POLICIES
Cancellations
Inclement Weather
No-Shows
Late Starts
Draping
Home Visit Checklist
Time & Charges
Discounts
Inclement Weather
No-Shows
Late Starts
Draping
Home Visit Checklist
Time & Charges
Discounts
HEALTH HISTORY DISCLOSURE
I once had a well-meaning client who loved to receive deep tissue massage say to me that she hadn't told me about her osteoporosis or checked it on her intake form because it had "nothing to do with" me.
Nothing could be further from the truth!
Massage has the potential to affect every single system in the human body. A deep tissue massage to a client with osteoporosis, for example, could easily break bone. Yes, I do require you to complete a health history form and yes, it's important that you are honest with me. Your information is kept in the strictest confidence. There are certain medical conditions, even mild ones, and certain medications that can be negatively impacted by circulatory massage. Only a medical professional can determine which conditions and medications may react negatively to massage. I am not a physician nor do I pretend to be one and that is why your honesty is so important and also why you may have to get a note from your doctor before I can provide you with services. Thank you for your understanding.
CANCELLATION POLICY
I understand emergencies happen but a courtesy call within a minimum of 24 hours to cancel or change your appointment (including changing the length of time you had reserved) is required. A fee of $35 will apply if your appointment is canceled or changed in less than 24 hours from your appointment time. Group chair massages may have a separate policy in writing prior to the first date of arrival.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
When someone mentions inclement weather in Maine I tend to think about winter, but it can really happen at any time. High winds, driving rain that causes limited visibility, damaging hail, frequent cloud to ground lightning, etc. can occur most other times of the year. As a rule of thumb, if local schools in your area and/or my area are canceled your session will also be canceled. If school is delayed or not normally in session (summer, holidays, school breaks, etc.) and there are warnings of severe weather or dangerous road conditions your session may still be canceled. I will call you either way as soon as I make my decision.
NO-SHOW POLICY
Should I arrive at your location and you are not available you will be charged the usual service charge for your visit in addition to the $35 cancellation fee that is assessed for failing to cancel within 24 hours. Group chair massages may have a separate policy in writing prior to the first date of arrival.
DRAPING
Regardless of who provides the linens proper draping is required. If you provide your own linens they must be either sheets that are specially designed to fit massage tables or twin size sheets and in either case I should not be able to see through them. If they can be seen through, kindly drape a bath towel or blanket over the appropriate areas.
HOME VISIT CHECKLIST
This checklist applies to most in-home sessions where it is necessary for me to bring my massage table to the session. THERE MIGHT BE EXCEPTIONS MADE depending on the circumstances, so please look the list over and see if you can approximately meet these specifications; if so please give me a call and we'll see what we can work out. Thank you for your understanding!
When someone mentions inclement weather in Maine I tend to think about winter, but it can really happen at any time. High winds, driving rain that causes limited visibility, damaging hail, frequent cloud to ground lightning, etc. can occur most other times of the year. As a rule of thumb, if local schools in your area and/or my area are canceled your session will also be canceled. If school is delayed or not normally in session (summer, holidays, school breaks, etc.) and there are warnings of severe weather or dangerous road conditions your session may still be canceled. I will call you either way as soon as I make my decision.
NO-SHOW POLICY
Should I arrive at your location and you are not available you will be charged the usual service charge for your visit in addition to the $35 cancellation fee that is assessed for failing to cancel within 24 hours. Group chair massages may have a separate policy in writing prior to the first date of arrival.
LATE START POLICY
I strive to maintain professional standards of arriving on time for your appointment. Due to other commitments I can not usually give you additional time if you arrive late or are not prepared on time for your session. Regardless of the start time your massage will still have to end at the time it was originally supposed to end. If I am able to stay late I will offer you the full session time, otherwise you can safely assume your session time will have to be cut short due to lateness. You will still be charged the full session fee if your session is shortened because the fee is based on how much time was reserved for you from the time of my arrival to the time of my departure. Group chair massages may have a separate policy in writing prior to the first date of arrival.
If for any reason I arrive late you will still receive your full time.
DRAPING
Regardless of who provides the linens proper draping is required. If you provide your own linens they must be either sheets that are specially designed to fit massage tables or twin size sheets and in either case I should not be able to see through them. If they can be seen through, kindly drape a bath towel or blanket over the appropriate areas.
