COVID-19 POLICIES UPDATE

     As you come in for your next appointment, you may see some changes aligning with industry recommended protocols to help protect the health and safety of everyone who comes through our clinic doors. We have also amended the contents of our policies and health intake forms, to include information relating to COVID-19.
​For example:
Before Session
  • We will communicate with you prior to your appointment to obtain updates to your health information and ask you specifically about your potential exposure to COVID-19.
  • We recommend that you arrive at the clinic at no earlier than 10 minutes from your appointed time. If you arrive too early, we ask that you stay in your car while you wait. This will prevent a gathering of clients in the reception area.
  • All clients are required to wear a face mask when entering the clinic and during massage sessions. We will strictly adhere to this protocol.​
  • If you feel ill on the day of your session, we will ask you to reschedule your session for another day. Please wait until you are fever free for at least 72hrs without medication before making an appointment. There will be no penalty for cancelling your appointment due to illness.
  • We will ask you to sign a COVID-19 HEALTH INFORMATION & LIABILITY WAIVER form prior to your massage (because things can change between the time you completed a health intake form when you scheduled your appointment and the day of your session).
  • We ask that you wash your hands and/or use hand sanitizer prior to entering the treatment room. We will have hand sanitizers available for you to use as needed.​​
During Session
  • We have provided a covered bin for your clothes and other personal items. This bin is sanitized and disinfected after each session.
  • We are requiring all clients to wear face masks during the entire massage session. The only exception would be if you have difficulty wearing face masks due to a health condition. In this situation, we can accommodate your comfort by modifying your positioning on the table and still minimize any possibilities of airborne virus transmission. Otherwise, we will adhere strictly to this rule.
  • We want you to experience the full benefit of healing and relaxation during your massage. Therefore, we ask that you limit talking to communicating about pressure, warmth, and overall comfort during your session.
After Session
  • Before taking your clothes from the bin, please use the hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your face and keep your face mask on.
  • Once you are dressed, please proceed to the reception area. 
  • Once home and for the next few days, we would ask that you contact us should you develop any cold or flu-like symptoms, or test positive for COVID-19.
Other modifications have also been implemented to help mitigate the transmission of COVID-19. For example:
  • We are currently asking everyone to schedule appointments and pre-pay for sessions online. This allows for limited handling of cash, credit cards, cell phones, and other objects used for processing payments.
  • We have updated the contents of our online Client Health Intake Form. Therefore, we require all clients to completely fill out and sign the form online. For established clients, we will resend the form and ask you to update your information. Should any person at the clinic develop any coronavirus symptoms or test positive for COVID-19, it is important that we have contact information for anyone who may have been exposed to the virus. This is part of the ‘COVID-19 tracking' process we are required to have in place.
  • Although our clinic has reopened for business amidst the coronavirus pandemic, we are only available for limited days and hours.
     All these requirements, protocols, and modifications seem overwhelming (even excessive). However, unlike other common viruses, COVID-19 is not fully understood nor do we have any guaranteed preventions available at this time. Statewide tests are yet to be conducted, while asymptomatic transmissions go undetected. Most healthy people who become infected with COVID-19 have no symptoms or have mild symptoms. We must be vigilant regardless of age and underlying illness. People who have underlying illness and who are older are at higher risk for getting severe disease, but they're not the only ones at risk.
We wish to express our gratitude to each and everyone. Your patience, selflessness, and compassion to your families and communities during this time is truly commendable. Please continue to remain safe, vigilant, and steadfast in your dedication to flattening the curve.
If you have any questions or need more information, please do not hesitate to contact us at ​ABBMassage503@gmail.com
Yours sincerely,
Maria R. Varesio, LMT
ABSOLUTE BALANCE BODYWORK LLC
11238 SE 21st Avenue, Suite 2
Milwaukie, OR 97222
503.890.9812​