The ultimate goal when setting up a massage-therapy work site is to create a retreat-like atmosphere. With each and every session you establish and maintain credibility and dependability as a professional massage therapist. For that reason, you’ll want to do your utmost before and during every appointment to make sure your clients feel comfortable and cared for. Whether you’re new to the profession or want to enliven your current space, the following seven tips will serve as helpful guidelines.

1 Be safe. Double check that your massage table or chair is fully opened and stationed on a stable surface. And it’s best to have the table headrest point away from where any doors or cabinets swing open.

Whenever possible, position yourself with a view of the entryway, letting you secure the room, so to speak. Arrange any massage tools within easy reach. A thoughtful addition is a sturdy stepping stool to assist smaller or elderly clients with getting on and off the massage table. Also be sure to leave enough space surrounding the massage table or chair for everyone to maneuver without effort.

2 Establish privacy. Purchase or make a large-print “Massage In Progress—Do Not Disturb” sign suitable for mounting, or to hang over the treatment-room doorknob. If the session is a house call or in a hotel-room setting, suggest to first-timers that their children and the family pets be cared for outside of the treatment area. Regularly observing both of these routines results in more complete relaxation for the client and more focused attention on the part of the therapist.

3 Monitor temperature. Allow enough fresh air, sunlight and warmth to support the fact that a resting body cools down. Be sure to adjust heat/AC vents so that forced air is not blowing directly at the massage table. Paired with a medium-weight cotton blanket, an electric table pad adds to the nurturing factor when the weather turns chilly.

4 Control lighting. Indirect, golden light soothes, and if there’s a dimmer switch to

adjust brightness, so much the better. Candlelight may not be feasible in every situation, but it can add elegance. Try to choose unscented, beeswax candles for an enclosed space. A good emergency lighting item to invest in is a plug-in flashlight. It could prove indispensable during a power outage to the client who suddenly finds her- or himself in the dark, trying to dress in relatively unfamiliar surroundings.

5 Create comfort. Provide clean, soft, color-matched linens, pillows and slippers. Set out tissue, hair clasps, fresh drinking water, maybe a hand-mirror, breath mints and lozenges. It’s also thoughtful to offer cool juice, fresh fruit, or energy bars, plus moist towelettes, or a spritz bottle of witch hazel if there are no shower facilities. A vase of fresh flowers can certainly add a touch of class but be aware of heavily scented blooms, as these could be bothersome for clients with allergies. An alternative might be to consider an attractive silk arrangement.

Ideally, the room would be as quiet as a sleeping environment, with optional, gentle, instrumental music as background. A mini-fountain is OK if the pump can be adjusted to a calming ripple. Remember to turn off or lower volume on all phones, pagers and intercoms.

6 Neatness Counts. To protect furnishings use hip-holsters, towels or decorative trays to set oil and lotion containers on. Spread washable cotton mats where clients step off the treatment table to prevent slipping and/or stains on flooring or carpeting.

7 Administer a schedule. Discreetly keep track of the time with an eye on a silent and plainly visible wall clock. Always have your receipt book and appointment book close at hand as this streamlines visit length.

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