A look at massage therapy in Saskatchewan during the COVID-19 pandemic

Massage therapists are adjusting to the new world of COVID-19 prevention health protocols.

They have been allowed to be open for nearly a week under Phase 2 of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan.

Camille Lapierre, the president of the Massage Therapist Association of Saskatchewan (MTAS), joined The Brent Loucks Show on 650 CKOM to detail some of the changes therapists have had to deal with.

For one, the personal protective equipment requirements are strong for both therapists and clients.

Therapists have to wear masks, aprons and protective goggles, while customers have to wear face masks.

“Of course, we look a bit different,” Lapierre said.

Cleaning requirements have also gone up. While sanitizing surfaces is nothing new to massage therapists, the protocols are much stricter.

“Beforehand, we were always washing our hands and sanitizing surfaces, but now, things are a lot more extensive. Before and between each client, every imaginable touchable surface needs to be sanitized,” Lapierre explained.

Even though it might seem strange at first, she said it’s great to be back in business.

“I found that this past week … it’s like almost nothing happened. We’ve caught up … It has been just as good for myself as (my clients) as well,” she said.

She has also been impressed with how the clients are willing to follow the rules and get back to their regular therapy.

“People have been holding out ever since the lockdown … people suffering with chronic migraines. I’ve had people last week who are like, ‘Well, back in March, my hip went out,’ so they’ve been holding out on the therapy they need and kind of feeling stuck as to where to go,” she said.

While the physical nature of massages makes keeping a six-foot distance impossible, these policies allow therapists to do their job with as little risk as possible.

“We are still providing the professional care that people need,” Lapierre said, “and they have been really anxious to get back to us.”