Cold, Flu, and COVID-19 Policy Client Guidelines and Precautions

Suzan D. Walker LMT 104331
Sep 21
3 min read

Updated: Sep 24

Man in a white shirt holding a tissue to his nose, appearing contemplative. Blurry dark background adds a subdued feel. — **Cover your coughs and sneezes.** Always use a tissue or your elbow when coughing or sneezing, and wash your hands immediately after.

Your health and safety are always my top priority. To ease the minds of my clients, I want to clarify my policies and the precautions I take regarding colds, flu, and COVID-19.

I do not and never have accepted clients who are sick with a cold, fever, flu, COVID-19, or any other contagious infection. This protects both you and others who visit my office.

To ensure the safety and wellbeing of every client, I maintain strict hygiene and sanitation practices in my office. After each session, the room is fully disinfected, trash is removed, and fresh, clean sheets are placed on the massage table. I also use multiple layers of protection, including air purifiers, an ionizer, a HEPA filter with virus protection, UV lights, and regular vacuuming to keep the air clean. All surfaces are cleaned with an FDA-approved hydrogen peroxide cleaner and additional disinfectant sprays. I wash my hands thoroughly before and after each massage, wear gloves for most clients, and follow all state health and hygiene laws. These combined practices help keep colds, flu, COVID-19, and other illnesses out of my office while providing you with a safe and comfortable environment.

Client Guidelines, Precautions, and Recommendations

Reschedule if you are sick. If you have symptoms of a cold, flu, or COVID-19 such as fever, sore throat, body aches, congestion, or cough, please do not book a massage. You may reschedule your appointment once symptoms have fully resolved after 7 days.
See your doctor if symptoms persist. If your cold or flu lasts longer than three days, or if you have severe or worsening symptoms, schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider.
Cover your coughs and sneezes. Always use a tissue or your elbow when coughing or sneezing, and wash your hands immediately after.
Practice good hand hygiene. Wash your hands after using the restroom and whenever in contact with mucus, saliva, or other bodily fluids. Hand sanitizer is a good backup when soap and water are not available.
Support your immune system. Rest, stay hydrated, eat nutritious foods, and consider supplements or remedies such as Vitamin C, elderberry, or those recommended by your doctor to stay well.
Avoid exposure when possible. If someone in your household or workplace is sick, take precautions such as wearing a mask, frequent handwashing, and extra self-care.
Monitor your temperature and exposure. Take your temperature at home if you feel unwell. If you have been exposed to someone with a contagious illness, wait a few days to ensure you remain symptom-free before booking.
Practice stress management. Stress can weaken your immune system. Gentle stretching, meditation, or deep breathing exercises can help keep your body resilient.
Rest and recover. Proper rest and hydration are key to bouncing back quickly from illness.
Listen to your body. If you feel fatigued or “run down,” it is best to rest and postpone your massage until your body feels stronger.
Wait after vaccinations. If you have recently received a vaccination such as a flu shot or COVID-19 vaccine or booster, please wait at least 7 to 14 days before scheduling a massage. This allows time for possible side effects such as fatigue, soreness, headache, or fever to resolve and ensures your body has time to recover.
Follow your therapist’s discretion. As your massage therapist, I reserve the right to reschedule or decline service if signs of illness are present during check-in. This ensures the safety of everyone in that visits my office.

Massage therapy is intended to support wellness, not to treat illness. If you are under the weather, the best way to care for yourself and others is to wait until you are well before scheduling.

As the old saying goes: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Thank you,

Susan Walker LMT