Therapy by Alice

Covid 19 Update for Massage Professionals

Posted on April 5, 2020     Leave a Comment

https://www.abmp.com/covid-updates

Can I work? Should I work? 
On March 16, 2020, ABMP issued a statement strongly encouraging all massage and bodywork practitioners to suspend practice, as social distancing is not feasible in massage. Renowned pathology expert Ruth Werner also called for a suspension of massage work. Read the full statements. 

Furthermore, many local municipalities and states have issued stay-at-home or shelter-in-place orders that require massage therapists to suspend work. Read more regarding state updates.

If my state issues a stay-at-home or shelter-in-place order, what happens if I continue to work?
Your liability insurance policy is only valid if you are in compliance with your state’s regulations. If you are no longer authorized to work per regional orders, you are likely not in compliance with your state regulations and therefore your insurance would not be valid.

Can I perform massage if I have a home office?
If your profession has been ordered to suspend, it doesn’t matter where you are working. If you continue to work, this could now be considered an illegal act, in which case the insurance would not be valid. These decisions are the responsibility of local and federal authorities, not ABMP. Check here for state updates. 

Is my job as a massage therapist considered “essential”?
ABMP does not determine whether massage is essential or nonessential; that is a decision made by local and federal authorities. Check here for state updates. 
 
Are virtual sessions included in my liability insurance policy?
Your liability insurance policy is valid with virtual sessions under the following circumstances:

• The client must be located in the same state that the practitioner is legally allowed to practice in;
• For new clients, the practitioner must do a full intake form;
• The practitioner must be able to see the client as they are virtually working with her/him;
• The sessions are live and not prerecorded;
• Policy language applies (exclusions, etc.). The practitioner must be within scope of practice.

Does my policy cover me for being out of work (business interruption)?
Your liability insurance policy does not cover business interruption. The “Loss of Earnings” clause in the policy specifically pertains to a member being reimbursed if they are required to take time away from their practice because of a lawsuit against them that is covered under the policy.

Can I apply for unemployment benefits or financial help?
Yes, we believe the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) issued March 27, 2020, allows massage therapists to file for unemployment benefits. Under the CARES Act, unemployment insurance benefits will temporarily be available to “an eligible self-employed individual” . . . “an individual who regularly carries on any trade or business.” It appears that this expanded eligibility applies to individuals who work “part-time,” a government definition that would cover a large proportion of massage therapists, estheticians, hair stylists, and nail professionals. You have to take the initiative to apply for unemployment insurance. 

Learn about unemployment benefits in your states. Be aware that states are working to create the policy and processes for self-employed unemployment as of April 1, 2020. It is expected be online in all states no later than April 10, 2020. Many members are sharing their individual application experiences and information on Facebook at www.facebook.com/abmppage.

Week in Review

Posted on April 4, 2020     Leave a Comment

Here is today’s fun tip for keeping us busy at home and keeping this blog music and massage therapy related.

This week saw a momentary resurgence in my ability to give massages to healthy people. For last week and this week I was able to see one client who lived close and give a couple massages to people with whom I privately contracted. That all ended on Wednesday at midnight when the governor of TX shut down everyone under the statute under which I practice for TDLR and this included hair dressers and massage therapists, barbers, tattoo artist etc. So now, where the establishment was shut down, now we aren’t supposed to do any massages at all period. I get it, you can’t give a massage or cut hair or do a tattoo and maintain a 6-10 foot distance, but we do need to make a living.

Fortunately he allowed us to file for unemployment. And I am still peddling my products that I love. I also drove for Favor one day, delivering groceries and food to people in Gatesville.

I have lost almost 30 pounds since July now and I really think it’s due to the products I use every day and the hormone (Shout out to Hormones by Design in Waco) regimen I have been on. It has helped so much. I discovered as so many do that while Weight Loss Surgery is helpful, it’s just a tool…however, if I hadn’t hit menopause and my Weight Loss goal the same month I think I would have had a better outcome. It’s been nice knowing that all those doctors I told that hormones were a problem were wrong when they told me just to eat less and move more.

Well, I have a busy Saturday ahead (Ok, not really) so I will sign off for now. I hope everyone has a great week.

Latest Body Work Issue

Posted on March 27, 2020     Leave a Comment

I hope you enjoy this issue of Body Sense Magazine. Please remember I am here for your massage and now for your CBD needs. I am beginning to sell CBD for an awesome company. Drop a comment for more info.

Flash Sale!

Posted on March 24, 2020     Leave a Comment

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I have samples available for sale right now! I can accept Paypal, venmo and cash app. Sample packs start at $15 and can be personalized to your needs. This price includes shipping and tax.

