Client-Practitoner Agreement & Policy Statement
At VIVAWELLNESS, it is our intention to provide our clients with professional and therapeutic services in a relaxing and friendly environment. The following policies and procedures serve as a guide for our first-time and repeating clients.
Appointment Policies
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We provide a mobile/onsite service Monday-Sunday, 8 am-8 pm by appointment only. We recommend scheduling your appointment as far in advance as possible to ensure availability. Emergency or same-day appointments may be accepted at the discretion of the massage therapist, depending on availability. Contact for availability.
Please arrive for your appointment 10-15 minutes prior to the scheduled starting time to allow time to fill out the appropriate client intake form (new clients), change, and prepare for the service. This also allows time to discuss any questions you may have to get the most out of your service. All treatment sessions have a specific time schedule and early arrival allows for a relaxed experience.
Services are offered at 30 minutes, 60 minutes, and 90 minutes. Different times are offered to accommodate client needs and schedules.
Depending on your assessment, we recommend scheduling your initial 3 appointments every 2-3 weeks, and then maintenances massage once per month (or more if you have an injury to rehabilitate) to maintain your health and promote overall wellbeing. Maintenance massage sessions has been shown to improve sleep, strengthen the immune system and reduce overall stress.
Some clients may experience soreness the next day (if firmer pressure was used in the session) This should not last more than two days.
It is best not to arrive to your session with a full stomach as you may experience discomfort from the techniques and body positioning during your session.
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We highly discourage alcohol consumption or drugs prior to or immediately following massage as these may affect your body’s ability to receive the work safely.
Cancellations
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We value your business and respectfully ask that you respect our scheduling policies. Should you need to reschedule or cancel, please notify us at least 24 hours in advance.
Any cancellations with less than 24 hours of notice will be charged the $50 deposit made to book appointments.
NO SHOWS will be charged the $50 deposit made to book appointments.
Appointments made within 24 hours are automatically subject to cancellation fees.
Lateness Policy
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If late arrival is inevitable, no fee is charged but your service may be shortened to keep on schedule, and we may deduct those minutes from your appointment time. This ensures that all clients are seen at their appointed time. Thank you for your time and consideration of the therapist and other clients.
Emergencies
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We understand that emergencies and illnesses occur (sudden illness, family emergencies, etc.). If an emergency arises, please let us know so that we can treat your specific situation with personal attention. Late cancellations due to emergency, illness, or inclement weather will generally not result in any session charges, but this is determined on a case-by-case basis.
Respect for Client Needs and Boundaries
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Our full-body massage sessions may include the face, head, chest, abdomen, inner thigh near groin, and gluteal regions. If you are uncomfortable with any of these areas, please inform the therapist. We are happy to adjust pressure, musical volume, work longer on an area or move on if you request it. Inform your therapist at any point during the massage if the pressure being applied is too much or outside of your preferred comfort level. If you feel any discomfort, please inform the therapist immediately so that they may accommodate you.
Maintaining our client’s modesty is extremely important to us. After a brief intake and discussion of your goals for the session, the therapist will step out of the therapy room so that you can disrobe to your personal level of comfort and get situated under the sheet on the massage table. The therapist will knock on the door before re-entering to ensure you are ready. During the massage, the client will always be modestly draped. Only the area being massaged will be undraped. The client may refuse any massage methods or stop the massage at any time.
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We use unscented oils and creams. If you have a preference between the two, please let us know.
If any aromatherapy oils or creams are to be used, we will inform you before your session to prevent any adverse or allergic reactions.
Inappropriate Behavior
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Massage therapy is for therapeutic purposes only. Sexual interaction or discussion of any kind between the client and massage therapist is NEVER appropriate. Any insinuation, joke, gesture, conversation, or request will result in immediate termination of your session and a refusal of any, and all services in the future. You will be charged the full-service fee regardless of the length of your session. Any inappropriate behavior will be immediately reported to law enforcement. Treat your therapist with respect and dignity and you will be treated the same in return.
Confidentiality & Communication
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Information gathered during all our client’s sessions are strictly confidential unless we obtain the consent of the individual or as required by law. Questions asked regarding your health during these sessions help to protect you from potential injury during your massage and better personalize your massage needs.
Conversation or silence are both welcome. Some clients feel more relaxed having a conversation throughout the massage, others enjoy peace and quiet. If you would like to talk, we are here to provide a safe and professional space. If you would prefer complete silence, we completely support that. Whatever you need within our scope of practice, we are here to provide.
