Updated Office Policies and Procedures in Response to the Coronavirus Outbreak.
To My Valued Patients, We are all navigating uncharted territory right now and the situation remains fluid, requiring us to be flexible in our response to the Coronavirus outbreak. I wanted to let you know what I am doing in response to the outbreak so you can feel confident receiving acupuncture treatment. The most important things to practice are good hygiene, physical distancing and other healthy practices. Many of you are being asked to work from home. Please be assured that coming in for your acupuncture will be a healthy option still. Here's a list of the things I'm doing to ensure a safe environment for you:
Starting the week of March 23rd through April 4 I will be seeing patients only on Thursdays. I am the only practitioner in the office that day so this is the best way to practice physical distancing. I, and my patients, will be the only person in the public areas, my treatment room and the parking lot.
I will be having office hours from 8:30 am to 7:30 pm on Thursday during that period. I will also be available on Saturdays if you need an appointment other than on Thursday. If you've already got an appointment scheduled on a different day I will contact you to reschedule. After April 4 I will re-evaluate the current outbreak situation and let you know what my hours will be going forward.
As usual I will practice the highly stringent Clean Needle Technique and OSHA standards required of all licensed acupuncturists. There has been no transmission of any disease by any licensed acupuncturist from acupuncture for as long as I've been in practice mainly due to these practices. You should be aware that many Physical Therapists who practice Dry Needling do not seem to be required to practice the stringent practices that I am required to do. I would like to recommend that if you see a PT for Dry Needling that you ask that they wash their hands between each patient (not just use hand sanitizer), swab each point with alcohol and not to needle through clothing (wear something easy for them to access the points they will be doing to help them out.)
After each patient treatment I will sanitize all hard surfaces in my treatment room, I will sanitize both downstairs and upstairs door handles, banister, sink, toilet and other hard surfaces that may be touched by patients.
I will run my HEPA filter during each appointment.
As usual I will change the linens after each patients. Paper sheets can be an addition to linens but unfortunately are very bad for the environment and can be awkward to use. However if you want me to use one on top of the clean sheets let me know and I'm happy to use one.
I am waiving my cancellation fee for cancellations within 24 hours. If you feel it's best for you to stay home instead please do so. If you can cancel six hours in advance that would be much appreciated and please do not be a no show.
I will be offering video appointments. I have a lot of valuable at home treatments you can do to both boost your immune system and to treat any symptoms you may have, and I'd love to share them. Email me to let me know if you'd like to set one up.
In addition I am monitoring my health as well. I am taking my temperature twice a day and taking lots of great immune boosting supplements and herbal formulas. I'm using moxa on all the immune boosting acupoints too! Washing my hands, of course, and following all the other guidelines for good hygiene.
Here's what you can do:
When you come upstairs for your appointment please do go and wash your hands. If I'm not available immediately you can go into the waiting area and either sit or stand, whatever you're comfortable with.
Please do monitor you own health. Take your temperature in the morning. If you have any cold/flu symptoms or an elevated temperature cancel your appointment with me and call your Primary Care Provider. If you need guidance to know if you should seek medical help Click Here to see a risk screening questionnaire that Google created for California. Again please feel comfortable cancelling your appointment if need be.
A couple tips we can all use personally:
Do your best not to live in fear or anxiety about the situation. Be wise and discerning about your lifestyle practices and choices, and trust you are doing what you can to keep yourself and your family safe.
Fresh air is vital to healthy immunity - make a point of getting outside daily. Even as little as 10 to 15 minutes three times throughout the day will benefit you.
Rest! Get plenty of sleep and rest. This will boost your immune system!
Increase your consumption or anti-oxidant and nutrient-dense infection-fighting foods like: organic blueberries, raspberries, spinach, sprouts, garlic, onions, ginger, parsley, cilantro, spirulina, celery juice, bone broth and fermented foods and beverages.
Drink lots of water and herbal teas.
Keep your immune system strong by reducing your sugar intake and eating a balanced diet.
What we can do for our community:
Remember that our small, local businesses will really be struggling to manage with this sudden decrease in business. Support our local small businesses like our massage therapist, nail person, hairdresser, our small local farmers and restaurants, all people like me - While business decreases the expenses stay the same and there is no sick pay, holiday pay or family leave pay. Consider buying a gift certificate now from them to use later or to gift from these local businesses. Here's some local businesses I really like where you can order online and pick up: Four Bellies Farm sells organic bone broth as well as pasture raised beef, chicken and rabbit. Cradleboard Creations is an apothecary where I get my Elderberry syrup and other immune boosting tinctures from. I love Crager Hager Farm for all my fresh and organic greens for nutrient rich super foods. Please be Well, Leigh
