Illness, Covid Risk, Pregnancy, Vaccination, New Meds... When Should I Cancel or Reschedule an Appointment?

If you have booked, and since then something has happened and you are not sure whether you should still attend... this may help. 

I cover cold, flu, Covid and stomach bug symptoms, contact with Covid-19, test results, concern of Medical Provider, Post-Covid conditions, pregnancy, vaccination, and other new medical conditions or medication. 

Holistyx Massage, Aromatherapy, Reflexology in Lancaster: Appointments Available

Appointments are booked via an online calendar and Intake forms. Please email Holistyx@gmail.com to be sent full information. Or use the contact form in the sidebar if you are on a desktop computer. 

I offer Swedish / Holistic Massage, Stone Therapy (Hot and Cold Stone Massage), Aromatherapy Massage, Indian Head Massage, Reflexology, and also Pregnancy and Post-Natal Massage, Aromatherapy and Reflexology.

See also Prices and How to Book

Professional Associations: APNT Dissolved, still a BCMA Member

Unfortunately, the Professional Association I joined in March, the Association of Physical and Natural Therapists, because of their fantastic support for therapists during the pandemic, has been dissolved, as of 31st August 2021. While this was originally with the intention of starting a new organisation with a different structure, such as a Limited Company or Community Interest Company, very sadly for a respected organisation founded in 1986, financial irregularities discovered during this process have lead to a criminal investigation. 

I do however remain a member of the BCMA - the British Complementary Medicine Association, which is a member of the General Council for Soft Tissue Therapies (GCMT),  and a founder member of the Integrated Healthcare Collaborative (IHC), bringing together professional associations and stakeholders within complementary, traditional and natural healthcare​.

(NB as referred to here I have now also left the BCMA since this blog post)

Higher Mask Standard: FFP3

 

I have upgraded from the Type IIR surgical mask I was wearing previously, to a better fitting and higher filtration Cambridge Mask Company 'ventilator' mask. This is also reusable for up to 340 hours, so avoids the plastic pollution involved in single use masking. 

The filter technology is designed by the British Ministry of Defence,  filtering out nearly 100% of all harmful air pollutants, gases, allergens, smog, and pollen; 99.7% of bacteria and 99.6% of all viruses - including Sars-Cov-2, the virus which causes Covid-19. 

The 'FFP3' standard is equivalent to the N99 standard used in the USA, higher than an N95, KN94/5 or a FFP2. 

As this is much better protection for me from aerosol transmission, particularly in combination with clients wearing face coverings as well, I am now able to spend more time on close up work around the neck and shoulders.   

Available Cambridge Mask Company

Phase 4 - What Covid-19 Measures have Changed? What Is Still in Place?

England moved into Phase 4 on 19th July. 

Thank you to all my clients over the last few weeks who I have consulted on possible changes. 😀

I am aware that the vaccination programme has greatly weakened the link between infection and hospitalisation and death and that the government has reduced requirements on that basis. However I am also aware that:
- only 52% of the population is vaccinated
- we have the highest rate of infection in the world
- I have Clinically Vulnerable and Extremely Clinically Vulnerable clients that are very concerned for their risk
- there is no evidence that vaccination reduces the risk of disability from Long Covid

Guidance from the government is here. Further guidance support from my Professional Association, the APNT is on Facebook here and on their website here. 

"While England moves to step 4 of Covid-19 restrictions from 19 July that removes the mandatory wearing of face-coverings and social distancing, therapists are reminded that, as they work in a close contact setting, there is a higher risk of viral transmission. Therefore, the APNT does recommend the continued wearing of face-coverings for all clients and therapists and asks that you seriously consider the continued use of type II masks and eye protection as the alternative to a face-covering, particularly when treating the high-risk zone." - APNT. 

Read on for details of what has changed and what has remained unchanged in my infection control measures. 

Re-Opening

I am now available for appointments from Monday the 12th of April. 

Those on my mailing list have received information on how to book and a link to my online booking service. If you are not on my mailing list, please contact me for booking information.

Here's some links which go through the changes that are in place to keep you and I safe:

Summary of Holistyx Covid-19 Infection Control Measures

Summary of Holistyx Safety Procedures for Clients

Changing Professional Association from FHT to APNT

I will be able to re-open when England goes into Phase 2 of the 'roadmap' out of lockdown. The government has told us that will be at the earliest, from the 12th April. We will hear on Monday 5th whether that has the go ahead, or if it has to be put back. So, watch this space!

 
Meanwhile, as part of preparing to re-open Holistyx... I have changed my Professional Association.

 

Tier 5 / National Lockdown

Holistyx is currently closed.