Changes due to COVID-19

I've made a number of changes in order to keep both myself and my clients safe and also to ensure I comply fully with the guidelines provided by my professional bodies (CNHC / CTHA). They are as follows...

The therapy room and downstairs toilet/hand washing facilities will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before every client.

Appointments will be made no less than sixty minutes apart to give me time to air and thoroughly clean the therapy room and to avoid clients encountering one another when arriving or leaving. This does not apply to clients from the same household obviously although I would ask that all clients come to their appointments alone until further notice.

Linens will be washed at a minimum of 60° for the foreseeable future and obviously will be changed before every client. I have never used disposable paper couch rolls and so all linens including couch coverings have always been washed between clients anyway.

I will avoid spending time directly face to face with you wherever possible, this may mean altering some strokes. I will wear a 3 ply type IIR face mask when working directly over your face or throughout your treatment if you wish.

I will thoroughly wash and sanitise my hands, forearms and elbows before every treatment and will ask that clients wash and sanitise their hands on arrival also.

Clients who prefer not to handle cash given the risks are welcome to pay by bank transfer, PayPal or even bitcoin if they're so inclined. I am unable to process credit or debit cards though I'm afraid.

I will check with every client 24 hours in advance that they have no COVID-19 symptoms (high temperature/persistent cough/loss or change of sense of smell or taste) and assure them that I have no symptoms myself. Of course if I develop symptoms I will cancel all appointments and isolate myself in line with government guidance.

In addition to all the usual contraindications to massage I will not be able to see you if:

• I have COVID-19 symptoms.
• You have COVID-19 symptoms.
• You are self-isolating or shielding.
• You are clinically extremely vulnerable and are shielding.

In all cases I will use my professional judgement to decide whether the potential risks outweigh the benefit of treatment, obviously this will differ on a case by case basis.

New clients will be asked to carefully read the new client consultation form which can be found here before attending so that we can cancel the appointment without any face to face contact if any contraindication to massage is identified. You can read more about contraindications on the first timers page.

I've made Test and trace very simple for you to use here at Heybridge Holistics. Simply scan the QR code on the therapy room wall either before or after your treatment to ensure you are contacted should the Test and Trace service determine you need to test/isolate. I am also running the test and trace app myself 24/7 and am having very frequent lateral flow tests to minimise the risk of me infecting you.

Of course I have all of your contact details on your initial client consultation forms anyway and will be sure to contact you directly if Test and Trace tell me I need to.

All of the above is intended to keep me in compliance with the governments' guidelines for "close contact services" which can be found here and this may change at any time, of course I'll update this page as and when it does.

Now that all the new rules are out of the way I can look forward to welcoming new clients as well as my lovely regulars, I know many of you have been in pain with no treatment for some time now and I'm glad to be able to help. I know for my own part I have missed my treatments enormously during the various periods this year and last when I've been unable to get them!