Policies/Procedures

At Massage Iowa, we understand that unanticipated events occur in everyone’s life. Unforeseen events such as sick children, car problems, traffic considerations, business meetings, and project deadlines, are just a few reasons why one might consider canceling a massage appointment.

In our commitment to provide a unique and outstanding massage experience to all of our clients and out of consideration for Melissa, we have adopted the following policies:

ARRIVAL TO YOUR SESSION

Please arrive for your appointment(s) 10 minutes prior to the scheduled starting time. This allows you the time to fill out the appropriate client forms, change and prepare for the service. All services offered have a specific time schedule and early arrival allows for a relaxed and unhurried experience. If late arrival is inevitable, your service(s) may be shortened in order to keep on schedule. Every client is important to us and since our sessions are for the full allotted time billed we want to be able to keep everyone on schedule which helps keep everyone’s lives a little more stress free.

PAYMENT POLICY

Payment is due in full at the time of services rendered. If there should be a return or decline on your payment, Massage Iowa will bill for service and additional charge to cover the bank fees.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Sessions not canceled within the 24 hour time frame there will be a 30.00 cancellation fee for 60 minute and 40.00 fee for 90 minute, 50.00 fee for 120 minute massage session.

If you are booking your massage within 24 hours of the actual appointment, there is no cancellation and you will be charged the full amount of the appointment.

If a client fails to cancel within 24 hours multiple times (2 or more), they will be asked to pre-pay for future services.

Please note if you are using a voucher of any kind your voucher is subject to be redeemed and void and a fee of the difference between your voucher price and the actual price of the service can be charged to your card.

Remember our time is valuable and there are many looking for massage appointments at the last minute and cancellations or no-shows cost us money. We are not only here to help you feel better but to make a living as well. Your health and business are both of importance to us.

LATE ARRIVAL POLICY

To be fair and courtesy to our other clients and staff, appointments will be automatically cancelled 15 minutes after scheduled start time and charged according to cancellation policy. We regret that late arrivals will not receive extension of scheduled appointments. In special cases, and when our schedule will allow, we may be able to accommodate a partial or full appointment. This will be at our discretion and only with proper, advanced notification of your late arrival.

SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

Sexual misconduct is NOT allowed! Client understands that any illicit or sexually aggressive remarks, advances or gestures will result in the immediate termination of the session and client will be liable for full payment of the scheduled appointment.

REFUND POLICY

We do not offer refunds on payments or deposits made to reserve chair massage, or any type of out-call services.

No refunds will be provided for deposits or monies paid or cancellations received less than 24 hours before a scheduled appointment. Cancellations received more than 1 week prior to the scheduled event are eligible for a 50% refund, and cancellations received less than 1 week prior to a scheduled event are eligible for a 25% refund. The owner(s) reserve the right to make the final decision on any and all refunds issued.

SICKNESS POLICY

Massage Iowa recognizes that both massage therapists and clients are vulnerable to infections and given that we ask clients to cancel appointments when they are feeling unwell and we will do the same for you. If you have any of the following contagious illnesses the massage session will be rescheduled: Cancellation fees will be waved do to sickness if appointment is rescheduled. Anything that is or could be contagious please reschedule your appointment.

Diarrhea, Vomiting, Fever, Sore Throat, Poison Ivy, Flu, Chicken Pox, Head Lice, Impetigo, Ringworm, Shingles, Common Cold.

We would like to request that children under 13 not receiving services are not left unattended during your service. Children under 17 must have a parent/ guardians signature on the intake form.

INFORMED CONSENT

Prior to each massage session, the treatment plan will be discussed with you; this is to make sure that the client and therapist are both working for the same goal. At your first visit with us you will fill out an intake form and receive a copy of the massage therapy policies and will be asked to sign the consent stating that you have read the information, understand it, and agree to comply with the professional massage therapy policies and procedures. Clients whom we have not seen for at least a year will also be asked to fill out and update this form.

SCOPE OF PRACTICE

Massage Iowa therapists are licensed professionals and held to the highest standards of the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals as well as the Iowa Department of State Health Services.

Massage Therapy is a profession in which the scientific manipulation of the soft tissues of the body for the purpose of normalizing those tissues and consists of manual techniques that include applying fixed or movable pressure, holding, and/or causing movement of or to the body, with the intention of positively affecting the health and well-being of the client.

Massage Therapists do not diagnose illness, disease or any other physical or mental disorder. As such, the massage therapist does not prescribe medical treatment or pharmaceuticals nor is any spinal adjustment performed. Massage therapy is not a substitute for medical attention, and it is essential that all health information provided be true and correct. Nor are they allowed to provide treatment for a specific condition without a doctor’s supervision. The massage therapist is required to refer you for diagnosis and to follow recommendations of your physician.

RESPECT FOR CLIENT NEEDS AND BOUNDARIES

The client may choose to: leave on as much clothing as needed for comfort, refuse any massage methods, stop massage at any time and is free to leave; the therapy door is never locked.

The client will always be modestly draped. Only the area being massaged will be undraped. The clients will be kept informed of the area to be massaged.

Occasionally, an emotional response to massage occurs. If this happens, it is ok to express the feelings in our safe, nonjudgmental environment – or you may request privacy and end the session. You are in control.

PROFESSIONAL BOUNDARIES

Requests for sexual activity will not be tolerated, will be viewed as solicitation, and reported to the proper authorities under the guidelines of the massage therapy policies and procedures. The client will not be rescheduled if this occurs.

The breast and genital area will not be massaged under any circumstances. Permission will be asked before working close to these areas; otherwise, a professional distance will be maintained. Also, low back, hip & gluteal area will be massaged only with permission and can be worked through the draping if requested.

Sexual interaction or discussion of any kind between the client and the massage therapist is NEVER appropriate. On rare occasions an involuntary sensual response to massage is natural and will subside on its own in a few moments.

We do not massage anyone under the age of 17 without signed intake form from parent/legal guardian. Parent must be present for first session and must be the one to schedule the appointment(s) after the first session.   Parent/legal guardian must be present in the room for anyone under the age of 13.

We have the right to refuse service and therapist or client may end the session at any time. If therapist ends session due to Sexual Misconduct full payment is due.

If the therapist feels at any point their safety is compromised, the session will be stopped immediately and authorities may be called and full payment is due.

CONFIDENTIALITY AND CONVERSATION

The discussion between the massage therapist and the client is confidential. The client may or may not choose to talk during the massage.

We are happy to listen to your conversation and share our professional expertise pertaining to our scope of practice. We prefer to not discuss topics of a political, private or sexual nature.

EXISTING AND NEW MEDICAL CONDITIONS

It is the responsibility of the client to keep the massage therapist informed of any medical treatment or medications currently being taken, and to provide written permission from the physician, chiropractor, physical therapist, etc., that the massage may be continued.

The client must also keep the massage therapist informed of any changes in health conditions, if you don’t tell us, we won’t know.

These policies and procedures are subject to change at any time.