Everything a Massage Therapist Needs to Know About Bird Flu

Hi there! If you’re a massage therapist like me, I get it—the well-being of your clients is always a top priority. But sometimes, illnesses like bird flu can make things tricky. You might be wondering how it relates to you or if it’s something you need to think about. Don’t worry. We’ll go through it step by step to make it clearer. Bird flu is not merely affecting chicken farmers or vets only. It can strike anybody indirectly. You can be a masseuse, but learning the basics and taking some precautions can make your life safer along with that of your customers as well.

Bird flu, or avian flu, is generally a disease that is mostly experienced by birds. But, on certain occasions, it infects humans also. The better part? It is easy to contract by people, most of the time through bird contact itself. However, knowing it is good because avoiding it is better, right?

Some strains of bird flu have a higher transmission rate to humans than others do. H5N1 and H7N9 are two of them. The bird flu is troublesome because it is no ordinary flu. It can cause life-threatening complications or death itself in some cases.

Now, as a masseuse, people are around you every day. That is why knowing the signs of bird flu is important. The signs that you should observe are fever, cough, sore throat, and body aches. Sounds like ordinary flu signs, right? It is indeed very much like ordinary flu signs. But bird flu can also have complications like difficulty breathing, discomfort of the chest, or even neurological signs on extremely rare occasions.

Imagine this—you’re seeing a client that had just complained of feeling fatigued and had a fever. Would you know what to do? The majority of your clients that have mundane flu-like presentations are no big deal, but bird flu presentations should ring alarms. Whether or not they have recently been traveling to where there have been bird flu reports is certainly worth taking precautions on.

You might ask, “So what business is it of mine?” Massage therapy is very hands-on. You have your hands on people’s skin, usually up to or even well over an hour. That is plenty of time for germs to be passed on, especially if you have no consciousness of potential hazards.

Think about it—your skin is touching theirs, your breathing is exchanging, and your coming into contact with body fluids is possible. While bird flu is mostly contagious through bird contact, there is also possible transmission through people, although it is very seldom. But better safe than sorry, right?

For me, it is keeping my workspace hygienic without being overly paranoid. It is planning ahead of time and keeping good hygiene habits.

When I learned of bird flu, my first impulse was, “Is there anything that I can do differently?” Following are things that have worked well for me, and can also work well for you.

1. Keep Your Workspace Spotless

It sounds easy, but keeping your massage room clean is critical. You must regularly sanitize your massage table, face rests, and accessories. You also have to wipe surfaces that your client will come into contact with, like chairs or countertops, using a disinfectant.

2. Wash Your Hands (A Lot)

If you’re seeing consecutive clients, hand washing is unavoidable. Use warm water and soap, washing your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds. Hand sanitizers can also be used between appointments.

3. Screen or Check-In with Clients

It’s not intrusive, but asking gentle, health-related questions before a massage session can make a big difference. You can ask, for example, “How have you been feeling lately?” or “Have you experienced flu-like symptoms recently?”

4. Wear a Face Mask

During flu season or whenever there is an epidemic of bird flu, it is prudent practice on our part to employ a face mask. It is one extra precaution, and customers appreciate it too.

5. Stay Educated

For me, it is critical to remain informed regarding illness such as bird flu. When there is an epidemic, I consult reputable health websites to know what is occurring. That helps ensure that I can exercise caution if need arises.

Sometimes, clients will also bring up issues of illness, including bird flu. You needn’t have had a background in medicine to discuss people on this matter. You can empathize and listen. You can reassure anxious people by informing them of what measures you are taking to ensure that there is a safe and hygienic environment here. Reassurances such as “I’m cleaning everything thoroughly so that you are safe here” can reassure them.

You can hang up a little checklist of your hygiene routines at your spa or massage studio. This is one way of keeping things transparent and building client trust.

I’ve heard that asked countless times, and believe it or not, it is real. Massage will never transmit bird flu, but intimate contact with an infected person can. Following good hygiene practices and keeping your wits can easily lower that risk.

I remember that there had been one client who had shown up coughing and obviously unwell. I doubted but offered them the courtesy of doubt. What had I learned? Trust your gut. When there is a client who is too unwell to have a session, it is acceptable to set your boundaries and have them return after recovery.

At the end of the day, bird flu is possibly not that big of a risk within massage therapy, but it is definitely something that is important to remember. Your client’s health and your health will always come first. By maintaining good hygiene, keeping up on your facts, and taking initiative, you can stay safe without taking unnecessary risks and continue your practice unhampered.

If you’re local and want to visit a clean, safe, professional massage therapist, check out Raleigh Massage.