You only have a few minutes or less to transition between massage chair clients. Most importantly, this includes cleaning the massage chair and replacing the headrest cover.

Since the vinyl material on your massage chair is exposed to the natural oils on your clients’ hands and faces, it’s important to clean the chair between clients, both for sanitary reasons and to protect the vinyl from drying out and cracking. Disposable face cradle covers protect the headrest, but the arm rest is exposed to oils and clients may also touch the seat and chest pad when getting on or off the chair.

Cleaning Solutions

Although we’ve heard of some massage therapists using bleach in their cleaning solution, we do not recommend using bleach or any other harsh chemicals to clean the chair. Not only can it damage or fade the vinyl, but it can damage your clients’ clothing if not fully dried before they sit down.

We recommend using a solution of mild soap and water. Keep it in a spray bottle for convenience. Then wipe down the vinyl with a soft, clean towel to make sure it dries completely before the next client sits down.

Antibacterial Aromatherapy

Add a few drops of lemon oil or tea tree oil to the cleaning solution for a pleasing scent. These essential oils have antibacterial properties that will naturally disinfect the chair covering. The scent will be subtle but pleasing to your clients…and much more relaxing than the lingering smell of soap, bleach, or alcohol!

With chair massage, you don’t have the time or the need for a full intake procedure and treatment plan. But there are a few quick ways you can make the most of a client’s chair massage session.

First off, ask the client if he or she has any specific requests. Are there any tight spots that need extra attention? Any sore or tender spots that should be avoided? If the client asks you to focus on the neck area, take extra time for the neck. If it’s a quick 10-minute session, you might end up working almost solely on the neck area.

Listen to the client’s needs and take them into account during the massage. Knowing that you listen and care about your clients can be as stress-relieving for the client as the massage itself.

If the client doesn’t ask for any specific requests, just follow your normal chair massage routine, paying special attention to any tight areas.

If time permits, you may want to use a brief intake form to gather information. It’s also a great way to follow up with clients through mailings or e-mail. The intake form should include the client’s name, address, phone, and e-mail address for follow-up contact and mailings; a brief overview of current injuries, illness, or other physical conditions; pain medications; assessment of stress and pain levels; and allergies. Include any other specific information you may need.

At the bottom of the form, ask the client to sign a waiver stating that they have provided all related medical information, that they understand the massage is for relaxation purposes only, and that the therapist will not provide any medical diagnosis. This waiver will help protect you in case of legal action taken against you.

If you’re doing corporate chair massage, request that employees fill out the intake form before you arrive. With the form already filled out, they can hop right on the massage chair, which will save more time for the actual massage.

A different way to get client information is to use a sign-up sheet asking for the client’s name, address, phone, e-mail, and informed consent. Place a cover sheet on top of the sign-up sheet with the informed consent disclaimer in large print.

Most importantly, don’t forget to prepare yourself mentally for each client. Take the effort to focus on each client’s individual needs. The attention you give each client makes a huge difference.

A massage chair is a wise investment in equipment for your business and it can also help you attract new clients. Chair massage is the perfect introduction to the benefits of massage therapy. For those who have never received a massage before, seated massage allows them to test the waters with a short session on neutral turf, such as an office, group event, or public setting. Chair massage in an open setting allows people to see exactly what to expect when it’s their turn. The barrier of uncertainty is stripped away.

Most chair massage sessions are shorter than table sessions. Because of this shorter time commitment, chair massage is cheaper for the client. For first-time clients, this means they don’t have to worry about wasting money if they don’t like the massage. People will be more willing to try massage therapy if they can test it out first for a smaller fee and then invest in full-body massage later, if they so choose.

Convenience is also an appealing factor for chair massage clients. They don’t have to drive to your office or schedule an appointment. They don’t have to take as much time out of their day for massage, and they won’t forget to call for an appointment. Your presence reminds them how much they need a massage. And with the convenience of on-site chair massage, they can get one right away.

Open yourself up to a wider client base through corporate massage.

Massage in the workplace allows you to reach individuals who may never have considered booking a massage therapy session before. Their reasons for neglecting the power of massage may differ, but they generally boil down to two excuses: time and money.

Excuse #1: Time

Many of your corporate clients will fall into the overworked or overstressed category. They simply can’t find the time or energy to book a table massage and travel to your office. With the on-site convenience of corporate massage, however, your clients have no excuse. Chair or desk massages take as little as ten minutes and include no prep or travel time, so your clients don’t have to block out an hour or two in their day. They also don’t need to plan ahead by booking an appointment a week in advance.

Excuse #2: Money

The other limiting factor for table massage is cost. With corporate massage, almost anyone can afford to invest in regular massage. Some employers cover the full cost of a workplace massage contract. Other employers subsidize your services and employees pay a reduced cost. Lastly, some corporate locations hire your services for the convenience of their employees, who pay you directly for your services. Even in situations where the employee covers the full cost, the shortened sessions offered with seated massage cuts the cost down to a reasonable rate for any employee to cover.

Some potential massage clients may be hesitant to try new things. Chair massage is a great way to introduce the power of massage therapy to new clients. It also allows the client to remain fully clothed, which may be another barrier to table massage. With these hesitations aside, more individuals will benefit from your healing touch through corporate massage.