Policies, consent and aftercare. AB Clinic, Huddersfield

Consent and Treatment Agreement 18 and over

This agreement explains what treatment involves, what it can and cannot do, what the risks are, and what we each expect of the other. You confirm it online before your first session. If the client is under 18, the Under 18 agreement applies instead.

1. About the clinic and your therapist

Trading name: AB Clinic
Legal status: Sole trader: Mohammed Zain trading as AB Clinic
Address: 21 Acre House, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD3 3DB
Telephone: 07878 263710
Email: enquires@absportsmassageclinic.com
Treating therapist: Mohammed Zain
Qualifications: Level 4 Award in Sports Massage (Sports Therapy Organisation, Merit); Wet, Dry, Oil and Fire Cupping Certificate (Al-Hijama Clinic & Training Centre); physiotherapy, in training
Insurance and membership: Fully insured. Insurer, policy number and professional body details are available on request at the clinic.

2. Treatments offered

Every session is priced per session (see payment). Within a session the therapist may use any of the following, chosen after assessment.

Deep tissue massage: Firm, sustained pressure applied to the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue. Lower body (hips, legs, lower back), upper body (back, shoulders, neck, arms), or both.
Sports massage: Assessment-led soft tissue work, which may include trigger point work, muscle energy techniques and stretching.
Injury-related rehabilitation: Structured assessment, hands-on treatment and a progressive exercise programme for a specific injury, usually over several sessions.
Dry cupping: Suction cups placed on the skin to lift the tissue. No skin is broken.
Wet cupping (hijama): Suction cupping followed by very small superficial incisions and re-cupping to draw a small quantity of blood. A separate consent applies and is signed at the clinic.
Sports taping: Rigid or elastic tape applied to support, offload or unload a joint or soft tissue.
Manual therapy: Hands-on mobilisation of joints and soft tissues to improve movement and reduce pain.
Alignment therapy: Postural assessment, and hands-on and exercise-based work aimed at improving posture and movement patterns.

3. What informed consent means

Consent means you agree to treatment after having been told, in terms you understand, what it involves, what the likely benefits are, what the risks and side effects are, and what the alternatives are, including doing nothing.

Your consent is voluntary. You are under no obligation to accept any treatment offered.
Your consent is specific. Agreeing to one treatment does not mean you have agreed to another. The therapist will ask again before changing approach, or before working on a new area.
Your consent is ongoing. It can be withdrawn at any point, including part-way through a session, without explanation. Say "stop" and treatment will stop immediately.
The therapist will check with you during treatment about pressure and comfort. Please speak up: pressure should be firm but tolerable, never something you have to brace against.

4. What treatment involves practically

You may be asked to remove some clothing so that the area being treated can be seen and worked on. You may keep on any clothing you wish, and treatment can be adapted, or worked through clothing or a towel.
You will be covered with towels or a sheet at all times. Only the area being worked on is uncovered. You will be given privacy to undress and dress.
Massage oil, wax or balm may be used. Tell the therapist about any allergy or preference.
Assessment may involve watching you move, testing muscle strength, and palpating (feeling) the area. This may briefly reproduce your symptoms.
Treatment of some areas, for example the gluteal region, hip flexors, chest wall, ribs or abdomen, requires working close to sensitive areas. The therapist will explain why, and will ask for your specific agreement before doing so. You may decline any part of this without affecting the rest of your treatment.
You are welcome to bring a chaperone, or to request one. Please let us know when booking so we can accommodate it.

5. Risks and side effects

All the treatments offered here are generally well tolerated, but no treatment is entirely without risk.

