Medical spa · Patient intake

Massage Intake Form

A Massage Therapy Intake Form is the document a client completes before a massage session so the therapist can review health history, current symptoms, treatment goals, and consent. Massage therapists and spa staff use it to identify contraindications and tailor pressure and technique safely. This template is a starting point, so confirm wording with your own compliance or legal counsel.

What does a Massage Therapy Intake Form include?

Most massage intake forms follow the structure recommended by professional bodies such as the American Massage Therapy Association. Common sections include:

  • Client and contact details. Name, date of birth, phone, email, and an emergency contact for the file.
  • Reason for visit and goals. What brings the client in, such as pain relief, relaxation, or injury recovery.
  • Medical history. Current and past conditions, surgeries, injuries, and any physician care that affects treatment.
  • Medications and allergies. Prescriptions, supplements, and sensitivities to oils, lotions, or scents used in the session.
  • Areas of pain or tension. Locations of discomfort, often marked on a body diagram, plus pressure preferences.
  • Contraindications. Pregnancy, blood clots, recent injuries, skin conditions, and other factors that may limit techniques.
  • Consent and policies. Informed consent to treatment, draping and boundary acknowledgments, and cancellation policy.
  • Signature and date. Client attestation that the information is accurate and consent is given.

How to administer the Massage Therapy Intake Form

  • Send the form to the client by text or email when the appointment is booked.
  • Ask the client to complete health history, goals, and pain areas before arrival.
  • Have the client review consent and policy language and sign electronically.
  • Let the therapist read the responses before the session to plan technique and pressure.
  • Store the completed form securely so it is ready before the visit.
  • For returning clients, send a short update request so history stays current.

Who uses the Massage Therapy Intake Form?

  • Licensed massage therapists. To screen for contraindications and plan safe, goal-based sessions.
  • Medical spas and wellness centers. To collect health history and consent before bodywork services.
  • Chiropractic and physical therapy clinics. To coordinate massage as part of a broader treatment plan.
  • Front desk and intake staff. To gather paperwork ahead of time and reduce waiting-room delays.

Digital vs paper Massage Therapy Intake Form

PaperZentake digital
Handwriting can be hard to readTyped responses are clear and complete
Filled out in the waiting roomCompleted at home before the visit
Signed with a pen on paperSigned electronically on any device
Stored in physical filesStored in encrypted, HIPAA-compliant records
Updates mean reprinting formsReturning clients update in a few taps
Staff rekey and file each formResponses are organized automatically

How Zentake helps with the Massage Therapy Intake Form

  • Custom form builder. Build your intake with the exact history, pain diagram, and consent fields your practice needs.
  • E-signatures. Capture legally sound signatures on consent and policy sections without any paper.
  • Before the visit. Forms are ready before the appointment for medical spa practices and other wellness settings.
  • In-clinic tablets. Clients who did not fill out the form early can complete it on a tablet at check-in.
  • HIPAA compliant. Responses are encrypted and covered by a signed BAA on every plan.

References

The American Massage Therapy Association publishes client intake forms and templates that outline the health history, contraindication screening, and consent elements standard to massage practice. Documentation and consent specifics vary by state licensing rules, so confirm requirements with your state board and your own compliance or legal counsel.

Last updated: August 2026

Frequently asked

Massage Therapy Intake Form questions, answered.

What does a Massage Therapy Intake Form include?

A Massage Therapy Intake Form includes client contact and emergency details, reason for visit and goals, medical history, medications and allergies, areas of pain or tension, contraindications such as pregnancy or injuries, and informed consent with a signature. Together these help the therapist plan a safe, personalized session.

Why do massage therapists use an intake form?

Massage therapists use the form to screen for contraindications, understand a client's goals, and choose safe pressure and techniques. It documents consent and health history in one place, protects both client and practice, and creates a record the therapist can review before and between sessions.

Is a massage intake form legally required?

Requirements depend on your state licensing board and practice policies rather than a single national rule. Most professional standards strongly recommend documented health history and informed consent. This template is a starting point, so confirm exact wording and retention rules with your state board and your own legal counsel.

When should clients complete the intake form?

Clients should complete the form before their first appointment, ideally at home when it is sent by text or email at booking. Completing it early gives the therapist time to review responses and plan the session, and it reduces paperwork and waiting-room time on arrival.

Do returning clients need to fill it out again?

Returning clients do not start over. They review their existing information and update anything that changed, such as new injuries, medications, or goals. A quick update keeps the health history current and accurate so each session stays safe without repeating the full intake every visit.

Is a digital massage intake form HIPAA compliant?

With Zentake, yes. Responses are encrypted in transit and at rest, and a signed business associate agreement is included on every plan. Digital intake also improves legibility and storage compared with paper, while keeping protected health information secure and ready before the visit.

In Zentake

Send the Massage Therapy Intake Form in three clicks.

From sending to signing to chart write-back. No manual math, no transcription, no PDF wrangling.