As a massage therapist, safety for both you and your clients is priority No. 1.

That’s why massage consent forms are so important.

Massage therapy consent forms — AKA massage agreement forms — play a big part in setting boundaries for massage therapists and their clients.

They also help you understand your client’s specific circumstances and needs, allowing you to provide informed, customized care for each individual client – even if you run a mobile massage therapy business.

So if you’re still asking yourself: “Do I really need a consent form from my massage clients before I treat them?” — the answer is yes, your clients should sign a form. 

In this blog, we look at why you need client consent forms. Plus, we’ll even share a checklist for what to include in yours!

Looking for specific info? Feel free to jump ahead! 👇

Why You Should Require Massage Client Consent Forms

Massage Consent Forms Establish Ground Rules & Intentions

By having your clients sign a massage consent form, you’re taking the time to lay out what your goals are for the appointment.

It helps clients understand your approach and what they should expect during their visit. 

Ultimately, giving clients as much information up front as possible reduces the chance of miscommunication between parties and makes each appointment predictable for you and your clients.

They Inform Clients of Potential Risks

With a massage agreement form in place, the client knows what, when, and how things are supposed to happen, including the possibility of injury (which your business insurance might cover).

This is also your chance to relay potential risks and side effects, such as delayed muscle soreness, and disclose any licenses or certifications you have as a massage therapist.

They Reduce Liability Concerns

A standard consent form can remove liability concerns for you as the massage therapist, covering potential negligence concerns and even larger injuries.

The agreement acts as a release from standard forms of negligence that occur either with the facility or with you as the massage therapist.

Pro Tip: With Schedulicity, you can manage your massage therapy appointment, communicate with clients, and process client payments. You also have access to a waiver tool. This way, clients can acknowledge your waiver as part of the online booking process. Sign up for our Unlimited Plan today!

With so many free consent templates out there that seem to follow industry standards, do you need to consult a lawyer when drafting up your own? 

Short answer: yes.

A lawyer can answer any legal questions you may have and can also help ensure you have the most effective form for you and your clients.

Of course, if you’re not in a place to consult a lawyer, you can use templates available online, but you should still have the form double-checked by a lawyer. 

PS. Schedulicity has Policies and Procedure features that help your draw boundaries during appointments. From scheduling to communication to payment, here are the policies to include to protect your business.

What to Include in Your Massage Client Agreement Form

While the AMTA has some handy templates to help you create various forms, like intake forms and SOAP notes, we put together a list of what to include in your client waivers! 

Massage Client Consent Form Checklist

  • Consent to receive massage therapy
  • Agree that a massage is not a substitute for medical treatment
  • Acknowledge that massage therapists do not diagnose injuries or prescribe medications
  • Understanding of potential risks involved
  • Agree to disclose any injuries or medications therapist should be aware of
  • Agree to inform therapist of any pain or discomfort during massage
  • Understand that client or therapist can end massage at any time
  • Acknowledge that client has been given a chance to ask questions and that all questions have been answered before the massage 

Bonus: Free Massage Therapy Consent Form Templates

Take the checklist above and fill in the blanks for your own form with these free massage form templates.

Of course, be sure to customize the language so it’s specific to your business’s needs. 

Schedulicity’s online booking software is perfect for massage therapists and spa owners. 

With built-in tools for marketing, payments, and simplified booking, you can grow your massage business and stay connected with your clients — all from one app!

Learn More About Schedulicity