I went to Massage Envy Yesterday

[SunGodess]

I went to Massage Envy Yesterday

This topic of bacteria has given me some things to think about. I admit that it never occured to me that the cup I was drinking from could be seen as a contaminent. So, what if I washed my hands, then got a new cup that was freshly washed and filled it to bring into the room? That way, it would never have been contaminated.

For me, I wash my hands so often that I would not think that having a cup that I touched prior to having *just* washed my hands would be a contaminant. Certainly I'm not performing surgery on anyone so I feel that that the level of santization would not be necessary. However, I do use a tube of creme and I think that this has definately brought to my attention I should be sanitizing it between clients!

Interesting thoughts!

 

[twix]

I went to Massage Envy Yesterday

Shivasiva wrote "From what you've written it sounds like an unexamined feeling"

That's a presumptuous statement. I gave my reasoning in my post, I'll post it again since neither you or Pueppi must have read it:

"What makes me more sensitive to some about germs is that I have firsthand experience with coneforum.xxxious diseases, as well as lice, scabies and athlete's foot, so I think I'm probably more aware than most about those types of things. Not to mention the clients I have who have weakened immune systems due to diseases or medications."

I'm not going to get baited into an argument over the science of bacteria and contamination. You're just going to have to either accept the answer I gave, or not, but I'm not getting into an in-depth psychological discussion here.

 

[Yogav]

I went to Massage Envy Yesterday

I think cross-contamination would be the main concern here. Reading this at first I thought, it probably wouldn't bother me if a therapist picked up a cup/water bottle mid massage. But consider this; the client before you may have possibly had something - anything - coneforum.xxxious sticking to them but they had no idea since they had no symptoms. The therapist took some drinks of water during that massage, and although he/she washed their hands between sessions, they didn't think about sanitizing that cup.

So during your massage, the same coneforum.xxxious particles are still on that cup, which your therapist is touching, then touching you. Sure, it's pretty unlikely that you'd get sick from it, but is it worth the risk?

 

[Dont worry b happy :)]

I went to Massage Envy Yesterday

Shivasiva wrote "From what you've written it sounds like an unexamined feeling"

That's a presumptuous statement. I gave my reasoning in my post, I'll post it again since neither you or Pueppi must have read it:

"What makes me more sensitive to some about germs is that I have firsthand experience with coneforum.xxxious diseases, as well as lice, scabies and athlete's foot, so I think I'm probably more aware than most about those types of things. Not to mention the clients I have who have weakened immune systems due to diseases or medications."

I'm not going to get baited into an argument over the science of bacteria and contamination. You're just going to have to either accept the answer I gave, or not, but I'm not getting into an in-depth psychological discussion here.

kathryn,

Indeed, I read your entire post before I responded. You aren't being baited into an argument, but it does sound like this is a stressor for you.

Maybe I should have said... "Food for thought. Here's what I think *yada yada*. Tell me more from your perspective."

I certainly didn't mean to get you upset, which is how you are coming across. I apologize if I opened any issues to an inappropriate depth for you.

 

[Febe]

I went to Massage Envy Yesterday

Pueppi, no worries. Don't mean to sound upset but I really don't understand why there is confusion on my stance in this matter. Maybe next time I'll wait and have breakfast before responding to posts as I have blood sugar problems. Sorry if I came across too strongly.

In my world, it's common sense. I try to keep my hands clean as possible for my clients and that includes not touching anything but the client's body and my lotion pump. If I have to touch or pick up anything else, I do it with a tissue in my hand. When I get a massage, I expect the same courtesy from my therapist. The air may be "rich with bacteria" that is just hanging around but it really festers on stuff, in fact bacteria & viruses grow freely on containers and other objects from saliva, food and human waste. It's when they grow on containers and other objects it can become dangerous.There are is a lot of information on the web, you can google it for yourself.

How do I know the therapist didn't have the same cup since the morning or get it from a fast food joint where the employee handled it with their snotty hands and then passed it to the therapist, who washes their hands but re-contaminates them every time they pick up the cup? How do I know the therapist didn't use the restroom, not wash their hands (which is more common than you think) and then handle the cup. Sure, they may wash their hands before my session, but then they are just re-contaminated when they pick up the cup for their drink. It's surprising to me that you and other readers don't get that, in fact I'm quite astounded that there even needs to be a discussion or explanation about it at all.

As I wrote before, I'll write it again: Fine if you absolutely need a drink of water in the middle of my massage session, just please wipe the hands before touching my body.

I also use a clean lotion pump every day as well as wipe my office down with a sanitizing wipe at the end of the day. And I have a ultra-violet light fan that keeps the office air clean (of course I don't expect other therapists to have one, but I like having fresh air in my office which can get stuffy).

This is very different behavior from what I practice at home or in my life. In the past, I've lived off dumpster dived food and would do it again if I had to. At home, the only time I wash my hands is after I use the toilet (especially since I had gotten hep A in Mexico once), and if I have anything sticky on them---which is rarely. Heck-- I even eat my dinner while petting the cat!

My home is quite germ friendly, but I don't run my business like that.