What is a Covid-Conscious Massage and Why Does that Matter?

To put it simply, a Covid-Conscious massage is a massage therapy session in which steps have been taken to minimize the risk of Covid infection to both the client and the Massage Therapist during the massage treatment.

What Steps am I taking to minimize your risk?

Please bear in mind that even with all the safety precautions in place, there is still inherently, a risk, but I do my best to keep that risk as minimal as possible.

MASKING

Me – Your Therapist

I am still wearing a well fitted, high quality K-94 mask (A Korean version of the N95) when we are in the massage room and on the premises. Furthermore, I am still masking anytime I am indoors in a public setting, and I still avoid indoor crowds whenever possible when there is a spike.

You

There is some room for flexibility here, as it depends on our community risk level. When risk levels are low, I will allow you to make the decision as to whether you wear a mask on the massage table. However, if we are showing signs of increased outbreak or are in a spike, I will require that you mask up as well. Forgot your mask? No problem! I am happy to provide one for you.

The location I work in

Masking is optional. If there is concern about this, we can make arrangements for a time when it might be more comfortable for you, such as a first appointment of the day or when there are fewer guests in the building. The location I am in is relatively low people traffic, overall.

VENTILATION

Covid is airborne, so ventilation and air exchange are a HUGE deal.

My massage room is equipped with a HEPPA air filtrations system with 5CADR of 5x air exchange. For those of us that might not have crash coursed on ventilation over the pandemic, this means that I have a high-quality air filtration system that is designed for a room over 3x the size of mine. Go big or go home, right?

It always runs when massages are going on and for extra measure, it is kicked up on “high” in between clients (with a minimum 30-minute gap between clients to allow time for additional air exchange)

The location I work in

Is equipped with a HEPPA air filtration system with a 5CADR of 5x air exchange in the main lobby as well as the yoga studio itself. It is also noteworthy that the massage rooms and yoga studio run on separate air systems, so the air we are breathing in the massage room is not the same as the yoga studio.

VACCINATION

I am vaccinated and boosted, and I prefer to work with others that are as well. I’d love to see your vaccination card.

Will I consider working with you if you’re not vaccinated?

Yes. I know there are reasons that some people can’t get vaccinated, and I consider this on a case-by-case basis.

If you are not vaccinated and are accepted as a client, you will be required to bring and take a Covid test the same day as your appointment, 20 minutes prior and show me the results.

DISINFECTING

While Covid has been determined to be an airborne virus, disinfecting surfaces is still a good practice (one that was already well established in my practice prior to Covid) and you can be assured that every surface from the massage table to the chair you sit in, to the doorknob you open to leave the massage room are wiped down with a medical grade disinfectant between every session.

OTHER FACTORS TO CONSIDER

I am an independent contractor. I cannot speak to the vaccination status or masking of others on the premises, but I can also tell you that they are mindful of those that need those extra precautions. If this is of concern to you, we can discuss options and times that might best suite your comfort level when you visit.

If I have been in a higher risk situation, I will take a Covid test before working on you. I still do all the things to stay safe not only inside the massage room but outside. However, even with all the precautions, sometimes we can’t out-precaution Covid.

How do I determine what our community risk level is?

My resource is Covid Act Now

Why am I doing this?

Finally, you may be wondering why I am writing about Covid precautions when for many, the pandemic is essentially over.

The news may not be talking about Covid much these days, but it continues to ebb and flow with new variants and spikes as we march into year three of the pandemic. Thankfully, the current variants aren’t as severe as early in the pandemic and we have more tools to combat the virus. Vaccines are available for everyone as well as second, third and in some cases, fourth boosters for those populations at greater risk. We also now have a few medications for early intervention to minimize severity for those that are at higher risk of complications and death. It has been encouraging to see that, with more knowledge and tools in place, hospitalizations and deaths are much less frequent than the early days.

And while many have gone back to a more normal, pre-Covid life those who have underlying conditions and are immune compromised and those that are close to them, there is a continued need to maintain precautions.

For these people, the risk for complications, hospitalization and death are still very much a threat and real possibility. Add the compounding factors of loss of work, if working is even an option, and medical bills that are already an ongoing burden and marry it with a Covid complication and it could easily mean complete disaster for an already fragile population and their families.

According to the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors, nearly 60% of Americans have at least one chronic health condition and about 40% of Americans have more than one chronic condition, and up to seven million of those Americans with chronic conditions are considered immune-compromised.

That’s a lot of people.

And those are the people that have my heart.

As do their families and caretakers that are continuing to make the sacrifices and do all the things to keep them and their loved ones as healthy as possible in what feels like a never-ending Covid Carousal of Complications.

This is the population that is often overlooked and forgotten, in many ways- one of the underdogs of this pandemic and one of the reasons I continue to take every precaution.

A Final Word

The wellbeing and safety of my clients as well as peace of mind for the safest experience possible have been cornerstones of my massage practice since the beginning. I continue to strive to provide the safest environment that I can.

Do you have further questions or concerns? Don’t hesitate to ask!

Are you ready to schedule your Covid -conscious massage?