Also right now is the best time to join as a distributor. They just announced 50% OFF to starter kits! That means it’s only $49 instead of the $99!!! I wanted to offer you this because I think you’d be really great at this! If anyone has ever considered starting their own business now is a great time. This is a great opportunity to receive extra product that you can sell or use yourself and have the ability to buy products without committing to a three month auto ship. You can even decide to make some money with It Works if you want! Contact me for me info or drop a comment below and I will follow up with you.

A Little Live Music

Posted on March 23, 2020     Leave a Comment

Sunday

Posted on March 22, 2020     Leave a Comment

I don’t have any music today. I have been making my own Ginger Beer and crocheting. So far I have resisted baking brownies though as the days go by I’m not sure my self control will hold out. I am working on doing some self improvement and self discovery. I will never have time like this again I’m sure (at least I sure hope not)

I’m listening to this webinar by Music Therapist Tim Ringgold. I find myself wishing I had had the vision to have somewhere else to go with my career. I feel kind of stuck today and feeling like what I do doesn’t really matter. I feel like I’m not going to be who I want to be. I worry that I am not creative enough or Innovative enough. And of course, in this environment I worry about being broke. I have committed to having a massage place with another therapist. I am trying so hard to have faith and carry on. I know that the place is a great opportunity. I made a commitment to someone else and I don’t want to let her down.

Tim Ringgold has shared his insight about stress and how to overcome change lag. His system is called Vero. He is also the first music therapist who did a Ted Talk.

The webinar I’m listening to is below…If I am not supposed to post it, I’m sure someone will tell me.

https://event.webinarjam.com/go/replay/1/y8476uqtlt9tr

I wish I had chosen a more lucrative career. I find myself wondering how I got here and how I can move forward. I wish I knew what the steps to move forward were.

Today We Talk About Stress

Posted on March 20, 2020     Leave a Comment

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Today I have made a few word art pictures (I didn’t make the first one, I found it which gave me the idea) I plugged in all the words that came to mind and then played with the shapes etc. It was a fun exercise and made some pretty artwork and made me feel better.

Below is my playlist for today. I started with different songs, but as I went through the music of my favorite band, I realized that most of the music I listen to that’s fun and not Christian these were the songs I really like. They are in no special order. These are just songs that have words I like and a couple that are fun and make you dance and tap your toes. How do you deal with stress? What are ways you are keeping yourself calm in these stressful times? What are your favorite songs for destressing? Please drop these in the comment section below.

Today with all the stress and now with California basically shutting down we have to keep our spirits up. For me music does a lot of that. If I listen to music then I limit my time listening to news and depressing virus news. If I listen to music I won’t be worrying about how I’m going to make money for the next two months or if my NATRC ride will even happen. My anxiety does tend to get the better of me, especially at night when I should be asleep. I find that my heart is beating almost 100 per minute and this is not a great feeling.

Friends tell me to trust in God. It’s not that I am not trusting in God. I completely trust God and I know where I am going when it’s time to leave this earth. I have asthma, and whenever I get any kind of upper respiratory bug I am sick for a long time. I am one of the high risk people…So I’m not real enthused about the possibility of getting it.

On to the songs…Carbon Leaf is a band more people should know about. The usually come to Texas in September and Maggie and I try to listen to them every year we can. The first year we were supposed to see them is Ironic though b/c we should have seen them in person in the fall of 2009. We were heading to a NATRC ride the next day and Peter had had the Swine flu…we were tired and trying to stay away from him so we wouldn’t get sick. So, we didn’t go…Ironically I got sick with the flu two days later so I guess it’s good I didn’t expose all those people.

Let your troubles roll by…it’s an easy going song that just goes well with the troubles we are having now. It basically says let it roll by and it’s the best way to live. What about Everything? is one of my favorites. Again it talks about all the big problems in the world and how we should let it affect us…the last chorus says “what about when buildings fall, what about that midnight phone call” which are the two things no one wants to think about. I’m pretty sure the line about the buildings must have been 9-11. comfort has a line in it that Maggie and I both love…It says “the more you live the less you will die” which is a good reminder in today’s times. Who brings you comfort? The Donnybrook affair and gone are just fun fun songs. Life Less Ordinary…it’s the first song they were known for and sometimes you will hear it playing at the super market.

As always remember that Adagio Massage and Music Therapy is here to support you with services in the times of no contact. I have a doxy.me room and can meet you there to work on music goals or music therapy goals. I do basic instruction in flute piano or even the banjo (though admittedly I will do well to get you through your first basic chords) I also am available for birth music consultation and for bereavement work.

In this time of no contact I’m doing everything I can to keep the doors open and my business going.