While many things have changed since 2019, one thing has remained the same: my continued commitment to the safety and health of my clients.
As healthcare providers, licensed massage therapists (LMTs) in Maryland have always been required to follow standard sanitation protocols, and cleanliness and infection control has always been a top priority at Frederick Bodywork. Routine procedures include:
Thorough sanitation of the treatment room between each client
Regular sanitation of the office and facility spaces
Proper practitioner hygiene
Self-monitoring by practitioner for infectious / contagious illnesses (colds, flu, etc.), and rescheduling of appointments when necessary
Online intake forms
No-touch payment
When reopening Frederick Bodywork after the 2019 Covid pandemic, I instituted additional safety measures as recommended by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) as well as infection control recommendations made by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). These additional sanitation measures include:
Practitioner will wear a face mask throughout the work day
Thorough decluttering of all spaces to make them easier to sanitize
Socially distanced, restricted-access waiting room
Increased access to sanitation stations that provide hand sanitizer, tissues, and no-touch trash cans
Increased sanitation of high-touch areas in the office and restroom throughout the day
Increased end-of-day sanitation procedures
For a more detailed account of the FSMTB practice guidelines recommended by the Maryland Department of Health, see the following link.
There are also some changes that will alter your appointment experience slightly. These changes are to help protect you, other clients, and myself, and I appreciate your cooperation.
Please consider wearing a face mask while you are in the building and during your massage. I will continue to wear a face mask during sessions.
All clients will need to complete an updated informed consent form stating, “I understand that close contact with people increases the risk of infection from COVID-19. By signing this form, I acknowledge that I am aware of the risks involved and give consent to receive massage at Frederick Bodywork.”
If you are exhibiting symptoms of illness on the day of your session, please cancel or reschedule your appointment. There is no penalty for canceling or rescheduling your appointment.
When you arrive at the office, please wait in your vehicle until the specific start time of your appointment. For example, if your appointment is at 3:30 PM, walk in the door at 3:30 PM. This will minimize the number of people in the reception area at one time. I have added a 15-minute buffer between clients, so you can stay relaxed and take your time getting off the table at the end of your session.
You will also find hand sanitizer and tissues in the treatment room and other places in the office for your use as needed.
I will no longer provide cups of water. Bottled water is available upon request, but I encourage you to carry your own reusable water bottle for your own health and the health of the environment.
I am happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps I am taking to keep you and all of my clients, safe at Frederick Bodywork. Thank you for your continued support.
Be well,
Aaron Exum Frederick Bodywork