If you have a fever, or you wake up feeling like something is coming on, reschedule your massage. It is close, hands-on contact, and it is hard to rest well while your body is fighting something off. A sunburn, a rash or a new injury usually means working around the area, switching services, or moving your visit.
The short answer
Fever or feeling ill: reschedule.
Back again: after a full day without a fever, without medicine to bring it down.
Sunburn: tell the desk, then work around it, switch to a foot massage, or move your visit.
New injury or rash: skip that area, or check with your doctor first.
Free to move: more than 12 hours ahead.
Colds, flu and fevers
A massage is close contact with your therapist, and rest is what your body needs while it fights something off. If you have a fever, a cough that will not quit, or you feel something coming on, move your visit.
When you are ready to book again, a good rule is a full day without a fever, without medicine to bring it down. If you are still getting over it, or not sure, check with your doctor first.
Massage does not boost your immune system, so there is nothing to gain from pushing through.
Sunburn
Sunburned skin is hot, tender and easy to irritate, and pressure, oil and warmth tend to make it sting. You do not have to cancel, but tell the front desk where the burn is when you check in, or call before you come. You have three good options:
Work around it. Your therapist leaves the burned skin alone and spends the time where your skin is fine.
Switch to a foot massage. You stay fully clothed, and the work stays on your feet and lower legs. Skip this one if your feet or shins got sun too.
Reschedule. Moving your visit is free more than 12 hours ahead.
Leave hot stones for another visit, since heat on a burn only adds to the sting. If the burn has blistered or covers a large area, reschedule and let it heal.
A new injury, a rash or a skin problem
Tell the desk before you start. Your therapist can skip an area that is injured, bruised, swollen, broken or irritated. For anything new, severe or getting worse, check with your doctor first.
How to reschedule for free
Timing is what matters. Cancelling or changing more than 12 hours ahead is free. Inside 12 hours the charge is 50 percent of the service, and a no-show with no contact after 10 minutes is the full price. So decide the evening before: if you feel off the night before a morning appointment, move it then. The details are on the policies page.
Life happens. If something unexpected keeps you away, call us and we will work with you.
From Dr. Nick
When you are sick, rest is the treatment. A massage is best when your body can enjoy it, not when it is busy getting well.
Common questions
Can I get a massage with a cold?
Better not. Rest first, and come back after a full day without a fever.
Can I get a massage after a flu shot?
Usually, yes. Ask your therapist to skip the arm where you had the shot for a day or two.
Is it okay to get a massage with a sunburn?
Yes, if your therapist works around it or you switch to a foot massage. Skip hot stones, and reschedule if it has blistered.
What if I wake up sick on the day?
Call the studio as early as you can. Inside 12 hours a cancellation is charged 50 percent, but call us anyway; we will work with you.
Book your massage
Serenity Zen has studios in West Covina and Diamond Bar. Open daily, 10 AM to 9 PM.