Common and expected, usually settling within 24 to 72 hours

Short-term soreness or aching in the treated area, similar to the day after unaccustomed exercise
Mild bruising or tenderness
Temporary tiredness, light-headedness or feeling emotional
Temporary increase in symptoms before improvement
Increased need to pass urine, and thirst
Circular marks after cupping, ranging from pink to dark purple, typically fading over 3 to 14 days
Skin irritation, redness or itching under tape

Uncommon

Bruising that is more extensive or longer-lasting than expected
Allergic or irritant reaction to oils, balms, adhesives or antiseptics
Blistering under a cup where suction is strong or prolonged
Headache or nausea after treatment
Aggravation of an existing condition requiring modification of future treatment

Rare but serious

Fracture, particularly where bone density is reduced
Damage to muscle, tendon, ligament or nerve tissue
Dislodging of a blood clot, in people with undiagnosed clotting problems
Skin infection, where the skin surface is broken
Fainting, with a risk of injury from falling
Serious adverse events following manipulation of the neck, including vascular injury. Where high-velocity neck techniques are considered, they will be discussed separately and specific consent obtained.

This list is not exhaustive. The therapist will discuss risks that are particularly relevant to you, based on the health questionnaire.

6. Scope of practice and limits

The therapist is a soft tissue and manual therapy practitioner. They are not a doctor, physiotherapist, osteopath or chiropractor unless separately stated and registered as such.
Treatment here is not a medical diagnosis. Any working explanation the therapist gives is an opinion about soft tissue and movement, not a medical diagnosis of disease.
The therapist will not tell anyone to stop, start or change prescribed medication. Only the prescriber can do that.
The therapist will not claim to treat, cure or prevent any disease. No claim is made that any treatment offered here cures illness.
If symptoms suggest something outside the therapist's scope, they will say so and advise a GP appointment or urgent care. They may decline to treat until that has happened.
If the condition does not improve as expected, the therapist will review the plan and may refer on.

7. Your responsibilities

Give full and accurate information about your health, medication and symptoms, and update it as things change.
Tell the therapist immediately if anything during treatment is painful, uncomfortable or distressing.
Follow reasonable aftercare advice, including hydration, rest and any exercises given.
Attend sober. Treatment will be declined if you appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Do not attend if you have a fever or an acute infectious illness. Contact us to rearrange.
Arrive with clean skin, and let us know in advance if you would prefer to shower on arrival where facilities allow.

8. Conduct

Treatment here is entirely non-sexual. Any behaviour, comment or request of a sexual nature will end the appointment immediately, the full fee will remain payable, you will not be treated again, and the matter may be reported to the police.

We equally do not tolerate aggressive, abusive or discriminatory behaviour towards the therapist or other clients. The therapist has the same right as you to stop a session at any time, and will do so if they feel unsafe or if continuing would not be in your interests.

10. Records, confidentiality and data

The therapist keeps a written record of health information, assessment and treatment. This is a professional and insurance requirement.
Records are kept securely and confidentially for 8 years after your last appointment.
Information will not be shared with anyone else without consent, except where the law requires it or where there is a serious risk to the safety of the client or of others.
CCTV operates outside the premises only, covering the entrance and immediate exterior. There is no CCTV anywhere inside the building, and none in the treatment room, waiting area, changing space or toilets.
Full details are set out in the Privacy Notice, which forms part of this agreement.

11. Liability

Nothing in this agreement excludes or limits the therapist's liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, for fraud, or for anything else which cannot lawfully be excluded or limited. Agreeing to this does not sign away your legal rights.

What you are agreeing to is that you have been told what treatment involves and what its risks are, that you have given accurate information about your health, and that you accept the ordinary and disclosed risks of treatment carried out competently and with reasonable skill and care.

The clinic accepts no responsibility for personal belongings left on the premises.

12. Concerns and complaints

If you are unhappy with any aspect of treatment, please tell the therapist first. Most concerns can be resolved straight away. To put it in writing, contact Mohammed Zain at enquires@absportsmassageclinic.com or on 07878 263710. We aim to acknowledge complaints within 5 working days and respond fully within 20 working days. If you remain dissatisfied, you may contact the therapist's professional body; details are available on request.

13. Ongoing consent

Consent is confirmed at each visit. At the start of every appointment you will be asked whether your health, medication or circumstances have changed.

