Bodywork in the Covid-19 Era

The Pandemic of 2020 has completely disrupted how society works, plays, and even receives massage therapy. In spite of the virus, people still need therapeutic bodywork and is considered in many cases to be an essential service. Sadly, since the Shelter At Home order, many people have stopped exercising and taking care of themselves. Today many of us are suffering even more than usual and even injuring ourselves after months of inactivity. It’s clear professional therapeutic bodywork is an essential service.

Today, there’s a lot of confusion in the bodywork industry about what is safe and even what is legal — since many businesses have been closed, then reopened, and then closed again. To make it even more confusing, in California, Governor Newsom opened and then closed massage parlors, spas, salons, and even med spas because they are classified as non-essential personal care businesses. Today they are closed again with some exception. The exception are businesses providing “therapeutic services” versus “personal care services”. Thus, most massage businesses, particularly spas are clearly either closed or working outside.

In the case of therapeutic businesses, like ours, we are able to legally operate based on Health Department rulings from both the state and San Diego county. The reason is becasue we provide a “medical massage” or also what’s known as therapeutic bodywork, while the average massage company is not in the business of outcome-based therapy for stress, pain, or injury but primarily of relaxation.

What is medical massage? Medical massage is outcome-based massage, primarily the application of a specific treatment targeted to the specific problem(s). The patient presents with a diagnosis and are administered after a thorough assessment/evaluation by the medical massage therapist with specific outcomes being the basis for treatment. It is also known as clinical massage or treatment massage.

Though medical massage is any massage treatment used to treat specific medical conditions. There is no one technique that is medical massage. Medical massage is taking whatever style of massage the practitioner knows and applying that technique to specific conditions to bring about specific outcome.

So while it is legal for us to be open. the next question is: is it safe?

It is quite safe compared to going to a grocery store or even the beach because of the level of care we take to keep you safe from viral exposure. From day one on our reopening in June, we took many steps to ensure safety of our staff and clients.

First, all who enter must be wearing a medical-grade mask (not a bandana or cloth covering). If they do not have one, we provide it free of charge. Wearing a mask is one of the smartest ways to prevent the spread of any virus as long as all parties are covered.

Second, our HVAC systems are designed to filter particles down to 2.5um and we also deploy local HEPA filters in common areas as well. We even equip the private rooms with UV-C filter systems as well. Our air is basically triple filtered, so with masks and triple filtering, airborne substances are reduced to near zero.

Third, every staff member is wellness checked, which includes temperature testing and self-assessment. Any physical complaint such as sore throat, dry cough, or even fatigue are red flags and they cannot work. Also, every client that enters is also temperature tested. Anyone over 100 degrees are turned away.

Fourth, We provide for 30 minutes between sessions to completely sanitize every surface in the therapy rooms from floor to ceiling. Of course all linens are replaced. We have always been highly sanitary but today we go to very long lengths for your safety.

Fifth, we also operate at 50% capacity to keep your interaction with another client down to an absolute minimum. This is how we operate in the Covid-19 era and we don’t expect to see anything change substantially until next year.

How long will we be going this? Our guess is for at least 3 months and even after Covid 19 is not a pandemic, many of these practices will remain for years to come. Be safe and don’t forget to take care of your wellness and your body.