Greetings!

We hope this finds you and your family in good health and we want to thank you for your patience! We have a LOT of information to convey in this letter, so please read it carefully. While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your safety and health.

By its very nature, massage and bodywork requires close contact and you should be familiar with the fact that infection control has always been a top priority for our office. As we navigate life with additional requirements and modify existing measures due to the coronavirus, please help us to support all of our clients by cooperating with some new requirements.

Our office follows Practice Guidelines recommended by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB), along with infection control recommendations made by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

You will see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We made these changes to help protect our clients, ourselves, and our families. Effective immediately, new procedures are as follows:

1. DAILY INTAKE SCREENING

All clients will be screened about their current health condition and possible recent exposure to anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 preceding each appointment. You will be asked to sign a release form confirming you do not have COVID-19 and have not been knowingly exposed to it. We will also ask you to sign an informed consent form that states, “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 from this practitioner.” 

We reserve the right to deny or terminate service to anyone who purposely does not disclose symptoms of —or possible exposure to— COVID-19.

If you believe you've been exposed recently or are experiencing any possible symptoms (mild or severe), or any infectious condition, you will be asked to reschedule your appointment. If you need to cancel due to any possible illness, you will not be charged a cancellation fee as long as you notify us. Cancellations made on the same day as your appointment, for reasons not related to illness, such as work emergencies or last minute schedule changes, as well as missed appointments without notice will still be charged.

Symptoms may include (but are not limited to): 

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Sore throat
• Unusual fatigue
• Loss of taste or smell
• Any other symptoms as noted by the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization.

Please remember that COVID-19 can still be transmitted, even if you don't have symptoms. If you find out after a massage appointment that you may have inadvertently exposed us, You must inform us! Then, in order to schedule a return appointment, you must be tested with a negative result. If you test positive, you must wait until you have recovered, tested negative and wait 10 days after your symptoms resolve before returning. 

2. ARRIVAL PROCEDURES:

At this time we do not require masks, but clients are still welcome to wear them, and also to request that their therapist wear one as well.

Massage therapy is a very close-contact activity in close quarters, and as some of our clients are immune-compromised by other diseases, we will make every effort possible to avoid exposing them to COVID-19.

B) Upon arrival, please text/call us to let us know you've arrived. Then, wait in your car until we call you in, so as to reduce contact between other people in our office. We will greet you at the door and use a no touch thermal temperature screening to confirm that you do not have a fever.

C) Please use hand sanitizer, available in a touch less dispenser upon entry. Please follow CDC guidelines for best hand-washing practices. 

3. SANITATION PROCEDURES

Per State of Michigan COVID-19 mandates, we are implementing the following procedures:

Using Personal Protection Equipment:

• Wearing a clean face mask (when requested)
• Wearing clean scrubs/apron
• Wearing non-latex gloves and/or a face shield (depending on the needs of the session)

Washing our hands thoroughly before and after each client

Using freshly washed linens and blankets for each session

Sanitizing the treatment table and equipment as needed

Sanitizing all commonly touched surfaces in the office regularly

Using window fans and air purifiers, to increase air circulation, and reduce possible transmission of infection

 

Lastly, we appreciate your understanding that we now must adapt to new practices. Those of you who are not yet ready to receive massage, please know we understand completely, since the pandemic is taking a huge toll on all of us, financially and otherwise. we hope that when your circumstances improve, you will consider calling us for an appointment again. Thank you for being our clients. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming you back to a safe, therapeutic touch environment.

Yours in health,

Ann Arbor Massage Therapists