I want to be able to open as soon as safely possible, so I will continue to closely monitor announcements, directives, and guidance from the CDC, WA Department of Health, and my allied health professionals to determine the best practices and standards of care regarding when it is safe to operate.

At this time, to continue to protect the health and safety of my patients and our community, I will be extending the closure time for Warrior Massage.  I expect it will extend further as the crisis continues, but am hopeful that it will abate sooner rather than later.  Once again I am terribly sorry, especially for my patients who are in pain and looking for relief.  Please know that I am thinking of you and agonize over the decision to extend this closure. 

If your appointment has been cancelled due to this closure, I will be calling you once it is lifted to schedule a new appointment.

This post will be updated with new dates if/when it is determined that the closure must last longer.

In consideration of the evolving information regarding the COVID-19 virus, and professional consensus on standards of care, Warrior Massage is halting operations at this time, tentatively to be re-opened after March 31st.  As the epidemiological situation is still evolving, it is possible that we will remain closed longer, depending on Department of Health recommendations and professional standards.

This was not an easy decision to come to, as among my patients are people recovering and suffering from physical injury, crippling pain, opioid addiction, terminal illness, and other serious issues.  The harm caused by ceasing treatment at this time, however, must be weighed against the risk of exposure to - and risk of becoming a transmission vector of - the COVID-19 virus.  As my medical expertise does not extend to virology or epidemiology, I rely on a variety of professional institutions, advice from qualified medical professionals, and the Washington state Department of Health, to make those determinations.  While the Department of Health has yet to order manual therapy clinics to close, there is a significant consensus in the profession and among allied health professions, that at this time it is prudent to cease operations.  It is expected that the Department of Health, which is struggling to cope keeping its recommendations current as the situation rapidly evolves, will adjust its directives to reflect this soon.

If you are suffering pain or injury and seeking advice on what you can do to help while in quarantine, please do not hesitate to reach out to me via e-mail at [email protected], or text me at 202-413-6999 (you can call, but because I'm quarantined with an energetic 2-year-old, I am unlikely to be able to answer or call back immediately).  I am happy to offer advice on specific stretches or self-care you can do at home, or point you to other resources that may be able to help.

Stay well, keep calm, carry on.  Be safe.

The mission of Warrior Massage is one of health and wellness, so I am taking great care to take necessary measures to protect clients' health and help to prevent viral spread.  Rest assured I am staying abreast of CDC & Department of Health/Massage Board recommendations for standards of practice.  Should the time come that the WA Department of Health orders a closure of non-essential healthcare providers, I will follow their recommendation.  Until then, we will be adopting the following protocols to operate as safely as possible:

• We have reviewed and enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols for the office, including treatment room, waiting area, and restroom.  Commonly-touched surfaces (such as doorknobs, counters, railings, armrests, and chairs) will be cleaned and disinfected throughout the day.  Treatment tables are already disinfected, and given new linens, after each patient leaves.
  
• Magazines have been removed from the waiting area for the duration of the pandemic.

There are a few things that you, our clients, can do to help us keep everyone safe:

• Wash your hands thoroughly, and often.  Do so before you come to your appointment, and again when you return home.   In fact, it's a good practice - especially during this pandemic - to do so when going to or returning from anywhere when you need to go out.
  
• Social distancing: we ask that, should you arrive early for your appointment, you wait outside the building or in your vehicle until your appointment time, to reduce the possibility of coming into contact with other patients. 
  
• We ask that you please do not have anyone accompany you to your appointment at this time.  Should it be necessary we ask that you have them wait outside the building or in your vehicle for the duration of your treatment.
• MOST IMPORTANTLY: if you OR anyone you have been in close contact with has been diagnosed with COVID-19 OR is experiencing fever, new onset of coughing and/or difficulty breathing, please reschedule your appointment for a future date after you have fully recovered.  For the duration of the pandemic we will be suspending cancellation fees for anyone experiencing symptoms of illness, or who lives with/cares for someone who is experiencing symptoms.  At your therapist's discretion, if you appear to be symptomatic when arriving for an appointment, you will be asked to return at a later date.
  

Warrior Massage will remain open for business at this time.  If that changes it will be noted in an update here. 

At this point you're probably sick of hearing from every business you've ever visited about what they're doing to keep you safe from disease.  But read on if you're concerned.  As a healthcare provider it should go without saying that we always follow universal precautions and clean/sanitize common surfaces such as doorknobs and countertops.  Under current conditions we have increased the frequency with which we do so.  Also be aware that it is a standard practice for massage therapists to wash our hands before and after every massage, and we are quite well-practiced in thorough hand-washing technique.  Whether or not there is a pandemic going on, our clients' health is always on our minds.

We have provided hand sanitizer at the door for all clients' use, and urge everyone to wash their hands before you go anywhere and when you get back - that includes when you come for your massage.

If you are feeling ill or are concerned that you may be asymptomatic but a carrier of coronavirus, please do not hesitate to cancel your appointment and reschedule to a later date.  There is a link at the bottom of your appointment confirmation emails if you want to do so online, otherwise you can call or text 202-413-6999, or e-mail me at [email protected].

Stay well, keep calm, carry on.