HOME VISIT CHECKLIST
This checklist applies to most in-home sessions where it is necessary for me to bring my massage table to the session. THERE MIGHT BE EXCEPTIONS MADE depending on the circumstances, so please look the list over and see if you can approximately meet these specifications; if so please give me a call and we'll see what we can work out. Thank you for your understanding!
1) Please measure your massage space. It should be at least seven feet wide by 12 feet long with no obstructions. Giving a massage puts strain on the therapist's body and cramped spaces that do not permit proper body mechanics when applying techniques easily and quickly lead to back, knee, and/or neck pain and injuries.
2) I go into non-smoking homes only (NO EXCEPTIONS HERE). Refraining from smoking in a smoking home while I'm present or smoking outside is NOT a non-smoking home. The odors remain in a smoking home regardless of whether someone is smoking it in at the moment and the odors are still brought into the home (and onto my equipment) when someone smokes outside because it is carried on them and their clothing when they come inside. I understand this limits who I can see in a home setting but I have an extreme sensitivity to the smell of cigarettes and an even worse one when it comes to cigars, something that I developed when I was very young after being repeatedly exposed to these toxins within the confines of a car. Now, even as an adult not exposed to this for many years, within minutes I will still develop a severe headache and nausea. I will not provide a session in this manner and I can not run the risk of having those odors contaminate my equipment or supplies that are brought into the homes of others, including my own. Established clients: please keep this in mind when referring others. Your understanding is appreciated.
3) Please provide three things ready to go in the massage room: your favorite music/player if you want music (iPods are fine too), an accurate clock that I can see at all times, and a portable chair for me to use. I do have a portable clock radio/CD player that I can set up if needed.
4) If you are receiving a salon/spa style massage, take lighting into consideration when setting up your ideal space. I should be able to see where I'm going but the lighting also should be set to your comfort level. Lighting adjustment is not needed for rehabilitative sessions.
5) Noises are not going to bother me but it's a good idea to think about whether they'd bother you: the phone ringing, the washer running, your lawn care person cutting your grass, etc. Those are your choices.
6) * Please watch your pets and children carefully. I have had children write on my table with crayon and pen which does not erase or wash off, a dog jump onto my (folded and covered) table while I was carrying it into the home and accidentally scratch my table through the protective case with its nails, and a cat attempt to use the legs of my table as a scratching post once it was set up in the home. I also ask that you please refrain from having food or drinks near the table except for water. If you have pets or children who cause damage to my equipment or supplies please understand that you are responsible for the damages. This includes but is not limited to smudges, dents, tears, breaks, cracks, compromises to structure and/or stitching, stains, odors, punctures, frays, scratches, etc. caused by unattended children and/or pets. These items can be very costly; the table that I use is an upscale brand name portable table with a lot of extra padding and a patented leg design for faster set-up and, with shipping, would cost nearly $1,000.00 to replace. As much as I dislike having to give this warning, I can not be financially responsible for accidents like these, which are through no fault of my own and that could have been prevented.
7) If you'd like to lend me a hand with my equipment and supplies: As stated above, my equipment and supplies can be very costly; the table that I use is an upscale brand name portable table with a lot of extra padding and a patented leg design for faster set-up and, with shipping, would cost nearly $1,000.00 to replace. So as much as I appreciate getting help hauling my equipment in and out of my car and your home, up and down stairs, etc., please refrain from assisting me with my table during transfer and set-up. If I'm the only one who handles the equipment and supplies, and provided no one else has come in contact with my belongings while I'm at your home, there is no question as to whether anyone else is responsible for damage other than me should any damage be found. I encourage you to invest in an inexpensive table if you feel obligated to help. It also will lower your fees!
2) I go into non-smoking homes only (NO EXCEPTIONS HERE). Refraining from smoking in a smoking home while I'm present or smoking outside is NOT a non-smoking home. The odors remain in a smoking home regardless of whether someone is smoking it in at the moment and the odors are still brought into the home (and onto my equipment) when someone smokes outside because it is carried on them and their clothing when they come inside. I understand this limits who I can see in a home setting but I have an extreme sensitivity to the smell of cigarettes and an even worse one when it comes to cigars, something that I developed when I was very young after being repeatedly exposed to these toxins within the confines of a car. Now, even as an adult not exposed to this for many years, within minutes I will still develop a severe headache and nausea. I will not provide a session in this manner and I can not run the risk of having those odors contaminate my equipment or supplies that are brought into the homes of others, including my own. Established clients: please keep this in mind when referring others. Your understanding is appreciated.