Sanitation & Hygiene
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Both the massage therapist and clients are required to follow proper hygiene etiquette. Due to health and safety regulations, the therapist reserves the right to refuse treatment due to improper hygiene. It is recommended that the client have showered the day of the massage and come to the appointment clean.
The client is to inform the massage therapist of any lesions in the skin, these areas will be avoided.
It is the massage therapist’s responsibility to assure that all equipment and materials used are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized prior to use with the client.
Before and after each massage, the massage therapist’s hands and forearms will be washed thoroughly. Any lesions of the skin will be covered with protective coverings.
Informed consent
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Prior to each session, the treatment plan and your goals will be discussed with you. At your first visit, you will be asked to sign the treatment consent form stating that you have read the information, understand it, and agree to comply with the professional massage therapy policies and procedures. Clients who we have not seen for at least a year may also be asked to fill out this form.
Scope of Practice
Massage Therapy is a profession in which the practitioner applies manual techniques to manipulate the soft tissue of the body and may apply supporting therapies with the intention of positively affecting the health and well-being of the client. Massage stimulates the natural restorative processes of the body and aids in reducing muscle tension.
As a licensed massage therapist in Miami, we do not work within the parameters of licensed medical professionals. We do not diagnose or prescribe for medical conditions. We are required to refer you to a medical professional for diagnosis and to follow recommendations of your physician. Our services are not intended as an alternative for proper medical attention. Please refer to a medical doctor for any specific condition which requires medical treatment.
Recourse Policy
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The client has the right to terminate services at any time before, during, or after the treatment session for any reason. If for any reason you are dissatisfied with your experience, you have the right to a partial refund (50%) if requested within 24 hours of the session. No refunds will be given if after this time period.
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Charges will be waived from the current session, or any future appointments scheduled. Any charges accrued through previous treatment will still be the responsibility of the client.
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Payment
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Payment is requested at the time of service. Payment can also be made before the session, or online with a credit card at the time of booking the appointment.
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Cash, debit, credit card, Venmo, and PayPal are all acceptable methods of payment. We do not accept insurance.
If you would like to purchase a series of sessions in advance, we are happy to offer a discount. Email us an inquiry and we will send our prices.
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Referrals
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If you refer a friend, you will receive $10 off your next session! This offer is valid only once per referral you send.
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Existing and New Medical Conditions
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It is the responsibility of the client to keep the massage therapist informed of any medical treatment 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 and any recent injuries that need to be either avoided or excused from a physician that massage treatment may continue.
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Health Concerns
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It is important that you inform the therapist if you are pregnant, have serious heart ailments, diabetes, high blood pressure, skin disorders, or any other medical conditions. If you have any of the conditions listed above, we recommend you consult your physician before scheduling any treatments.
If you have a cold, flu, stomach virus, poison ivy, skin rash, or anything contagious – please reschedule your appointment.
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Contraindications (a circumstance that makes a particular treatment inadvisable)
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There are several contraindications for receiving massage and bodywork. It is vital that you inform your therapist of all health and medical conditions prior to receiving any services or treatments. If a massage could be potentially harmful to a client’s condition, we reserve the right to decline the massage at no charge to the client.
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There are three types of Contraindications:
Total: when massage should not be performed at all.
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Fever
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Contagious diseases, including a cold or flu
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Under the influence of drugs or alcohol, including prescription pain medication
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Recent operations or acute injuries
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Neuritis
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Skin diseases
Local: when massage can be performed but not over the affected areas.
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Varicose veins
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Undiagnosed lumps or bumps
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Pregnancy
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Bruising
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Cuts
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Abrasions
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Sunburn
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Undiagnosed pain
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Inflammation, including arthritis
Medical: when massage can only be performed once medical permission has been granted by your physician.
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Cardio-vascular conditions (thrombosis, phlebitis, hypertension, heart conditions)
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Any condition already being treated by a medical practitioner
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Edema
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Psoriasis or edema
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High blood pressure
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Osteoporosis
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Cancer
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Nervous or psychotic conditions
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Heart problems, angina, those with pacemakers
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Epilepsy
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Diabetes
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Bell’s palsy, trapped or pinched nerves
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Gynecological infections
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Massage can be very therapeutic for many medical conditions. However, in the above cases, it is best to seek advice from your physician. Massage therapists may not, under law, attempt to diagnose a condition.
If you have further questions or concerns, please contact your physician.
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Disclaimer
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Although it is highly unlikely, these policies may be changed at any time at our discretion. If we should update these policies, we will post the updates to this page on our Website.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding our privacy policy, please direct them to vivawellnessmiami@gmail.com.