Payment and cancellations Section 9 of the agreement

Payment

You can pay by card online when you book, or in cash at the clinic on the day. Card payments are not taken in the treatment room.
Payment in advance may be requested for longer or block bookings.
Sessions are priced per session as shown on the home page. The price applying to your appointment is the price quoted when you book.
Bundles of sessions are for the named client only and are valid for 12 months from purchase.
Anything priced on consultation is quoted and agreed before treatment begins, and may be declined at that point at no cost.

Cancelling or rearranging

More than 24 hours before: Cancel or rearrange free of charge. Anything already paid is refunded in full.
Between 24 hours and 1 hour before: A refund is at the clinic's discretion. We will always try to be reasonable, particularly where you are unwell or the slot can be filled, but a refund is not guaranteed.
Less than 1 hour before, or not attending: No refund is given, and the full fee remains payable.

If you arrive late, the session will still end at the scheduled time so that later clients are not delayed. The full fee remains payable.
If the clinic has to cancel, you will be offered the next available appointment or a full refund of anything paid in advance.
You can cancel online from My appointments up to an hour before. Inside an hour, call or WhatsApp 07878 263710.

Aftercare advice

Following this advice helps you get the most from your treatment and reduces the chance of side effects.

For the first 24 to 48 hours after any treatment

Drink plenty of water. Treatment increases circulation and you may feel more thirsty than usual.
Rest where you can. Avoid heavy training, competition or unaccustomed exertion for at least 24 hours.
Expect some soreness. Aching similar to the day after a hard session is normal and usually settles within 48 hours.
Apply a warm compress or take a warm bath to ease soreness. Avoid very hot baths, saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs and sunbeds for 24 hours.
Avoid alcohol for 24 hours. It dehydrates you and can make soreness and tiredness worse.
Eat something light and avoid heavy meals immediately afterwards.
Get up slowly from lying down. You may feel light-headed briefly.
Do any exercises you have been given as prescribed, and stop if they cause sharp or worsening pain.

Deep tissue and sports massage

Bruising and tenderness in the treated areas is common and should fade within a few days.
Gentle movement and walking is better than complete rest.
If soreness is significant, a cool pack for 10 to 15 minutes can help. Do not apply ice directly to the skin.
Return to full training gradually over 24 to 48 hours.

Dry cupping

Circular marks are expected. They range from pink to dark purple and normally fade over 3 to 14 days. They are not bruises in the ordinary sense and are usually not painful.
Keep the areas covered and warm for the rest of the day, and avoid draughts.
Avoid swimming, saunas, steam rooms and vigorous scrubbing of the area for 24 hours.
Marks may darken before they fade. This is normal.
Occasionally a small blister forms. Do not pop it. Cover it with a clean dry dressing and let us know.

Wet cupping (hijama)

This treatment breaks the skin, so wound care matters.

Keep the dressings on and dry for 24 hours. If a dressing becomes wet or soiled, replace it with a clean dry one using clean hands.
Do not soak, swim, use a sauna, steam room, hot tub or take a bath for 48 hours. A brief lukewarm shower after 24 hours is usually fine.
Do not pick, scratch or scrub the scabs. Let them come away on their own.
Do not apply oils, creams, lotions, fake tan or perfumed products to the sites until fully healed. Do not shave over the sites until fully healed.
Wear clean, loose clothing over the areas.
Avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting and contact sport for 48 hours.
Avoid alcohol and smoking for 24 hours. Both slow healing.
Eat well and rehydrate. Iron-rich foods are sensible if you feel tired. Some tiredness on the day is normal: plan a quiet evening.

Contact your GP or NHS 111 promptly if you notice any of the following: redness spreading outwards from a site, or red streaking; increasing pain, heat or swelling after the first 48 hours rather than improving; pus or discharge from a site, or a bad smell; a temperature, chills, shivering or feeling generally unwell; bleeding that soaks through a dressing and does not stop with 10 minutes of firm pressure; feeling faint, breathless, or having a racing heartbeat. Please also let the clinic know on 07878 263710 so we can record it. In an emergency, call 999.

