This is about colds and the flu, and after nearly 30 years as a massage therapist, I cannot count how many times clients have scheduled appointments while they were actively ill.
There is a common misconception that massage can somehow “push an illness out” of the body. It cannot. Massage does not cure a cold, eliminate the flu, or force an infection out of your system. If you are experiencing active symptoms, your body needs time to recover.
If you are coughing, sneezing, experiencing fever or chills, vomiting, dealing with significant congestion, or otherwise feeling acutely ill, please reschedule your massage. A massage therapist is not the person who needs to determine whether you are contagious. If you are unsure, consult your physician and follow their advice.
For me, this is especially important because I have family members who are more vulnerable to illness. My husband has Hyper IgE syndrome, also known as Job syndrome, an immune deficiency that can make infections more difficult for him to manage and can aggravate his asthma. My mother is also elderly and has advanced dementia. When I become sick, I am not only dealing with my own illness. I risk bringing that illness home to the people who depend on me.
Even without those personal circumstances, I would still prefer not to provide massage to someone who is actively sick.
There is also a practical consideration that is sometimes overlooked: massage is close contact. Your face is positioned directly into the face cradle, which is also used by other clients. If you are coughing, sneezing, or otherwise producing respiratory secretions, that creates an additional sanitation concern for the treatment room and equipment.
If I know that a client has been actively ill, I may need to take additional cleaning and sanitation measures before the space can be used by someone else. Depending on the circumstances, I may also need to wear a mask while working. Massage therapy is physically demanding, and working while masked can make an already strenuous job more difficult for me.
I also take hand hygiene seriously. Thorough handwashing and appropriate use of hand sanitizer are part of maintaining a clean professional environment, particularly when there has been potential exposure to illness. I want to protect myself, my next client, and my family when I leave work.
Please Do Not Feel Guilty About Rescheduling
If you are sick, please stay home and recover. Rescheduling your appointment is not an inconvenience or an insult to your therapist. It is the responsible thing to do.
Massage will still be here when you feel better.
If I become sick, I cannot work. My clients depend on me, and my family depends on me. I am sure you would not want me providing your massage while I was coughing, feverish, or otherwise ill.
So please give yourself permission to rest.
If you are sick, stay home. Get better. Then come see me when you are well.
