Massage Bill of Rights is an acronym for Massage Therapist's Bill of Rights. The therapist has the right to ask questions and to learn about his clients' conditions, health, and other concerns. Also, he has the right to make decisions regarding the use of massage. There is a difference between client/patient privilege and therapist/patient privilege.
First of all, you have the right to receive the first appointment for a massage. The therapist will respect your privacy during this first appointment, but he will respect your right to privacy after the first appointment. In other words, you have the right to refuse the first appointment for a massage. However, you have to accept what the therapist tells you, whether it is good news or bad news. You should accept any instructions given by your therapist in a spirit of cooperation.
If you decide to go to another salon or spa, you still have the first appointment right? Of course! If you are unhappy with something and tell the therapist you are unhappy, you still have the right to stay around to discuss it. If the therapist tells you that you cannot have another massage right then, you might as well tell him that you have the right to refuse another massage in the future, regardless of the reason. However, if the reason for refusing the massage is as simple as not wanting another massage, you will be given the same treatment no matter which salon or spa you go to.
If you want more than just a massage, you also have the right to receive another message. So, if you were happy with your first massage, don't hesitate to ask for another one. The same applies if you were not happy with the first massage. Again, you have the right to tell your massage therapist that you would like another massage, and they must honor your request. However, the therapist may only refuse you another massage after they have performed the first one properly.
The Massage Bill of Rights also guarantees that you will get quality work from your massage therapist. This means that he will provide you with only those deep tissue massage strokes that will help you reduce pain and prevent any long-term damages. You will not have to spend hours together in a therapist's office waiting for a workout. If you get five good-quality massage strokes from your massage therapist each week, you will be able to reduce pain related to chronic conditions, such as lower back pain, and improve circulation.
Your massage therapist should also help you prevent injuries. As previously mentioned, you have the right to ask him to avoid putting pressure on sensitive areas like your back, neck, and shoulder, or to perform the massage strokes in a certain way. He should also offer alternative treatments, such as acupuncture, or herbal therapy if you prefer. If he refuses to offer alternative treatment choices or spends more time massaging someone else than he should be, you may wish to see if he is registered with the State Massage Therapy Board.
In addition to getting quality work done, you also have the right to choose the best therapist for your needs. Do you want a therapist who specializes in sports medicine, or a therapeutic massage? Perhaps you would prefer a therapist who offers prenatal massage therapy, deep tissue massage, or Swedish massage. It is up to you to make the choice that will benefit you the most. There is no point in going into a massage therapy career knowing nothing about the different types of techniques and methods that are used; once you start working, you will learn more about the various techniques and methods that are used and which ones you prefer.
Massage Bill of Rights is not an infringement of the rights of massage therapists who practice within their legal rights to provide massage therapy services. As massage therapists, they have a right to be free to serve their clients with respect. By law, they are also bound to keep their clients in safe, comfortable, and pain-free environments.
