A lot of clients experience some anxiety when meeting a massage therapist for their first appointment. Inviting a mobile massage therapist into your home can add to the list of anxiety-provoking questions you may have.
I hope to answer some of the questions you may have about what to expect at our first appointment:
- How much space do you need?
- What should I wear?
- What should I do about my dogs/cats/house llamas?
- Will you help with my problem areas?
Pre- First Appointment
Feel free to indicate in your appointment request the specific reasons you are seeking a massage.
- Are you experiencing pain? If so, where?
- Are there any movements or actions that you are unable to perform without pain? For example, “I can hardly get in or out of bed.”
- Are you seeking simple stress relief?
Immediately before your first appointment, I will text or call you to confirm that I am on my way and provide you with an ETA. Whenever possible, I plan to arrive at least 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment time.
Arrival
When I arrive, I’ll be carrying my massage table (for standard massage sessions) or a floor mat (for Thai sessions) and a bag of supplies. I will carry the table or mat to the area you have set aside for the session.
Space Requirements
You should choose an area of your home that is relaxing and free of traffic from other members of your household. The massage table is roughly 4 feet wide by 6 feet long. I will need space to move freely around all four sides of the table. I have found that quiet dining rooms or dens/living rooms work best. A large master-suite bedroom can also be a good choice.
Setup and Intake Form
If you have not already filled out an Intake Form, I will provide you with one to complete while I am setting up the mat or table. Most clients prefer to provide their own linens for the session.
For a standard massage I will need:
- Two sheets
- flat sheets are fine
- One pillowcase
- One standard towel
For a Thai Massage I will need:
- One flat sheet
- One standard towel
Pets
As a general rule, I have no problem with pets. If you have an anxious pet it may be best if she is confined to an area away from the massage workspace. Sometimes dogs are frightened by the massage table and may behave in an unexpectedly aggressive way.
Music
I bring a portable speaker and have several playlists ranging from spa-type music to modern pop that I can use for our session. You are more than welcome to provide your own selection of music you find relaxing.
First Appointment Assessment
After I have the workspace set up, I will go over the intake form with you, discussing the areas of pain you have described. I will also assess your standing posture and if you are able to walk, I may ask you to take a few steps so that I may assess your gait.
Payment
I take many different forms of payment, including credit cards, cash, and even cryptocurrency. Any applicable discounts such as the back-to-back session discount, provided table discount, or other promotional offers will be applied at this time.
Session
I will step into the bathroom to thoroughly wash my hands and allow you to undress and lie face down on the table under the top sheet. If we are doing a Thai or Shiatsu session, you do not need to undress (you should be wearing loose comfortable clothing) but you will lie face down on top of the sheet I have placed over the mat.
The massage will begin with several warm up techniques and then focused work will begin.
In order to maintain my schedule and not impact other client appointments, sessions will end promptly at the arranged time. In other words, any time that you have to spend gathering supplies, wrangling pets or children will impact the amount of time I have for your treatment.
Ethics
As a member of the American Massage Therapy Association, I follow a strict code of conduct and ethical standards. Inappropriate sexual behavior will not be tolerated.
In other words, I do not provide “sensual” or “erotic” massage.
If you are seeking a “happy ending,” I will be more than willing to direct you to the nearest movie theater.
I reserve the right to end a massage session at any time if I feel unsafe or if repeated advances are made. Refunds will not be given.
Session Extension
Extensions may be available if my schedule allows for extra time. Near the end of our time, I will ask you if there are any areas that you feel I should spend additional focus on or if you’d like to extend the session. Extensions are made in increments of 15 minutes.
Post Session
At the end of our session, I will step out of the room to wash my hands and allow you to get dressed.
Aftercare Instructions
While I am packing up my supplies and table, I will provide you with aftercare instructions. This may include some specific stretching techniques, yoga poses, or ice/heat recommendations.
Rebooking
For clients experiencing pain or chronic conditions, we may discuss an ongoing treatment plan of multiple sessions. I am able to book and confirm future appointments from my mobile device.
Continuity of care is important with any health professional. My goal is to establish a long-term relationship as your massage therapist. Future appointments will not require such a thorough intake and assessment, leaving more time for your session.
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