Sports taping

Tape is normally left in place for 2 to 5 days depending on the type used and the area.
Pat the tape dry after showering. Do not use a hairdryer on a hot setting.
Remove the tape immediately if you notice itching, burning, a rash, numbness, pins and needles, or if the skin beyond the tape becomes pale, blue or cold. These suggest a reaction or that the tape is too tight.
Remove tape slowly, in the direction of hair growth, ideally in the shower or after applying oil to the edge.
Do not reapply tape to skin that is broken, blistered or irritated.

Manual therapy, alignment therapy and rehabilitation

It is common to feel a little stiff or sore for 24 to 48 hours as your body adapts.
Move normally. Avoid sitting still for long periods on the day of treatment.
Do your prescribed exercises consistently. This is usually what produces lasting change, more so than the hands-on work.
Discomfort during exercises that settles quickly afterwards is acceptable. Sharp pain, or pain that lingers into the next day, means stop and contact us.

When to contact the clinic

Soreness lasting more than 72 hours
Bruising that is spreading or unusually painful
New numbness, pins and needles, or weakness
Any reaction to oils, tape, antiseptics or dressings
Any symptom that worries you, whether or not it is on this list

WhatsApp or call 07878 263710. Out of hours: NHS 111. Emergencies: 999.

Clients under 18

Young people are welcome, with conditions that exist to protect them. Because of these, under-18s cannot be booked online: a parent or legal guardian books by phone or WhatsApp on 07878 263710 and signs the Under 18 agreement at the first appointment.

Conditions of treating a client under 18 at AB Clinic

A parent or legal guardian must attend the first appointment, sign the agreement, and remain in the treatment room for the whole of every appointment.
The young person is never treated alone. If the parent or guardian cannot stay, the appointment will be rearranged.
Wet cupping (hijama) is not offered to anyone under 18 in any circumstances.
Proof of the young person's age and of parental responsibility may be requested.

Consent, and the young person's own view

For a client under 18, legal consent is given by the parent or legal guardian. But consent on paper is not enough on its own, and the young person's own willingness matters just as much.

The therapist will explain the treatment to the young person in language they can understand, and will ask them directly whether they are happy to go ahead.
If the young person does not want a treatment, or does not want a particular area worked on, that decision is respected and the treatment will not be carried out, even if the parent or guardian has consented.
Treatment stops immediately if the young person asks it to stop, or shows through their behaviour that they want it to stop. No explanation is needed.
The young person will be asked again at each visit. Consent given once is not consent for every future session.
A young person of sufficient age and understanding may also sign the agreement themselves. This does not replace the guardian's consent, which is still required.

What treatment involves practically

A parent or legal guardian remains in the room for the entire appointment. The therapist will not treat a young person alone, and will not ask a guardian to wait outside.
The young person keeps on as much clothing as they wish. Loose sports clothing is usually best, and much of the work can be done through clothing.
Where clothing does need to be moved, only the specific area being treated is uncovered, and towels or a sheet cover everything else at all times.
The therapist will explain before touching a new area and will ask permission each time.
Treatment near sensitive areas is approached with particular caution. The therapist will explain why the area is relevant, will ask both the young person and the guardian, and will readily work elsewhere instead. It is always acceptable to say no.
The therapist may recommend a shorter session, a smaller treatment area, or lighter pressure than an adult would receive.

Safeguarding

The clinic operates a no lone working rule with under-18s. A parent or guardian is present throughout.
The therapist holds a current enhanced DBS check and completes safeguarding training every 3 years. The clinic has a written safeguarding policy, available on request.
Photographs of a young person are not taken for any purpose without the separate written consent of the guardian, and are never used for promotion or teaching.
The therapist does not communicate privately with a client under 18. All messages, appointment reminders and follow-up go to the parent or guardian.
Confidentiality is not absolute. If the therapist becomes concerned that a child is at risk of harm, they have a duty to share that concern with the local authority children's services or the police, and they will do so, if necessary without the family's agreement. Where it is safe and appropriate, the family will be told first.
Clinic safeguarding lead: Mohammed Zain. In an emergency: 999.

