COVID-19 information & procedures

Your safety, and mine, are very important to me so I've made many changes.

All clients will be asked to fill out new health intake forms electronically, including a COVID-19 Information and Liability Waiver.  

One day prior to your appointment, I will email you a short COVID-19 questionnaire asking about your recent health and exposure.  I will text you to remind you that I've sent it and am expecting a reply.  Please return that to me by 8am on the day of your appointment.

My Behavior:

• I will monitor my own health closely by taking my temperature daily.
• I will stay current and follow all public health requirements of Allegheny County and the State of Pennsylvania.
• I will stay current and follow  best practices recommended by my professional organization, ABMP, Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals
• I will stay current and follow recommendations of the CDC and OSHA.

• No extra people.  Only the client will be allowed into the office, so please don't bring anyone else with you expecting them to sit in the waiting area. This reduces our risk by limiting the number of people/germs in my office to 3 to 4 a day plus myself. 
• Face masks must be worn at all times by both therapist and client.  (There is a nifty way to contain droplets face down while you wear your mask around your neck instead of over your mouth and nose. Face up will require a mask.)
• Air Filter-- a high-quality HEPA filter/air purifier will be run at all times (on max speed/noise when clients are not present and quieter when they are)
• Floor Coverings -- hard vinyl floor coverings that can be cleaned between clients have been added to the office (to avoid the problem of sanitizing carpet)
• Anti-Viral Essential Oils will be diffused (more info at bottom of page)
• Many furnishings and decorations have been removed (to make disinfecting as easy as possible).  It's definitely a more clinical look.
• Facial massage will not be included in your session. (I'll still get your head and anterior neck though.)
• Hot stones and cupping will be unavailable until the COVID-related blood clotting issues are better understood in the context of massage therapy.
• Price Increases have been implemented by $5 to $10 a service to cover COVID-related supplies, to cover the extra 20 to 30 minutes of disinfecting time, and to make my rates comparable with local spas and franchises. 
• 30-minute sessions will no longer be available (since disinfecting between clients now takes so long).

The ambiance will not be the same but the massage will still be effective and relaxing.

Masks are required for both of us at all times.  If you forget yours, I can meet you in the parking lot with a disposable surgical mask.  

I will be leaving 45 to 60 minutes, instead of my usual 30, between clients to allow for this longer process plus all the extra disinfecting.  Please be patient as we learn this together.  

Erring on the side of caution:

• If you have the opportunity, use the restroom and wash your hands before leaving your home or office.  
• Clients will call or text me from their vehicles upon arrival and I will let them know that it is safe to come into my office.
• Please put on a mask before entering the building. 
• I will meet you at my suite door and use a touchless thermometer to take your temperature. (Clients at/above 100 will be asked to reschedule)
• I'll have you sanitize your hands at the door and we'll proceed directly into the treatment room.
• I'll leave the room.
• Clients will undress keeping your mask on and get unto the massage table while I go down the hall to wash my hands
• After I enter the treatment room, I'll use a hand sanitizer
• We'll then do your massage with me pausing to sanitize my hands after working near your head or on your hands or feet.
• I'll sanitize my hands upon leaving the room
• You will get dressed and open the door.
• After you pay and rebook, we'll both use hand sanitizer again.

Between clients:

• (as always) there will be lots of hand washing
• all hard surfaces in the waiting room and treatment room will be wiped down with an EPA-approved COVID disinfectant and left wet for the required time (light switches, lamp switches, doorknobs, tables, chairs, water bottle, cell phone, credit card reader, music system, massage lotion, essential oil bottles, basically, everything I can think of)
• (as always) sheets and blankets will be changed between clients
• the massage table will be wiped down, including the legs
• the vinyl covering on the massage table will be wiped down
• the face cradle and the metal "holder" for it will be disinfected
• my rolling stool will be wiped down (including the legs)
• hard vinyl floor coverings will be mopped
• I will change face masks and put on a new apron or new pants and shirt
• I will disinfect my shoes
• HEPA filter will be set to maximum air volume until the next client's arrival

Cinnamon bark oil, thyme, lemongrass, oregano, tea tree, clove, rosemary, basil, lemon, orange, bergamot, and eucalyptus essential oils all have anti-viral properties.  (PubMed and the NIH websites have lots of studies, so you don't just have to take my word for it.)  I'll be diffusing a combination of organic antiviral essential oils in my office until further notice.   All these oils are safe for use in a diffuser regardless of pre-existing health conditions. (Yes, pregnancy too.)

Allergy sufferer? Essential oils do not contain the plant proteins that cause histamine responses. Therefore, I'm not expecting anyone to have allergic reactions.  Case in point:  I'm horribly allergic to lavender as a plant and as an ingredient in many products but have no reaction to it as an essential oil. So far, I've not found an essential oil I'm allergic too and I'm allergic to many lotions, shampoo, perfumes, cleaning products, etc. 

But please call me to discuss your situation if you expect difficulties with the essential oils.  Perhaps you could see if the "plant protein" theory is accurate for you? or plan on an antihistamine?