Let’s talk about massage therapy and, in particular, about renting a massage therapy suite. What are the legal issues? What do you need to do to adequately protect you, the owner, and your clients?
We will tackle those tough questions in this article by Salon & Spa Galleria, serving the Greater Fort Worth/Tarrant County area with twenty-three salon suite rental locations. Call us at 817-817-1416 for more information and to arrange for a tour of our facilities.
What is a massage therapy suite?
In classic massage therapy, a massage therapist rubs and kneads the soft tissues of your body in a massage therapy suite. These soft tissues include muscle, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments and skin. The massage therapist varies the amount of pressure and movement.
The practice of massage is part of integrative medicine. Medical centers often offer it with standard treatment or refer patients to a massage therapy clinic, or massage therapy booth in some beauty and wellness clinic It can be used for a wide range of medical conditions.
Studies of massage benefits have found massage can:
- Help reduce stress.
- Lessen pain and muscle tightness.
- Increase relaxation.
- Improve the work of the immune system.
A massage therapy suite, then, is a single room, rather than an entire building, where a massage therapist works their magic.
Legal issues checklist.
When running a massage therapy business, it is crucial to be aware of and comply with the legal obligations that come with the practice. A word of caution: regulations can change from city to city and from state to state, and it is your responsibility, as the owner, to be aware of them. Here’s a checklist to help you cover your bases:
- Licensing: Ensure all practitioners have the necessary state and/or local massage therapy licenses and certifications.
- Business Licensing: Obtain the required business licenses and permits from your local municipality.
- Zoning Laws: Check with your local planning or zoning department to ensure your business location is zoned for massage therapy services.
- Sanitation and Health Regulations: Comply with state and local sanitation and health regulations to ensure the safety and well-being of your clients.
- Advertising Laws: Adhere to any state and local laws or regulations regarding advertising for massage therapy businesses.
- Client Privacy: Protect your clients’ privacy and comply with any relevant privacy laws or regulations, such as HIPPAA and PIPEDA.
- Record Keeping: Keep accurate and detailed records of your business operations, including client sessions, financial transactions, and employee information.
- Insurance: Obtain the necessary business and liability insurance to protect your business and practitioners.
When in doubt, talk to a professional.
If you are still harboring doubts, our recommendation is a lawyer who has experience in this field, one who can guide you through the legal process and make sure that you are protected in your massage therapy business. And, before you sign a lease on a massage salon suite, have a lawyer look over that lease to protect you. 99 times out of 100, signing a salon suite lease happens without any problem, but protecting yourself against that one in one hundred is the job of a good lawyer.
A final word about Salon & Spa Galleria.
Salon & Spa Galleria is locally owned and operated. Call us today and inquire about a salon room rental in your area. Without a doubt there is one reasonably close to where you live in Tarrant County. And ask our leasing agent about our list of amenities included in our very affordable lease payment.
