Opinion: Expiration Dates on Services are Not Ideal

Allan Share
Since 2010, Allan Share has been the president of the Spa Industry Association (SIA) and an acknowledged leader in the spa industry. He has been a manufacturer, distributor, and consultant in the spa channel for 35years and currently is the unofficial (and unpaid) mayor of the spa channel. You can reach him at allan@spaindustryassociation.com. (Spa Industry Association)

I recently had a shoulder surgery, and have been getting post-surgery treatments at a local recovery facility. My treatment plan includes red-light therapy three times a week, hyperbaric oxygen, massage, chiropractic treatments, and weightlifting to keep the shoulder strong. After a treatment last week, I mentioned to someone at the facility that I could go on forever with treatments and I was told that “there’s no expiration date on wellness treatments.” This is modern healthcare.

There will always be a reason to visit your allopathic doctor, but for me, the first stop is complementary medicine, and here’s why:

Wellness is Timeless

• Wellness treatments are not bound by a seasonal or perishable timeline; the benefits remain the same, regardless of when they are used.

• Unlike medications, treatments like massage or yoga are cumulative and feel great.

Encourages Long-Term Wellbeing

• Wellness is a lifelong journey. Clients should be reminded that self-care is ongoing.

• This approach empowers people to integrate wellness practices into their life.

Reduces Stress and Pressure

• The very purpose of wellness brings down the stress that encompasses our world today.

• Clients may feel rushed to use a treatment package, turning what should be a relaxing experience into a source of anxiety. Let them know packages are ongoing with no expiration date.

Accessibility and Inclusivity

• Some clients may face financial, health, or personal challenges that delay their use of treatments. Be flexible in your practice.

• A no-expiration policy ensures that everyone has equal access to wellness.

Stronger Client Loyalty

• Clients appreciate flexibility and are more likely to return to businesses that honor their investment without restrictive terms.

• A no-expiration policy fosters goodwill, word-of-mouth referrals, and repeat visits.

Financial Integrity

• When clients pay for treatments, they are making a clear investment. Imposing expiration dates could be perceived as unfair if services go unused.

• By allowing treatments to remain valid indefinitely, businesses show transparency and fairness.

Practical and Logistical Simplicity

• Businesses avoid the administrative burden of tracking expiration dates and managing exceptions.

• Staff no longer have to handle uncomfortable conversations with clients who miss deadlines.

Enhances Gift Appeal

• Gift certificates for wellness treatments are more appealing when they do not expire.

• Givers feel reassured that the gift will always be redeemable, while recipients can wait until the right moment to use it.

Respect for Life’s Unpredictability

• A no-expiration approach shows empathy and acknowledges the reality that wellness is needed most when life is challenging.

• This makes treatments a supportive tool instead of another deadline to meet. 

Wellness is about nurturing the mind, body, and spirit—something that cannot and should not be con- fined by a calendar.