3) Please provide three things ready to go in the massage room: your favorite music/player if you want music (iPods are fine too), an accurate clock that I can see at all times, and a portable chair for me to use. I do have a portable clock radio/CD player that I can set up if needed.
4) If you are receiving a salon/spa style massage, take lighting into consideration when setting up your ideal space. I should be able to see where I'm going but the lighting also should be set to your comfort level. Lighting adjustment is not needed for rehabilitative sessions.
5) Noises are not going to bother me but it's a good idea to think about whether they'd bother you: the phone ringing, the washer running, your lawn care person cutting your grass, etc. Those are your choices.
6) * Please watch your pets and children carefully. I have had children write on my table with crayon and pen which does not erase or wash off, a dog jump onto my (folded and covered) table while I was carrying it into the home and accidentally scratch my table through the protective case with its nails, and a cat attempt to use the legs of my table as a scratching post once it was set up in the home. I also ask that you please refrain from having food or drinks near the table except for water. If you have pets or children who cause damage to my equipment or supplies please understand that you are responsible for the damages. This includes but is not limited to smudges, dents, tears, breaks, cracks, compromises to structure and/or stitching, stains, odors, punctures, frays, scratches, etc. caused by unattended children and/or pets. These items can be very costly; the table that I use is an upscale brand name portable table with a lot of extra padding and a patented leg design for faster set-up and, with shipping, would cost nearly $1,000.00 to replace. As much as I dislike having to give this warning, I can not be financially responsible for accidents like these, which are through no fault of my own and that could have been prevented.
7) If you'd like to lend me a hand with my equipment and supplies: As stated above, my equipment and supplies can be very costly; the table that I use is an upscale brand name portable table with a lot of extra padding and a patented leg design for faster set-up and, with shipping, would cost nearly $1,000.00 to replace. So as much as I appreciate getting help hauling my equipment in and out of my car and your home, up and down stairs, etc., please refrain from assisting me with my table during transfer and set-up. If I'm the only one who handles the equipment and supplies, and provided no one else has come in contact with my belongings while I'm at your home, there is no question as to whether anyone else is responsible for damage other than me should any damage be found. I encourage you to invest in an inexpensive table if you feel obligated to help. It also will lower your fees!
* At each visit a minimum of a one hour session is required unless otherwise noted in the services section of this website.
* Payment is accepted by cash or check. Please make checks payable to Jennifer Alcorn, thank you.
* I am comfortable working in busy situations but I just want you to maintain awareness of the time should there be any interruptions that require you to leave your session momentarily. Please understand that if we have to actually pause your session and I am unable to leave on time I may have to charge you for that extra time with the appropriate amount of the full session fee to the nearest 15 minute interval or cut your session short and charge you for the full time reserved.
* Full payment is due at the time of service.
* Payment is accepted by cash or check. Please make checks payable to Jennifer Alcorn, thank you.
* I am comfortable working in busy situations but I just want you to maintain awareness of the time should there be any interruptions that require you to leave your session momentarily. Please understand that if we have to actually pause your session and I am unable to leave on time I may have to charge you for that extra time with the appropriate amount of the full session fee to the nearest 15 minute interval or cut your session short and charge you for the full time reserved.
* Full payment is due at the time of service.
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DISCOUNTS
The discounts that are provided are as follows:
For providing your own massage table for me to set up at your home: $5 off service charge
For providing your own massage table and having it already set up upon arrival: $10 off service charge
DISCOUNTS
The discounts that are provided are as follows:
For providing your own massage table for me to set up at your home: $5 off service charge
For providing your own massage table and having it already set up upon arrival: $10 off service charge
For providing your own linens for me to prepare: $1 off service charge
For providing your own linens and having them already prepared on the massage table that you provide: $2 off service charge
If you have a gift card for a complimentary half hour massage from a current client who receives home visits it is valid on a one hour minimum visit. Anything else is outdated from when the office was open on Elm Street and is no longer valid.
If you have a gift card for a complimentary half hour massage from a current client who receives home visits it is valid on a one hour minimum visit. Anything else is outdated from when the office was open on Elm Street and is no longer valid.
Akina Healing Arts (207) 590-4433