When a massage therapist works with a new client, it is important to establish a professional working relationship from the start, explaining the policies and making the client feel comfortable.
Why Intake Procedures Are Important
Proper intake procedures are very important for massage therapists because they can...
- keep them safe from unscrupulous clients
- protect their reputation
- set nervous first-time clients at ease
- establish an immediate professional rapport with their client
- give both therapist and client a starting place for dialog
Proper Intake Forms
All massage therapy clients should fill out an intake form before their first bodywork session. This intake form should include at the minimum:
- A Medical History and Questionnaire – the medical questions should cover physical contraindications to massage include infectious diseases, blood clotting issues or recent surgeries and injuries.
- Client Personal Information – Name, address, phone number and email if available are all tools therapists can use to keep in touch. A birth date allows the therapist to send a coupon for free add-ons, newsletters, and so on.
- Bodywork Session Goals – This is important for a massage therapist to cover, as it will help the therapist design the bodywork session to cover the client's desires, give both a starting place for dialog, and help the client explain what areas of the body are of greatest concern.
- Disclaimer for Therapist Policy Information – This is usually at the bottom of the intake form or located on a separate sheet of paper. It commonly explains that the therapist is not a doctor and will not diagnose illnesses or prescribe medicine. This is also a good place for a disclaimer regarding inappropriate sexual conduct.
Verbalizing the Intake Information
Part of the intake procedure is a verbal summary of the information above. This verbal intake routine is an example to follow, or therapists can customize their own procedure.
- Discuss any medical information on the massage intake form and ask clarification for the client's bodywork session goals.
- Restate the legal disclaimer! This is one of the most important parts of the intake procedure for the massage therapist. One therapist shared how she does this in a friendly manner by saying, “This part you signed is just the legalese that says I'm not a doctor and won't diagnose any illnesses, if you hit on me I'll kick you out and you have to pay me anyway, and I can't prescribe any medications no matter how much you need them.”
Using a friendly tone allows the information to be presented without making the client uneasy. It is important to go over this information with every massage client regardless of age or gender. Finishing by asking whether the client has any other questions can help the customer not only feel listened to, but clears up any questions up front.
Visit the Massage Room
When the client enters the massage room for the first time it is important for the therapist to discuss the details. Show the client how they'll be draped and will stay covered during the entire session to reinforce the professional nature of the massage, and to also set a client's mind at ease. It is common for first-time clients to be slightly uneasy, so a therapist's matter-of-fact explanation will help calm their nervousness.
Following proper intake procedures will give the massage therapist an easy way to explain their policies, allow customers a chance to verbalize their needs, and clarify expectations for both parties right from the beginning.
Angela England - Angela England is a problogger, mother of four (yes I know what causes that), speaker, teacher, labor doula, gardener and so much more.
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