Massage is an Essential Service
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, spas and other massage vendors have had to suspend massage operations. Meanwhile, most people are unaware that massage remains available as an Essential Service when it’s medically recommended. With the additional stresses of fear, isolation, frustration and lack of touch, massage is more essential now than ever to support optimal health and resilience to diseases like COVID-19.
- You can receive massage treatments if you have a medical referral on file with your provider.
- To obtain a medical referral for massage, email or visit your healthcare provider and let them know how you feel massage would benefit you. Mention the symptoms you are experiencing that can be addressed by massage, such as:
- Chronic stress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
- Fibromyalgia
- Muscle or joint pain
- High blood pressure
- Insomnia
- Digestive disorders
- Headaches
- Poor circulation
- Chronically tight muscles
- Sports injuries
- Soft tissue injuries or strain
- TMJ disorders
- Disrupted or restless sleep
- Arthritis
- Myofascial pain
- Edema/swelling
- Immobile muscles or joints (such as frozen shoulder)
- If you suffer from any of these conditions, you’re a candidate for a Medical Massage referral.
- Ask your MD, Naturopath or Chiropractor to provide you a massage referral on their professional letterhead. See the sample email/letter below for ideas of how to request this.
- Sample Doctor’s Letter (actual content in regular writing, suggestions in italics):
- When you acquire your medical massage referral, email a copy to your massage provider.
- Once it is on file, you may contact your provider to schedule your massage. All safety guidelines are observed to protect you and your provider.
- Only ONE note must be attained.
- Your note will be kept on-file and applied to all future massages.
- You do NOT need to obtain a separate note for each massage.
- You may obtain a note from your MD, Naturopath or Chiropractor.