Covid-19 update

There was a possibility that I would be returning to my massage practice at the 919 Clinic in July, but the latest government update on businesses allowed to reopen does not include massage therapists. This is understandable as it is a close contact treatment. My professional association is asking for more clarity on when we are likely to be able to return to practice. If you were hoping for a treatment, I am so sorry that you will have to wait longer but it is with the aim of keeping you safe. John is available for physiotherapy treatment if you are in pain.

Meanwhile I am making plans for when I do return to practice. I will be putting away everything that is not required for the treatment, so the room will seem much barer - indeed, more clinical! I am replacing my usual bolsters and headrest with vinyl covered ones that I can clean thoroughly between appointments, and I have bought disposable face coverings so I can supply one to clients who do not bring their own (although I would encourage clients to do this). The photo above shows two of the new bolsters, a pack of disposable face masks, some hand sanitiser I am trying out (I already use hand sanitiser in between clients in addition to hand washing but as I will now be applying it far more frequently I want to make sure I get on with a brand before buying in bulk) - and a wobble cushion! This last item is an excellent way to engage the nervous system and wake up the muscles to improve adaptability and balance, and I can clean it in between clients.

I will post again with all the provisions I will be making for client safety once I have a date to return to practice. At present, guidance includes alongside other recommendations: 

• required questions asked to check the client's health and risk of exposure to Covid-19 on making the appointment and again on day of appointment; this will determine if the treatment can go ahead. 
•  asking the client to wait outside the Clinic, for instance in their car, until it is the correct time for their appointment.
• meeting the client outside the Clinic to sanitise their hands and ensure they are wearing a face covering (which will be kept on the whole time they are in the Clinic).
• providing a plastic box for the client's possessions including clothes; the box will be sanitised after they have collected them.
•  cleaning all surfaces in communal areas and the treatment room before and after the treatment.
• stripping and sanitising the couch after each treatment and placing couch cover and towels in a bag that will then be kept closed until they are washed.
• airing the room for fifteen minutes after each treatment.
• ensuring that there is only one client at a time in shared Clinic spaces such as reception.
• payment should be contactless.
• cleaning my own hands before and after treatments and after cleaning the room.
• I am to wear a face covering at all times. (Update 03/06/2020: latest guidance suggests that a visor will be required).

Some of these precautions you will be pleased to read that I was doing already, for instance the hand washing. Some are very new and will take getting used to, for instance the face covering, but I am sure this will seem routine very quickly. 

Aches and pains from desk work? A run through of postural tips and simple exercises (video)

When you are working from home and can't get a massage, self care becomes even more important.
The video begins with some postural tips, then goes through some exercises that may be helpful. I have covered all the exercises in separate videos on my blog but thought it would be useful to put them all together for you as an overview for desk related aches and pains. Please note that due to Covid-19 lockdown the video was made in my home rather than the Clinic.


video link for desk related aches and pains tips

The exercises include: thigh slides, spinal elasticiser, breathing, full body rotation and forward bend plus a bit about the feet. Hope it's helpful! 

Rolling the pelvis to relax the back (video)

Modern life can result in tension building up in the back and reducing mobility in both the spine and pelvis. This can affect ease of movement in many ways, and the sacral rock and pelvic clock exercise is a gentle and relaxing way to address it. The aim is to make the movement as smooth and slow as possible, exploring the subtleties that are lost through tension or forceful movement. This is a great exercise to do several times a week, especially if you have been sitting down a great deal.

If you feel you wish to take the movement further the video shows how to move into a bridge that engages all the spine as you bring your hips up and then lower them down again. As you do this, check that your back is staying relaxed and maintain a firm, even contact between your feet and the ground.

Please note that due to Covid-19 lockdown the video was made in my home rather than the Clinic.

Lifting the knees without overusing that back (video)

This video explores being able to move your legs independently of your trunk whilst still keeping a connection. So often when people lift their knees up they collapse the back forward or tilt to one side; this loses the power we get from the gluteal muscles and affects a huge range of activities from running and climbing through to hill walking and going up stairs. 

Please note that due to Covid-19 lockdown the video was made in my home rather than the Clinic.

knee raise video link

919 Clinic update

First of all, physiotherapists are now allowed to practice so John is available for appointments. If you go to the 919 Clinic website you can find out more information about this on the Covid Form link, including the new safety and hygiene protocol https://www.919clinic.co.uk/. He is encouraging people to opt for Zoom consultations where possible to minimise risk, but will see you for an in-person treatment if it is essential and you are not needing to self isolate. 

As you would expect with the current risk of Covid-19 transmission, massage therapists are not allowed to practice at present. The earliest provisional date for return to work we have been given is July, but it may well end up being later. I am acting on advice from my professional body which in turn is following guidance from the government, and am looking at the PPE that I will need to have in place before I resume practice. I will not return to practice until given the go ahead by my professional body. I want to keep you safe. 

I know that many people are really missing their treatments, and indeed I am missing the regular massage that I received prior to lockdown. As well as the exercise videos I have been posting to help keep you mobilised, I will be putting up some simple and safe self treatment videos. John also demonstrates useful exercises and stretches on the 919 Clinic website.
https://www.919clinic.co.uk/exercises

I hope you are all managing to stay safe and well during this difficult time. As ever, if you need someone to talk in confidence, as you would during a massage treatment, do feel that you can contact me; I am here to listen.