Policies & Procedures

At Athens Center for Massage Therapy it is our intention to provide our clients with a professional therapeutic massage experience. The following policies and procedures have been put in place to aid in offering an outstanding massage experience to all of our clients as well as to be respectful of our therapist’s time…

Please arrive for your appointment 10 minutes prior to the scheduled starting time. This allows you the time to fill out appropriate paperwork (new clients), change, and prepare for your massage session. All massages have a specific time schedule and early arrival allows for a relaxed and unhurried experience.

Please be aware that if you arrive late for an appointment, it is subject to be shortened or rescheduled. If your session is shortened due to late arrival, you will still be charged for the originally scheduled session.

Please provide at least 24 hours notice should you need to reschedule or cancel an appointment. Should you fail to give a 24 hour cancellation notice on more than two occasions, you will be asked to pre-pay for all future services. We reserve the right to charge you 25% of the cost of the missed appointment on all forms of payment including gift certificates and massage packages. 

In an effort to prevent the spread of illness,  we kindly ask that you reschedule your massage appointment if you have experienced any of the following symptoms within the last 48 hours:

• Fever
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Contagious or unexplained rash (including poison ivy)

Clients who fail to show for appointments may be asked to pre-pay for future services. We reserve the right to charge you 25% of the cost of the missed appointment on all forms of payment including gift certificates and massage packages 

Payment is due at the time services are rendered

Forms of payment accepted include: 

• Cash 
• Check
• Visa 
• Master Card 
• American Express
• Discover

Gratuities are greatly appreciated but not required.

Please be aware that a $35.00 fee will apply to returned checks.

• Gift certificates are non-refundable have no cash value.
• Gift certificates cannot be used to purchase gift certificates.
• Gift certificates are not valid until payment has been received and successfully processed.
• Athens Center for Massage Therapy reserves the right to refuse service or reverse any gift certificate purchase for any reason and return the funds to the purchaser.
• Gift certificates do not expire unless otherwise stated on the certificate.
• The gift certificate *must* be presented at the time services are rendered. No certificate, no service!
• Any unused balance on the gift certificate will remain until redeemed. 
• If a purchase exceeds the amount listed on the gift certificate, the redeemer is responsible for paying the difference.
• Gift certificates are only redeemable by the person whose name appears on the certificate.
• For security purposes, a recipient may be required to show valid ID before he/she can redeem the gift certificate.
• Athens Center for Massage Therapy is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged gift certificates

  SCOPE OF PRACTICE

• The therapist is a state licensed & board certified professional that is held to the highest standards of the National Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork.
• Massage Therapy is a profession in which the practitioner applies manual techniques with the intention of positively affecting the health and well-being of the client. 
• Massage Therapists do not diagnose medical conditions.

RESPECT FOR CLIENT NEEDS AND BOUNDARIES

• The therapist is happy to adjust pressure,  room temperature, and music volume at the clients request.
• The client may choose to leave on as much clothing is as needed for comfort, refuse any massage methods, and/or stop the massage session at any time.
• 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.

PROFESSIONAL BOUNDARIES

• We do not provide massage therapy services to anyone under the age of 18 without a parent/guardian’s written consent. In addition the parent/guardian must be present at all times during the massage session.
• The breast and genital areas will not be massaged under any circumstances. Permission will be asked before working close to these areas, otherwise a professional distance will be maintained. Hip & gluteal areas will be only be massaged with permission and can be worked through the draping if requested.
• Requests for sexual activity will not be tolerated, will be viewed as solicitation, and will be reported to the proper authorities. The client will not be rescheduled for any future sessions if this occurs.

CONFIDENTIALITY AND CONVERSATION

• We value your privacy. We will never give, lease, sell, or otherwise disclose your personal information – period. Any information you give to ACMT will be held with the utmost care and will not be used in ways to which you have not consented.
• 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. 

NEW & EXISTING MEDICAL CONDITIONS

• 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.