It's a Great Day, LLC ~ Massage Therapy
It is important that both the client and the therapist have a clear understanding of the massage therapy policies and procedures.
As a new client you need to be informed about Massage Therapy policies in order to provide informed consent prior to the massage session.
"It’s a Great Day, LLC" holds these policies and procedures to a very high standard.
POLICIES & PROCEDURES
Appointments
All massage appointments are by appointment only. I am available to provide massage to clients Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM until 8:00 PM, and 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Sundays. To ensure appointment availability, I suggest that a regular series of appointments be scheduled. You, the client, will also discover the value of regular appointments to your own health benefits.
Payment - Payment by cash or major credit card is accepted. No checks please! Payment is due at the end of the service. SERVICES ARE NOT COVERED BY YOUR INSURANCE!
Cancellation Policy - Our time together is important. Unless there is an emergency, clients will be expected to pay in full for missed appointments, or for cancellation with less than 24 hours advance notice. Cancellations will be accepted by appropriate phone message or voice mail (indicating caller, time of call, time of appointment), and/or by email and providing the same information. Clients who fail to show up for their scheduled appointment time will not be scheduled for future appointments. Gift certificates may be forfeited for cancellations with less than 24 hours notice. Gift certificates will be forfeited for no shows.
Lateness Policy - I request that you arrive about 10 to 15 minutes early for your appointment. My massage therapy policies state: If you arrive late for your appointment, the time left will be used to its best advantage. If the massage therapist is late for the appointment, the remaining time will be used and the client will receive a discount or will not be charged for the massage session.
Sickness Policy – It’s a Great Day, LLC 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.
Children - Clients may NOT bring children that will be left unsupervised by an adult during their massage, and "It's a Great Day, LLC" will not be responsible for the care of children while a parent is receiving massage. So, clients should please arrange for their childrens' supervision beforehand, and come alone or with an adult friend for their massage and reserve the quiet time and the relaxation during their session for themselves!
Massage for Minors - Massage for minors is allowed only under special circumstances totally at the discretion of myself, and only at the request, and with the consent and presence of the parent/guardian during the session.
Cell Phones and Music Players - Cell phones and music playing devices should be turned off before entering the "It's a Great Day" office because of the need to maintain a quiet and relaxed environment for ourselves during our scheduled session, as well as for the benefit of other customers that are receiving massage sessions at the same time.
Returned Checks - Cash or Card only, please. Dealing with a returned check is a very time-comsuming and costly process, so we ask that the client use other accepted methods of payment if there is uncertainty about the availiability of funds in their checking account at the time of their massage session. A $20 fee will be charged to the client in the event of a returned check due to insufficient funds.
Professional Boundaries
In order for therapeutic massage by It’s a Great Day, LLC to best serve your needs – honest disclosure of any situation that may interfere with safe, nurturing, nonjudgmental 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 of Client Boundaries
In this partnership, it is important that the client is 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.
Please feel free to share this information with us, as you become aware of it.
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 immediately. We will not be offended.
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, although that may hinder the use of lotions and effectiveness of usual techniques.
Appropriate draping will be used.
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.
An accompanying adult may be present during the massage session at your request, although that person must remain in the waiting area. If a person does accompany you, they must not leave the office unattended during your session to go elsewhere and return at their convenience because the office itself is kept locked during a session to avoid unwanted entry while the therapist is working with the client.
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 during the massage session makes the therapist feel you should be evaluated by another professional - It is our intent and policy at It’s a Great Day, LLC that the massage therapist will refer you to your personal health care physician.
Massage therapists do not work within the parameters of licensed medical professionals. Therefore, massage therapists do not diagnosis or prescribe for a particular body dysfunction; nor may they provide treatment for a specific condition.
The massage therapist is required to refer you for diagnosis and to follow recommendations of your physician.
The massage therapist is a skilled practitioner of safe, structured touch that is beneficial for many life aches and pains.
Massage therapy is a maintenance system, and the benefits are cumulative. It is best to receive a one-hour massage every two weeks to reduce the physical stress that builds in the body.
Appointments scheduled once per month, combined with gentle stretching and other self-help methods, are also sufficient. However, the client will receive the greatest benefit from frequency and regularity.
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 on a regular basis.
Sanitation and Hygiene
All equipment and linens that come in contact with the client will be cleansed in an approved method. All lubricants will be dispensed in a contamination-free manner.
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 on a case-by case manner.
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 religious nature.
We may be required to release records under a court order, or to your doctor.
Health History
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 contained in this website.
Prior to 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.