Last updated Mar 12, 2024
Covid-19 continues to change how we live and how we work. Let me share with you our latest guidelines for Licensed Massage Therapists in Washington state. These guidelines are subject to change depending on how we move through the Phases of recovery. I will update my office guidelines as necessary to keep you informed of how I am currently practicing. Please read this entire page that reviews PPE’s/office guidelines, what to expect before and day of session and what is required for high-risk clients.
Bowenwork Health Center is subject to Washington State’s Safe Start Plan, the Washington State Department of Health and the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) Guidelines for Practice with COVID-19 Considerations.
Licensed Massage Therapists in the state of Washington are licensed and regulated Health Care Providers; hence, the Governor’s mandate is to be fully vaccinated as of October, 2021. Effective March 12, 2022, masks are required in office at all times.
- Face masks – required to be worn by practitioner and client.
- Gloves – COVID-19 do not require special glove use by practitioner. Please do not wear your gloves into the office.
- All surfaces will be cleaned with an EPA-registered disinfectant between each session, per CDC guidelines.
- In addition, all high-touch surfaces coming in and exiting building, session room and restroom will be cleaned between clients.
- HEPA.1 micron filters in main office and one in each treatment room.
- Practitioner self-monitors for the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 every day and as necessary advise any clients who may have been exposed.
What to expect before and day of your session
Before your session:
- Via email or a phone call I will screen your recent health by asking COVID-19 specific questions:
- Have you been asked to self-isolate or quarantine by a doctor or a local public health official in the last 14 days?
- Have you experienced any cold or flu-like symptoms in the last 14 days (fever, cough, shortness of breath or other respiratory problem?)
- Have you experienced any chills, muscle aches, new loss of taste or smell, or new rashes or lesions in the last 14 days?
- Have you had close contact with someone known to have COVID-19? CDC definition of close contact is within 6 feet of a person known to have COVID-19 for 15 minutes or longer.
- Cared for someone diagnosed with COVID-19, or someone exhibiting cold or flu like symptoms within the last 14 days?
- Have you been tested for COVID-19, when, and results?
Day of session:
- Clients will be asked to wait in their cars or outside until I text/call you to come in.
- If you are wearing gloves, please remove them as they may be contaminated with respiratory droplets from touching your nose or face.
- Please sanitize your hands immediately before putting on your mask and entering the building.
- I will greet you at the door and use a no-touch temperature scan to confirm you have a temperature no higher than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Screening question: have you developed cold or flu-like symptoms or other symptoms suggesting illness since the pre-session phone call?
- You will be escorted to the session room.
- We will work together to find the most comfortable way for you to have the session with your mask on and get down to the business at hand!
In spite of the new normal we are all experiencing, I must say I truly look forward to working with you as you move toward increased health and holistic well-being! We can do this!
Clients at High Risk*
Unless otherwise directed by your primary healthcare provider, clients at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 should forgo Bowenwork while the virus is present in their communities.
(If you are at high risk, please check with your primary care provider to ensure Bowenwork is appropriate for you, and if so, provide me with a prescription for Bowenwork.)
The CDC indicates the following underlying conditions place people of any age at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19:
- People 65 years or older
- Chronic lung disease/COPD
- Serious heart conditions such as coronary artery disease, heart failure or cardiomyopathies
- Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant
- Severe obesity (body mass index of 30 or higher)
- Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
- Chronic kidney disease
- Sickle Cell disease
*FSMTB Guidelines for Practice with COVID-19 Considerations