Risks specific to young people

Young people bruise and mark readily, and cupping marks in particular can look dramatic. Marks may be visible at school, at a club, or during sport, and may prompt questions. The therapist will discuss placement with you before treating.

Growing bodies are not small adult bodies. Pain in a young athlete can come from growth-related conditions of the growth plates, or occasionally from something that needs medical investigation. If the therapist has any doubt, they will decline to treat and ask you to see your GP first.

Responsibilities of the parent or guardian

Give full and accurate information about the young person's health, medication, allergies and injuries, and update it as things change.
Attend and remain present for the whole of every appointment.
Tell the therapist straight away if the young person seems uncomfortable, distressed or reluctant.
Support any aftercare or exercises given, and supervise them where needed.
Do not bring the young person if they are feverish or have an infectious illness.

Records

Records for a client treated under 18 are kept securely until their 25th birthday, or their 26th birthday if they were 17 at the time of treatment. Photographs for teaching or promotion are not offered for under-18s. The payment, cancellation, conduct, liability and complaints terms of the main agreement apply equally.

Wet cupping (hijama) Separate consent

Wet cupping breaks the surface of the skin and draws blood. It carries risks that dry cupping and massage do not, so it has its own consent form, which the therapist goes through with you at the clinic before treating. This is what it says.

What wet cupping is and what happens

Wet cupping, also called hijama, is a traditional practice in which a small quantity of blood is drawn from just beneath the surface of the skin using suction cups. A typical session:

The therapist discusses your health, checks the consent form and identifies suitable sites.
The skin is cleaned with an antiseptic solution.
Suction cups are applied for a few minutes to draw blood towards the surface. This is the same as dry cupping and does not break the skin.
The cups are removed and a small number of very fine, superficial scratches or punctures are made in the skin using a sterile, single-use blade or lancet. These do not go deeper than the outer layers of the skin.
The cups are reapplied, and a small amount of blood collects inside them over several minutes.
The cups are removed, the skin is cleaned again, and a dressing is applied where needed.
All blades, cups and dressings used are single-use and are disposed of as clinical or sharps waste.

The total volume of blood drawn in a session is small, typically far less than a blood donation, but it varies between individuals and sites.

What wet cupping can and cannot do

Wet cupping is a traditional and complementary practice. The scientific evidence for it is limited and of mixed quality.
No claim is made, and none should be understood from anything said in this clinic, that wet cupping treats, cures or prevents any disease or medical condition.
Wet cupping is not a treatment for cancer, infection, heart disease, diabetes, infertility, mental illness or any other diagnosed medical condition.
Wet cupping is not a substitute for medical care. You should not delay seeing your GP, stop attending medical appointments, or stop or alter any prescribed medication because of treatment received here.
Some people report feeling better after wet cupping, including reduced muscular pain and a sense of wellbeing. Others notice no difference. Results cannot be guaranteed.

Risks and side effects

Expected in most people

Circular marks and bruising at the cup sites, usually fading within 3 to 14 days
Small scratch or puncture marks that scab over and heal within a few days
Tenderness and mild soreness at the sites; tiredness for the rest of the day

Uncommon

Light-headedness, dizziness, nausea or fainting during or shortly after treatment
Bleeding that continues for longer than expected; blistering under a cup
Reaction to the antiseptic or to the dressing; headache
Marks that take several weeks to fade, or temporary darkening or lightening of the skin at the sites

Rare but serious

Infection of the skin at an incision site, which may need antibiotic treatment; deeper infection, including cellulitis, or in very rare cases bloodstream infection
Permanent scarring, including raised or keloid scars, particularly in those prone to them and in those with darker skin tones
Significant blood loss or worsening of anaemia, particularly with repeated or extensive treatment
Injury from falling if you faint
Transmission of a blood-borne virus. This risk is minimised to as close to zero as possible by the exclusive use of sterile single-use equipment, but it cannot be stated to be nil.

