Your Rights as a Massage Client in Missouri.

Wait, you have massage rights?

Um... yeah, you do. Did you know? Do you know what they are?

But first... Disclaimer: This is not legal or medical advice. This is educational content only - compiled from publicly available Missouri statutes and professional standards. For legal questions, consult an attorney. For medical questions, consult your doctor. You are a capable adult who makes their own decisions.

I've been struggling with this and thinking about your client rights for a while. It is difficult for me to put it together in a cohesive-ish format so bear with me, please.

What you know about your rights as a massage client... has some gaps. I don't want you to have gaps. I want you to know all the things so you can make the most informed choices for yourself.

In the nine years I have been doing this, the number of stories from people who have been hurt or didn't realize they were allowed to speak up has not gotten any smaller. When asked if they said anything, the answer is generally the same... "No" / "I didn't know I could". It still happens, and way more than it should. So, I put together a list of massage related rights that you factually have - anywhere in the state of Missouri, with any Licensed Massage Therapist.

**Your rights are compiled out of the actual Missouri Revised Statutes, Chapter 324. I didn't make the statutes.

Things I have realized over the years:

• The general population does not know what LMT stands for and that's okay if you didn't, but you will now. It stands for Licensed Massage Therapist and is a licensed healthcare practitioner in the state of Missouri. No license?? No get massagie. **There are exceptions to this, which I can explain in a different post.

• Yes. We absolutely go to school for this. My education was jam packed with anatomy, ethics, pathology, physiology. Not to mention the overkill of continuing education I have taken, research done (I can't help it. Curiosity. I have to know how a suggested answer works, what are the mechanisms behind the benefit, and I need to see non-biased legit research on it, etc.)

• No, massage is not just an "it rubs the lotion on its skin" treat for yourself - it's not always benign and you can get hurt.

Okay, I am derailing as usual. Back on track. Your rights!!

Massage therapy is not something to "endure"... you 1000% have the right to speak up. We are held to a do no harm statute. Don't let people hurt you because they told you it works, it's supposed to hurt, or that if it doesn't hurt then it isn’t working / the technique they're doing requires it or any form of coercion. "Hey that's too much pressure, back it off a little (or a lot... depending on your scenario)" or however you manage to get the words out. Just say it. **Clarifying there is a difference between "hurt" and "discomfort". Learn your difference. Some things factually are not comfortable... like at all... but that does not mean painful. Also, your therapist should have already discussed that with you so you could make an informed decision on your care. This isn't passive. You have a say.

Secondary to that: If the therapist does not listen to you, or you are uncomfortable, you have the right to end the session. "Hey, I'm ending this session. Please leave so I can get dressed". Or "Session over! Out with you so I can get dressed". Or, I don't know, you come up with something. My mom once told someone "Away with you peasant"... try that one.

You have the right to know your therapist is a LICENSED MASSAGE THERAPIST. Please, please, please at least check for this one. It is supposed to be posted in an obvious spot, and it should have their photo in it. Match the face to the therapist. Make sure it is actually a massage license and isn't expired. (Also, this is a responsibility for yourself as well. The bare minimum). If you are totally aware that the person you booked with is not a LMT, and you don't care... totally fine! It's an informed choice.

Know the plan. If you are unsure of what is going to happen or the benefits / side effects of a treatment / technique / tool… get clarification. Ask questions. Keep asking them until you have an understanding. “Because I said they work” is not a good answer. (clarifying, I have never heard a massage therapist say that). Along with any benefits, you also need to be informed of potential risks. Like, hot stones are hot, hot things can burn. Part of the plan is pricing, so make sure you know exactly how much the stuff and things cost before participating. Does the additional tool / treatment / hot stone therapy cost extra, and you were asked in the middle of your session?? No. Discuss upfront. Clarification and questions are not rude. What are the policies?? Do you know those? If you have to cancel, do you know what the fee is??

You have the right to privacy. Physical and digital / verbal. They do not need to be in the room while you undress. And for those of you who are not shy, wait for the therapist to leave the room before you start getting undressed. Rules be rules. If you need assistance, please check with your therapist first. Draping is required in Missouri. Which means, covers are mandatory. How much covers can be subjective to each individual, so “know the plan”. If you are not comfortable with too much being not covered, speak up, ask about their draping (ideally before you book if this is a concern for you). The mandatory part means gluteal cleft and genitals are never exposed, nor breast tissue on female clients (there is a specific advanced training for this - ask about it before agreeing to any work in that area - IF you are requesting work there). Only the area being worked should be uncovered and a reminder that you get to determine what gets work and what doesn’t. Adding to your choice, is also a caveat: if you have pain in an area, but do not want adjoining areas that share a muscle(s) worked on, well… discuss possible alternatives with your therapist.

Part two of privacy is confidentiality. Your health history, session notes, and personal information are to remain confidential. Written consent from you (or the law) is required to share any of your information. Seriously. Also, now would be a good time to remind you that I am not ignoring you in public. I don’t approach you or start conversations or discuss any massage stuff for your own privacy. Not everyone wants the rando down the grocery store aisle knowing their business. However, I will 100% talk to you if you approach and start a conversation first, so please do not be offended.

You also have responsibilities!!!! Yuuuuckie! But yeah… come on now... You are not a passive participant here; you do have some homework to do.

• First on the list is communication. Good grief, we are not mind readers. You need to let us know that you just had major abdominal surgery or a blood clot diagnosis before you climb on the table and casually mention it halfway through. Massage seems super benign, but it is not. Certain conditions and or medications are a nope. For your safety. Or at least a flashing “proceed with caution” sign. If you are asked if you need the pressure adjusted, and you really do, don’t say “it’s fine” ... let us know so we can adjust it for you. It’s not a big deal and you are not being difficult. It helps us help you.

• Boundaries… Yes, we have them as well. Recommending not to cross those. (skip “those” jokes please). Along with that is policies. Please know the policies of whoever you are going to and respect them. Everyone runs their practice differently.

• And finally for your responsibility… do your research before booking. Do not blindly pick. Do a short search on them. Are they licensed (if you care)? Do they even do the type of massage that you are looking for? If no, don’t book them.

Okay, that is all (for now). If you ever have questions, just ask. I am aware that I am not everyone’s cup of tea, and that’s okay. Honestly, I’m not out here trying to be a perfect match for every person on the planet (that’s okay, too). I just want people to be informed before they go jumping into a wildly variable field of massage therapists. Which is also a benefit. Sometimes it is trial and error before finding “your” therapist, and if everyone was the same… you would be out of luck.

Okay, wrap up quick resources:

You can always check a name or license number here: https://pr.mo.gov/massage.asp

And, a much shorter PDF of your Client Bill of Rights is available here:

Client Bill of Rights (& Responsibilities) Compiled by Jamie Earley, LMT.pdf

Download PDF • 94KB

Take care, make good choices, go outside, drink water.

-Jamie

Ooo! Some random bonus info: HIPAA… most of the massage therapists you come across are NOT HIPAA covered entities… but that does not mean they do not have to follow the confidentiality laid out in the statutes. You will hear that term tossed around like it's being applied to everyone and everything... It is not. I am not a HIPAA covered entity...yet (even still... all my software and anything containing your information is HIPAA LEVEL secure. I take your confidentiality incredibly serious). Basically, if they are not direct billing insurance companies, there is a mostly likely chance that they are not a HIPAA covered entity. Adding it, because it is a super common misunderstanding by all the people, including massage therapist.