Hello everyone,

I hope you are all doing well, massage therapy treatments will be opening soon and want to inform you about the new procedures. 

We ask that you do a self-assessment before coming into the office. This link provided by our government, has the self-assessment questionnaire: 

https://bc.thrive.health/covid19/en

All of us here at Westshore Wellness check ourselves for any sign or symptom of being unwell before coming into work. The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to other respiratory illnesses, including the flu and common cold. They include: 

• Fever: (average body temp is about 37°C (98.6°F) for people 12 years of age and older 38.9°C (102°F) and up is a fever. Children between the ages of 11 and under with a temp of 37.6°C (99.7°F) are considered to have a fever.
• Chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Sore throat and painful swallowing
• Stuffy or runny nose
• Loss of sense of smell
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite

If you are feeling any of these symptoms or your self-assessment tells you to stay home, please do. The cancelation policy will be waived during this time to ensure the safety of other patients and the staff.

What to expect while getting a massage:

• We want to recommend that you bring your facemask for treatment due to the proximity of the patient and practitioner.
• As of right now, we still can not allow many people into the office’s waiting area for social distancing reasons. So when arriving for your massage, we would appreciate it if you wait in your car until you get a call or text that the practitioner is ready.  
• Once inside, you may proceed to pay. If someone else is currently at the front desk, please continues to the next step.
• Wash your hands for 20 seconds; if the restroom is in use, the practitioner will have hand sanitizer for you.
• The documentation of intake, assessment, and informed consent before treatment will be mostly the same.
• The practitioner will leave the room so you can get settled and ready for treatment while the practitioner washes hands and forearms.
• You are allowed to ask for the practitioner to wear gloves, a facemask, and goggles or face shield during treatment. 
• After treatment is finished, The therapist will wash their hands while you get dressed
• Once you are ready, reassessment and home care will be provided
• Then more Handwashing and or hand sanitization after treatment is finished 
• If you have not paid previously Please do so now

Between each patient cleaning protocol: ( which I have always done but updated with government recommended cleaners)

• wipe down the table and with cleaner and disinfectant.
• There will be cleaning of doors, walls, countertops, and any objects within the treatment room.
• Replace sheets, blankets, and pillowcases for the massage table

While the Westshore Wellness staff and myself have taken measures to minimize the risk of viral transmission, there is still a risk. Due to the nature of massage therapy means that physical distancing is not possible in the treatment room. With your help, we can keep the clinic safe for everyone. 

I look forward to seeing you.

Samantha MacDonald, RMT