Who it is not suitable for

Treatment will be declined, postponed, or only offered after you have spoken to your GP if any of the following apply. This is for your safety.

Taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication (warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban, edoxaban, dabigatran, clopidogrel, heparin, daily aspirin)
Haemophilia, von Willebrand disease, thrombocytopenia or any other bleeding or clotting disorder
Anaemia, low iron, or a history of low haemoglobin; a haemoglobin disorder such as sickle cell disease or thalassaemia
Pregnant, possibly pregnant, or given birth in the last 6 weeks
Currently receiving chemotherapy, radiotherapy or immunosuppressant treatment; organ failure or dialysis
Uncontrolled diabetes, diabetic neuropathy or poor wound healing
A known blood-borne infection (hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV)
An active infection, fever or feeling unwell on the day
Under 18 years of age

Treatment may still be possible with modification if you have low blood pressure or a history of fainting, a heart condition or implanted device, a history of stroke, DVT or blood clots, keloid scarring, skin conditions at the intended sites, an allergy to antiseptics, latex, plasters or dressings, have donated blood in the last 8 weeks, are fasting or have not eaten, have drunk alcohol in the last 24 hours, have exercised strenuously that day, or have had a vaccination or medical procedure in the last 7 days. Tell the therapist.

Before a wet cupping appointment

Eat a light meal 2 to 3 hours beforehand. Do not attend having eaten nothing all day.
Drink plenty of water in the 24 hours before, and on the day.
Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before and 24 hours after. Avoid heavy exercise on the day.
Shower beforehand and attend with clean skin. Do not apply oils, creams or fake tan to the areas to be treated.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing that gives access to the areas being treated, and that you do not mind marking.
If you are unwell, feverish or have an infection, please rearrange.

Emergency. If you feel faint, unwell, or unusually anxious at any point, tell the therapist immediately. Treatment will be stopped, the cups removed, and you will be laid flat with your legs raised until you recover. In a medical emergency the therapist will call 999, so please keep your emergency contact details current.

Privacy notice

This notice explains what personal information Mohammed Zain, trading as AB Clinic, collects about you, why we collect it, how we look after it, and what rights you have. It is written to meet our obligations under the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018.

1. Who we are

Data controller: Mohammed Zain trading as AB Clinic (sole trader)
Address: 21 Acre House, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD3 3DB
Contact for data matters: Mohammed Zain, enquires@absportsmassageclinic.com, 07878 263710

2. What we collect

Information that identifies you

Name, date of birth, address, telephone number and email address
Emergency contact details; your GP's name and practice
Occupation and lifestyle information relevant to your treatment

Health information (a special category of data)

Your medical history, current conditions, medication, allergies and previous injuries
The symptoms you describe and the assessment findings we record
Details of the treatment given at each visit, and how you responded
Photographs, where you have given separate consent

Other information

Appointment and payment records; correspondence between us, including messages and emails
Feedback you give after a session, and testimonials you agree to publish
Anonymous website statistics: pages viewed, buttons pressed and how far a page was scrolled, tied to a random identifier that lasts only for that visit. No name, number or other personal detail is attached, and no third-party advertising cookies are used.
CCTV footage from the cameras covering the outside of the premises. There is no CCTV inside the building.

