By the Templateez Team · Licensed Attorney (NJ & NY) · June 2026

Massage Therapy Intake Forms: What Every LMT Needs at First Visit

A massage therapy intake form is not just a formality. It is a clinical and legal safeguard that protects both the therapist and the client. In a profession where you are touching someone's body, the documentation standards matter.

Contraindications Come First

Before anything else, your intake must screen for conditions that affect whether and how you can proceed. This includes cardiovascular conditions (DVT, blood clots, recent heart attack), skin conditions (open wounds, infections, rashes), recent surgeries, pregnancy, cancer or active treatment, osteoporosis, blood-thinning medications, and any condition where pressure or manipulation could cause harm. If you miss one of these, you are not just risking a bad outcome; you are risking your license.

Health History

Beyond contraindications, you need a baseline: current medications, allergies (especially to oils and lotions), chronic conditions, previous massage experience, areas of pain or tension, and any injuries or surgeries. This informs your treatment plan and gives you a documented starting point for progress notes.

Pressure and Preference

What the client wants matters as much as what they need. Your intake should capture preferred pressure level (light, medium, firm, deep tissue), areas to focus on, areas to avoid, sensitivity to temperature, and comfort with specific techniques (hot stones, cupping, aromatherapy). Capturing this in writing before the session means you are not guessing during it.

Consent and Scope

Your client questionnaire should include informed consent that covers the scope of massage therapy (it is not medical treatment), the client's right to stop the session at any time, draping policies, and the client's acknowledgment that they have disclosed all relevant health information. This is not optional. Most state licensing boards require documented consent.

Why a Fillable PDF Works for Massage Therapists

Many massage therapists work out of shared spaces, home offices, or mobile setups. A monthly software subscription does not make sense when you see 10 to 20 clients per week. A fillable PDF that the client can complete on a tablet in the waiting room, or that you email before the appointment, works with any setup and costs a one-time $19.99 instead of $49+/month.