Policies

GENERAL
Clients have the right to a clean, safe, and comfortable equipment and to be treated with dignity and respect. A client has the right to stop a treatment at any time, for any reason. Clients have the responsibility to communicate their preferences, expectations and concerns. Clients are responsible for communicating an accurate health history and any contraindications for massage prior to their session.

INFORMED CONSENT
Prior to each session, the therapist will ask about any current or past heath issues or injuries, and if there are any reasons why the client should not receive massage, or areas the client prefers avoided. The therapist will ask for the client to communicate any discomfort or concern that should arise during the session. The therapist will tell the client how they will begin and a possible treatment plan.

RESPECT AND CLIENT BOUNDARIES:
Massage Therapists will gladly adjust pressure, technique, and area at client's request. Clients have the responsibility to communicate their preferences to their therapist so the therapist can provide you with the best experience possible. The client may choose to refuse any massage technique, or to end the massage at any time. The client will always be modestly draped. Occasionally an emotional response to massage occurs. If this happens it is OK to express your feelings, request privacy or end the session.

PROFESSIONAL BOUNDARIES
Breast and genital areas will not be massaged. Permission will be asked before working near these areas, and a professional distance will be maintained at all times. On rare occasions an involuntary sexual response to massage will happen. This is natural and will subside on its own in a few moments. Sexual interaction of any kind between the client and the massage therapist is never appropriate.

Client requests for sexual activity will not be tolerated. Such requests will result in immediate termination of services, will be viewed as solicitation, and reported to the proper authorities.

CONFIDENTIALITY AND CONVERSATION COMMUNICATION & HIPAA COMPLIANCE
Any discussion between a massage therapist and the client is confidential. Any health information disclosed, observed or treated will be kept confidential under Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) law. HIPAA law will be observed in all exchanges of information, and third parties will be held accountable to act within HIPAA law as well. Because of the nature of Chair Massage, in that chair massage is generally preformed in a fast paced, public setting the client consents to treatment after they communicate with their therapist. No written health records will be made or retained.

EXISTING AND NEW MEDICAL CONDITIONS
It is the responsibility of the client to keep the massage therapist informed of any significant health changes or of any active or ongoing medical treatments.

YOUR MASSAGE APPOINTMENT

If a client is unprepared or access and location are unavailable for the therapist to star at the assigned time, your bill will not be reduced. If a therapist is late, or the client wishes to extend the session, your bill will be adjusted accordingly.
Expect hands on session times to run 30-90 seconds shorter than what is scheduled. This allows the therapist time intake and exit discussions as well as sterilization of equipment. If you are late to your appointment, your massage time may be shortened if it is necessary for the therapist to maintain a schedule.

CANCELLATION POLICY
Please provide at least 72 hours notice if you need to reschedule or cancel a treatment. Clients who cancel with fewer than 72 hours notice may be charged 70% of their service total and future appointments will be invoiced in advance.

For Employee or Individual Paid Massage There is a 12 hour cancellation limit. If a Person Fails to cancel or reschedule their massage within 12 hours, their payment or deposit is forfeit.

Obviously Life happens and we will be willing to work with any reasonable request or consideration.

PRICING
The cost is $110 per billable hour of massage. 
Additional costs per therapist may be applied under special circumstances, all will be agreed to beforehand.
$30 for travel time outside of the therapists service area (over 30 minutes one way travel time).
$20 for disposables when doing high volume.
$14 for parking (if applicable).

PAYMENT
Terms: Payable upon receipt or Net 30 upon request.

Check, VISA and Master Card, ACH, and Venmo.

See sample invoice and attached waiver here.

BREAK POLICY

Therapists will be entitled to a break after 2 or 3 hours of work depending on their preferences. The break will be unpaid and will likely match the scheduled length of massage sessions, or a multiple there of.
Therapists will be entitled to a “lunch” break after 5 hours. Lunch breaks will be paid at their hourly rate.
Therapists will be entitled to a second break after 7 hours.

GRATUITIES
Gratuities are welcome and much appreciated although they are not mandatory. 100% of gratuities are paid directly to therapists. Portland Massage Arts pays it’s subcontractors a high rate to avoid the dependence on gratuities to make the therapist’s time “worth it.” Gratuities while not expected are extremally well received. Service and gift certificate prices do not include gratuities.

Portland Massage Arts encourages it’s contracted therapists not to place a tip jar, or solicit gratuities in most circumstances. If an individual client is moved to tip of their own volition PMA allows the therapist to accept gratuities if it does not pose any significant disruption to service.

Portland Massage Arts supports it’s contracted therapists to distribute their clinic’s information if requested by the client. PMA does not condone its contracted therapists to solicit their services to clients, though they may post an unobtrusive sign, banner, business card or sticker.

Portland Massage Arts does not condone the collection of client’s data except when a client requests a follow up from a therapist.

REFERRALS
Referrals are our #1 form marketing and are greatly appreciated. Please provide an introduction, and or name and contact details. Thank you gifts and payments of up to $100 are applicable where appropriate.

REVIEWS & TESTIMONIALS
Reviews and testimonials are Extremally helpful. Please consider leaving one if you are moved to do so. PMA is unable to reward or otherwise incentivize reviews and testimonials due to platform policies and ethics.

CONSIDERATION FOR CLIENTS WHO ARE MINORS
A discussion with the parent or guardian as well as the minor will take place before any session to discuss the parameters of the session.

SCOPE OF PRACTICE
Massage therapists are licensed professionals and held to the highest standards of the Oregon Board of Massage Therapists. (503) 365-8657. Massage Therapy is a profession in which the practitioner applies manual techniques, and may apply adjunctive therapies, with the intention of positively affecting the health and well-being of the client.

Massage Therapists do not diagnose or prescribe for medical conditions, 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.