Personal Hygiene

At massage therapy classes, we were taught to have good personal hygiene and
professional image. Personal hygiene starts from a person’s attitude. The way you
carry and present yourself, the manner in which you maintain your surroundings all
comes down to personal hygiene.

During a message session the therapist is in such close contact with the client that
therapist breath, appearance and body odor leaves an impression on the client. Good
personal hygiene a good impression and a welcoming environment for the massage
session, the client and even the therapist.

It is recommended that therapist must practice handwashing or hand cleansing,

wearing deodorant, using breath fresheners etc. as part of their personal and sanitary
hygiene daily routine.

Standard Precautions recommend cleansing hands with alcohol by rubbing or by

washing them with hands with warm soapy water for minimum of ten seconds. When
it comes to nails they should be trimmed short for clients comfort.

Hygiene in the workplace

Facilities for the massage session should always be clean, sanitized and or sterilized to
prevent the spread of germs

Sheets, towels, disposable coverings and headrest covers used in treatment rooms
shall be changed after each customer

Cleaning is carried out to remove dirt, dust and other substances that may harbor
microorganisms or allow them to proliferate.  Cleaning is performed according to the
following synergy: water+detergent+manual or mechanical action.  While the manual
or mechanical action of removing dirt is essential, detergent acts by chemically binding
greasy substances and other substances with water.
Moreover, the emergence of multi-resistant bacteria and of more virulent strains,
which remain in the environment and resist the usual methods of cleaning, explains
why the addition of a disinfection procedure is considered essential in certain cases. 
Various factors influence the requirements for cleaning and disinfection.  Upkeep in
care equipment must take into account the functional diversity of various equipment,
i.e. the medical activities practiced, the type of care provided, the type of patient
served (the patient’s susceptibility, whether or not he or she is a recognized pathogen
carrier, etc.),  the number of patients served, the presence or absence of sinks, etc. 
As such, some areas will require a particular standard of hygiene and sanitation, i.e.
operating rooms, intensive care equipment, graft and transplant units, neonatal
services, sterilization rooms, etc.

Safety

Clients look to the massage practice for a relaxing safe haven.

Most often safety is an aspect that has been overlooked; from a lack of formal safety
training or disregard for it; in favor of clientele development. Safety is either ignored
or deemed less important than everything else.

Importance of Safety

The best safety measure is prevention.

When it comes to Safety, the slightest mistake could end up in the loss of a longtime
client or even a lawsuit.

Lack of it could also result in serious loss of reputation which could cause the business
to collapse. Therefore, no matter how safe the practice is on the surface it should not
hurt to have that extra edge when it comes to serving clients

PHYSICAL SAFETY FEATURES

1 Check the sidewalk and entrance to the practice/ spa for obstacles and toe catchers.

2 Keep rugs to a minimum, making sure they do not pose a threat.

3 Assure that equipment’s (massage table, mats, lightings etc.) is in proper working.
Seems trivial but is extremely important,
4 Clients come from all walks of life: age, size or even disabilities. Having a practice
that is easily accessible is vastly beneficial; making sure to have safe pass entry and
exit ways with wheelchair access.

5 Review and approve your building maintained and cleaning plans.

6 Check stability of railings along stairways and hallways.

7 Create a standard protocol for collecting an incident report from a client that has
had an accident due to the physical feature of your building.

MEDICAL PREPAREDNESS

1 Learn to administer first aid, including CPR. A client could have a medical condition
that could be triggered by anything, at any time.

2 Keep your First Aid Kit easily accessible; preparing for a medical emergency, as you
could help save a life.

3 Remind clients to dispose of candy or gum before they get on the massage table.

4 Practice universal precautions as standard procedures.

5 Take a thorough interview before performing a massage asking about personal and
health information etc.

PERSONAL SECURITY

1 Set office policies regarding personal property, loss, restricted access and personal
privacy.

2 Ask clients to read and sign information which explains what to expect during a
massage and giving their personal history, to therapist (like name, address, and
allergy)

3 Have a plan for handling inappropriate comments and behavior by clients.

4 Have emergency numbers in case you need to call for assistance.

5 Screen first-time clients to verify that they clearly understand the nature of massage
therapy.

HEALTH

The most important in Health Code Standard is educating cleanliness and encouraging
employees to take necessary steps in making session rooms healthy and ready
always.

QUALITY OF PRODUCTS

Massage therapy involves using lotions and essential oils directly into the skin. This is
why product each client should be purchased of the best quality. Buying quality
products from certified dealers and sellers could help ensure that you are getting top
of the line products.

This could keep your clients happy and safe with your service.

If you are in doubt about ingredients you should get more information regarding that
ingredient and its side effects. Even educating the clients about the products you are
using; can be very essential to both you and the client.

There are also important factors on the impact of the products shelf life, keeping
records or track of expiry dates is another form of quality products maintained.
Sunlight, heat and exposure to air can all have detrimental effects on products. Which
means container sealed and out of direct sunlight makes a huge difference on how
long products will last.

STERLIZATION

The process of making something free from bacteria or other living microorganisms.

In the Beauty and Massage Industry following strict sterilization techniques is

important. Sterilization kills any bacteria and viruses that is on the surface of
equipment and helps the prevention of transmission. It can be done in a number of
ways: use of chemicals, radiation, boiling etc.
In a massage clinic this process is mandate

Hand- the masseuse needs to wash their hands before and after each client.

Towels, bed-covers etc. need to be sterilized after each use at hot temperatures to kill
germs and bacteria, new linen should be placed, ready for next client.

Bed needs to clean by spraying or wiping with cleaning agents or sterilizers.

Foot Rest, Head Rest needs to be changed and washed for use of next client.

HOW DISEASES ARE SPREAD

Infectious diseases are transmitted from person to person by direct or indirect contact.
Certain types of viruses, bacteria, parasite and fungi all cause infectious diseases.

REDUCING THE RISK

Massage Therapist can decrease their risk of infections by following good hygiene
practice:

-if accidental contact with the skin of infected client occurs, immediately wash the area
of contact with soap and warm water, dry thoroughly with a clean towel.

-wash contaminated linens (using sterilizing techniques) bacteria and fungi cannot
survive in high temperatures

- When using lubricants from containers, consider using a disposable applicator. Dip
once and dispose of the remaining when finished.

RESPOND TO INFECTIOUS CLIENT

1 Be informed

2 Decide on a plan of action.

EFFICIENCY

Being efficient is working hard to complete tasks speedily and diligently

AS Massage Therapist there are ways to be efficient and still keep clients happy and
healthy

Making sure everyone works as a team: as simple as putting on a uniform makes a

huge difference; shows you belong to something, you are going somewhere and we
have a goal (something to achieve).

Maintaining client record: making sure they are updated as new clients, maintain an
interview keeping records of what you have learnt about your client; if there is any
change in their information.

Continually train your employees: tasks of employees can change dramatically over
the course of employment; if you’ve taken the business direction or started using a
new technology.

Managing work hours: means prioritize, organizing your schedule sometimes there
maybe not enough time between clients; so finding ways to make changes or clean
ups quicker and easier is an asset.

Maintain consistent standards: once you have found strategies that work for you keep
them; avoid confusion.

Maintain customer service: clean, friendly, a welcoming atmosphere for clients to feel
comfortable and relaxed.

Massage Therapy is customer service.