Clinic Re-opening Update (January 2021)

UPDATE! So I’ve just received an email from the NHPC regarding the new requirements. While there are still some things undecided they did note that there will be new PPE requirements coming into effect on January 4th, 2021. This will require that I purchase new PPE and I will be updating on my site as new information arises. As of right now, I am working under the impression that I will be going back to work on January 5th (enough time for supplies to arrive and folks to get their prescriptions/referrals in order). The booking site will reflect this by January 1st, 2021.

Yesterday the Alberta government announced the reopening of Massage Therapy with the new restriction that you must have a referral/letter from either a Doctor, Chiropractor, or Physiotherapist. The details have not been added to the Alberta Government's website and our associations are diligently working on the extended protocols so there are still many questions. However I thought it would be a good idea to bring this up now so that folks have time to acquire the appropriate prescription or referral from a physician or other regulated health professional. I’m under the impression that I will need to add a copy of the note/letter to your file, thankfully a photo or pdf scan of it is very easy for me to upload to your JaneApp account.

Unfortunately, with the lack of other information right now I won’t be opening up my schedule immediately. The first available appointments will be in early January with the caveat that I may still need to cancel these appointments if the situation changes. If you were one of the clients who’s appointment I had to cancel in January and you have a doctors note, please send an email with a photo/pdf of the note and I will add it to your file and put your appointment back into the schedule.

I do want to assure everyone that, as far as we know, there have been no cases of Covid-19 transmitted via massage therapy appointments. While we are in close contact, everyone at Placare is diligent about cleaning and PPE protocols. Massage therapists were initially included in this shutdown because we are still in the process of forming a regulatory college (unlike physiotherapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic who already have this body formed). My fingers are crossed that in the years to come a regulatory college will be formed and massage therapy can have more clearly stated regulations and protocols for situations like this.

I have a great deal of respect for the health team in Alberta for their hard work in figuring out how to keep us safe. I’m also very thankful for all of my clients and their understanding in how unpredictable this year has been.

I hope you’re all enjoying your holiday time with your family and that the next year brings us all a bit more stability and joy.

Covid-19 related schedule changes, part 2

As of December 12th, 2020 massage therapists are taking some time off again. As far as I know I will be at work again from January 15th onwards. But if that changes I will alert everyone with an affected appointment to let them know.

In the hopes of letting folks at least try to plan ahead a little bit I have opened up my schedule three months in advance for booking, as opposed to the usual two months. I know it’s tricky for any of us to plan ahead given the year we’ve had, but I wanted to put the option out there in case anyone wanted to take advantage of it.

June 2020 Updates

June Newsletter

It's been a while since I've seen any of you! I'm looking forward to getting back to work and learning to navigate our old clinic with many new rules. While our lives are starting to resume something like a routine I felt like it was a good time to reach out and start sharing some of the changes being made by the team at Placare.

Earlier this month the Premier announced that phase two (Massage is in phase two) would start no later than June 19th, last week he and Dr Hinshaw announced that would be pushed ahead a week so massage is officially open in Alberta. I'm still waiting on some supplies to show up but I'm happy to announce that things are on track for Compose Massage to be back in July. I have opened online booking so if you would like to book an appointment now you can!

In preparation for opening, I will highlight the changes to my practice below. While the massage treatment might be the same, the way that I am able to operate will need to be different. I thank you in advance for your understanding and patience while we all navigate this change. Each change was design to keep both of us as safe as possible while still allowing the massage to be as relaxing as possible. 

Please take the time to read this carefully. I understand this is a lot to take in. Thank you for taking the time. 


Prior to your appointment:

12 hrs before each appointment, you will need to complete a COVID-19 Screening form. This will be sent to you automatically via the online booking system before each appointment.

If you have ANY symptoms of the coronavirus and have not had a negative test associated with these particular symptoms you must cancel your appointment. There will be no cancellation fees associated with this. You can find all the symptoms here: https://www.alberta.ca/covid-19-testing-in-alberta.aspx. If you have had a test and your symptoms are not related you must contact me prior to your appointment so we can have a quick conversation. I understand that allergy symptoms and other conditions very much look like the coronavirus. 


On the day of your appointment:

In order to prevent any congestion in our lobby, I ask that you remain outside until I text or call you, letting you know I am ready for you to enter the office. If you do not have a cell phone I will come to the front door of the building to greet you. Please make sure that the phone number in your online booking profile is up to date.

In order to eliminate any possible physical distancing problems in our lobby, all billing and such will be done directly in my massage room. 

Upon arriving you will be asked to use the hand sanitizer at the front door. If you would also like to wash your hands just pop around to the sink in our kitchen.


During your treatment:

I will be wearing a mask the entire duration of your visit, this is to protect you from any possible risk that I may be asymptomatic. And I will ask you also to wear a mask when face-up during the massage. This is to protect me in case you are asymptomatic as well. When you are face down I understand breathing through a mask would be more than uncomfortable so I will have a towel on the armrest below the headrest to catch any droplets. If you would like to wear your own cloth mask please do, if you do not have one I can provide one for you.


I deeply understand that masks are uncomfortable and that some you may not wish to wear one. While it is not legally required for you to wear a mask I do have the ability to require it in my practice. If you do not wish to wear a mask I urge you to contact me and explain the reasons - if it is for a medical condition we may be able to find a different solution. Outside of any special needs or considerations, the mask will be required for you to receive a massage. 


Clinic Hygiene:

I have always taken great pride in how clean and tidy I keep my massage space, even more so now. All surfaces will be disinfected prior to your appointment. We have switched around some furniture in order to be able to achieve this.

As always, every single linen surface in the treatment room will be washed and only used for one client. That includes the sheets, blanket, pillow linens, etc. Additionally, I have purchased vinyl covers for both my table and pillows so that I may disinfect them between each appointment as well. 

Thank you very much for reading through everything. The success of getting back to work really does rely upon us working together to achieve a safe clinic space for myself and every other client I have. 



Some other changes:

I have shifted my hours of operation. I still will work Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Sunday but will be working slightly shorter shifts until I sort out what works best given the new circumstances. As always if you do not see a time you would like, please email or text me, I often have gaps in my schedule that I am able to fill.

I am very excited to see all of you! If you have any questions please email or call/text me.

Covid-19 related schedule changes

As we’re all aware, Covid-19 is an ongoing and ever-changing issue in Canada. I know that we’d all like to maintain as much of our regular routine as possible, but I also understand the need for some proactive action. “Flattening the curve” is something being talked about at length online and, from what my friends in healthcare tell me, it is absolutely what we should be aiming for. AHS has not yet mandated that all non-essential businesses close, but I have a sense that this will be the direction they take in the coming weeks. Despite all the inconvenience and financial strain that will result from that, I will not be able to argue with their logic if that’s the route they chose for us. I will always back the choices that ensure we keep each other safe.

To that end, I have made the choice to cancel my appointments for the next week. I will leave my schedule open so that people can continue to book in anticipation of being able to come in for appointments – but with the knowledge that we are in a very uncertain and fluid time and upcoming appointments may need to be cancelled if our situation changes. If the situation seems to stabilize and it appears safe to continue seeing clients, then I will do so. In the end, I’d much rather be considered a person who overreacts than a person who does not do enough.

If you need to get in touch with me please email, text, or call! I'm happy to answer any questions you have regarding my schedule changes.