is inappropriate for a massage therapist to discuss the therapist’s personal life with the client. We are happy to listen to your conversation and share our professional expertise. We prefer to not discuss topics of a political or sexual nature.

We may be required to release records under a court order, or to your doctor. We are obligated to report suspicion of child abuse to the proper authorities.

Existing and New Medical Conditions

It is the responsibility of the client to keep the massage therapist informed of any medical treatment currently being taken and to provide written permission from the physician, chiropractor, physical therapist, etc., that the massage may be continued.

The client must also keep the massage therapist informed of any changes in health conditions.

Informed Consent

The intake session provides time for the massage therapist to discuss each section of the massage therapy policies.

Before each massage session, the treatment plan will be discussed with you. At your first visit with us, you will receive a copy of the massage therapy policies and will be asked to sign the consent stating that you have read the information, understand it, and agree to comply with the professional massage therapy policies and procedures.