Should Licensed Massage Therapists Be Required to Get the COVID-19 Vaccination? Exploring the Pros and Cons
No one should be required to get a vaccination. I got mine because I wanted my clients to be more at ease to come back to their massage appointments. Those that don’t certainly can’t get upset if the clients choose to go elsewhere if they are wanting their therapist to have been vaccinated.
Required or Not?
Perhaps not. However, it is heavily recommended, urged, and given more than most opportunities to do so.
It only makes sense considering the nature of the massage therapy itself. Massage therapy is hands-on work, and you can’t consider it a massage therapy session if you don’t touch the patient. Additionally, touch is the essence of the massage industry.
Upsides for Vaccinating as a Therapist
As a therapist, getting vaccinated offers several benefits. First, it significantly reduces your chances of being symptomatic when infected by COVID-19. This, in turn, lowers your risk of spreading the disease, especially to at-risk populations, such as the elderly, younger individuals, or those with compromised immune systems.
Improving Client Trust and Reluctance
Getting vaccinated can also help improve client trust. Many clients may have concerns about their safety during a massage therapy session, particularly if there is a higher risk of transmission of COVID-19. By being vaccinated, therapists can reassure clients that they have taken necessary precautions to minimize the risk of spreading the virus.
Downsides for Vaccinating as a Therapist
There are a few downsides to getting vaccinated. For instance, anti-vaxxers might choose not to receive massages from vaccinated therapists, which can be a concern for therapists who rely on word-of-mouth and referrals. However, this should be seen as a challenge in educating clients about the safety and importance of vaccinations.
Benefits for Clients
For clients, the benefits of visiting a vaccinated massage therapist are clear. Vaccinated therapists have a lower likelihood of spreading the disease, making them safer for at-risk populations. Additionally, the presence of the vaccine can greatly reduce the client's worry about transmitting the virus to the therapist during a session.
Potential Disadvantages for Clients
If you are an anti-vaxxer, you might prefer to avoid vaccinated therapists, although this seems like a preference outweighed by the benefits of a safer session for both parties.
General Vaccine Information and Mandates
There are no mandates being made for the COVID-19 vaccine even for healthcare practitioners, so suggesting that there are any in place would be flat-out wrong. Just like with general alcohol consumption, people can still choose to drink, and similarly, therapists can choose to get vaccinated.
The benefits of the vaccine heavily outweigh any of its side effects or potential risk factors. The vaccine has been thoroughly tested and is continuously monitored for safety and effectiveness.
Conclusion
While being required to get vaccinated is a matter of personal choice, it is highly recommended for the well-being of both therapists and clients. The benefits of a safer and more comfortable environment for both parties are significant. So, do your part; get vaccinated. It only takes a simple and straightforward process, and you might even win a prize, depending on where you live!
I personally didn’t experience any major side effects from the vaccine, except for a mild 15-minute episode of nausea, which was not even bad enough to cause concern.
If you have any questions, or want to provide answers, or are interested in joining the community behind soft tissue issues, I would love to see you at my Quora space called Tissue Issues.