Covid-19 Massage Therapist: Safety in the Massage Room

The question just won’t go away: Should I go back to work when I’m allowed to go back to work?

In the US, eight states have lifted stay-at-home orders and 8 states never had them.

Stunningly, Georgia sent massage therapists back to work last week.  (Less people the state has to pay to stay home.)

Speaking of financial relief, where is it?

On paper it exists—in pockets not so much.

Massage therapists are between a rock and hard place—and for some that rock and hard place are inching towards each other.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that no matter what phase you’re entering back into the workforce, let’s just be as safe as we can.

To that end, I made this video about what I’m doing to/in my massage room to make it as Covid-19 safe as possible. (This video just pertains to safety measures within the massage room. More videos about Covid-19 operations safety to come.)

(Restaurant Analysis: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/26/7/20-0764_article)

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  • Tracy Malinich May 2, 2020, 11:39 am

    Hey Mark…nice (helpful) job! A couple additional precautions I’m giving thought to: 1) plan to get a plastic (easy clean) tray for shoes to come off inside door, 2) replace my regular “throw” rugs with bath blankets (atop non-skid mat) that can (for me) be washed and changed out with each client’s linens, 3) change out the soft comfy client chair with a hard surface, wipeable one for client clothes, and 4) I have a supply of new plastic bags like they make for newspapers to be delivered in…want to try enclosing facerest in a new bag (would cover while still allowing for open center) per client…then continue with regular facerest covers, both changed out per client use. I like your pillowcase below idea to help with prone breathing concerns. (Also considering quick use of a no-touch temp check.)
    Thanks for your help/guidance on behalf of our collective group!

    • Mark Liskey May 2, 2020, 1:19 pm

      Great suggestions, Tracy! I’m putting them on my room preparation to-do list. I especially like the no-touch temp check. They’re on Amazon, but it looks like they’re a little hard to find now: https://www.amazon.com/Hospital-Clinical-Thermometer-Amplim-Professional/dp/B07QN39PZ9 Stay safe!

    • Jennifer Adumori May 2, 2020, 7:05 pm

      May 2, 2020 Saturday

      Hello Mark,
      To stay safe when returning to work, we Massage Therapists and Bodyworkers can request and or facilitate onsite COVID – 19 Testing for clients. If we know of COVID – 19 Testing sites we could also refer clients to their intake personnel or center information line. Disposable headrest covers are a good idea. I will also use disposable absorbent pads under the headrest,to catch nasal drip, saliva, tears etc. I will wear a mask in the workplace and ensure that my clients can apply a mask while in office, by having them available and suggesting the use of them.

      Jennifer Adumori A. Oguntuase Ogunleye

      • Mark Liskey May 3, 2020, 8:43 am

        Good idea, Jennifer, regarding utilizing the Covid-19 testing sites to “clear” clients! That strategy will be dependent on location, availability of tests and criteria for getting testing. But I’m thinking as time goes on where we are, quality of tests, testing capacity and turnaround with results will get better so that testing could be a key strategy for helping to keep our clients and us safe in the near future. Thank you!