3. Why we use it, and our lawful basis

To decide whether treatment is safe for you and to provide it: Contract (Article 6(1)(b)) for the personal data, and the provision of health care and treatment (Article 9(2)(h)) for the health data
To keep clinical records, as required by our professional body and insurer: Legal obligation and legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(c) and (f)); Article 9(2)(h)
To manage appointments, send reminders and take payment: Contract (Article 6(1)(b))
To meet accounting and tax requirements: Legal obligation (Article 6(1)(c))
To defend a complaint, claim or insurance matter: Legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f)); legal claims (Article 9(2)(f))
To send you marketing, offers or clinic news: Consent (Article 6(1)(a)), which you may withdraw at any time
To use anonymised images or testimonials for teaching or promotion: Explicit consent (Article 9(2)(a)), which you may withdraw at any time

4. Who we share it with

We do not sell your information, and we do not share it for marketing purposes. We may share it in these limited circumstances:

With your GP or another healthcare professional, where you have asked us to, or with your consent
With our insurer and legal advisers, if a claim or complaint is made; with our professional body, if it investigates a complaint about us
With our accountant, for payment and tax records
With IT, hosting, text-messaging and appointment-booking providers who run our systems on our behalf, under written terms that require them to keep your data secure and use it only on our instructions
Where the law requires it, for example a court order, or where there is a serious risk to your safety or to the safety of a child or vulnerable adult

5. Where your information is held

Records are held electronically in a password-protected booking system with access limited to the therapist, and where paper is used, in a locked cabinet at the clinic. Where a provider stores data outside the UK, we make sure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as UK adequacy regulations or the International Data Transfer Addendum.

6. CCTV

CCTV is used at the entrance and immediate exterior of 21 Acre House, for the safety of clients and staff and for the security of the premises. Our lawful basis is legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f)).

There is no CCTV anywhere inside the building. No camera covers the treatment room, the waiting area, any changing space or the toilets.
External cameras do not record audio. Signage is displayed so that anyone approaching the premises knows recording is taking place.
Footage is retained for 30 days and then automatically overwritten, unless it has been retained for a specific incident.
Footage is viewed only by Mohammed Zain, and is shared only with the police or an insurer where there is a proper reason to do so.
You may request a copy of footage of yourself. Where other people appear in it, their images will be obscured before release.

7. How long we keep it

Adult clinical records: 8 years after your final appointment
Clinical records for anyone treated under 18: until their 25th birthday, or their 26th if they were 17 at the time of treatment
Consent forms for wet cupping and other invasive procedures: kept with the clinical record for the same period
Financial records: 6 years plus the current tax year
Marketing consents: until you withdraw consent, and a suppression record kept thereafter so we do not contact you again
External CCTV footage: 30 days

These periods reflect the limitation periods for personal injury claims and our insurer's requirements. At the end of the period, records are securely destroyed or deleted.

8. Your rights

Be informed about how your data is used, which this notice sets out
Request a copy of the information we hold about you (a subject access request). We will respond within one month and there is normally no charge.
Have inaccurate information corrected
Ask for information to be erased. This right is limited where we are required to keep clinical records.
Ask us to restrict how we use your information; object to processing based on legitimate interests; data portability, in certain circumstances
Withdraw consent at any time, where we rely on consent. This does not affect anything done before you withdrew it.

To exercise any of these rights, contact Mohammed Zain at enquires@absportsmassageclinic.com.

9. Keeping your information secure

Electronic records are password-protected and encrypted in transit, with access limited to those who need it. You sign in to your own account with a one-time code sent to your phone; there are no passwords to leak.
Paper records, where used, are stored in a locked cabinet accessible only to the therapist.
Devices are protected by strong passwords and screen locks, and kept up to date. We do not discuss your treatment where you can be overheard.
If a data breach occurs that is likely to result in a risk to your rights and freedoms, we will report it to the Information Commissioner's Office within 72 hours and tell you where required.

10. Automated decision-making

We do not use your information for automated decision-making or profiling.

11. Changes to this notice

We review this notice regularly. The current version is always available on this page and at the clinic on request. This is version 1.0.

12. Complaints

If you are unhappy with how we have handled your personal information, please contact us first at enquires@absportsmassageclinic.com so we can try to put it right. You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office: ico.org.uk, helpline 0303 123 1113, or by post to Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.