Spring Updates
Originally published on March 31st, 2024
Happy spring!
I hope you’re doing well!!
I have a lot to say here today so bear with me. ;)
I have some interesting news that I have been meaning to share with you but I wasn't sure how to say it.
No, I am not retiring or dying but I feel I should fill you in on some struggles I've been having and how this may affect your next massage.
During the week of February 19th, 2024 I spent a couple days at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota where they performed tests to try to get to the bottom of some health problems that I've been experiencing now for about a year and a half. These include facial paralysis, troubles swallowing and chewing and muscle weakness in the arms and hands.
While every blood test has come back normal and suggests that I am perfectly healthy, one test provided the doctors at Mayo with enough information to conclude that my muscles have been breaking down or deteriorating.
Unfortunately, this is all the information that I have.
We are currently waiting on results from genetic testing to see if they can find some answers that blood work has been unable to give them.
So how does this affect your scheduled massages?
I've been pretty fortunate to still remain working but there are a few things that have been a struggle that you should know about.
I’ve been struggling to “dig in” with my thumbs so working on the hands and feet and digging into the shoulders have been a struggle but I have been experimenting with different tools and techniques to try to get around this.
I cough occasionally during massages. It's kind of hard to explain without sounding gross lol but I sometimes feel that “wrong tube” feeling and just need to cough once or twice to clear my throat or lungs. So if I need to cough quick I will make sure to step away from you and never cough in your direction and never cough into my hands or forearms.
I've been struggling to keep my hands warm. I've been using hot stones during massages to try to get my hands to warm up and stay warm and that's been helping but I still find that they're not as warm as they used to be. Hopefully with summer around the corner, this won’t be an issue for long. :)
Again, I'm super grateful that I can still work and that this has not affected me more. I'm still able to leverage my body weight and dig in with forearms and elbows like I used to but I want all of my clients to know that if you ever start to feel like I am not delivering the amount of pressure and torture that you are seeking, that there will be absolutely no hard feelings if you need to go elsewhere. I will try my best and continue to serve you for as long as my body allows. 🙂
There are still a lot of questions that need to be answered and I honestly have no idea what my future holds but right now I just wanted to let everyone know that I’m not throwing in the towel just yet and if you've noticed my lack of strength, it's not because I'm lazy
I really appreciate all of your continued support and love! Thank you for being such awesome clients! And please don't let this bum you out! I have been doing what the physical therapists and occupational therapists have told me to do and it's been helping. I’ve actually made some improvements in my strength.
PRICING & CANCELLATION POLICY
Beginning May 1st, 2024 PRICING will be as follows:
30 Minute Massage - $50
45 Minute Massage - $65
30 Minute Reflexology - $50
60 Minute Massage - $85
60 Minute Reflexology - No longer offering
60 Minute Dry Brush - $100
75 Minute Massage - $95
90 Minute Massage - $110
90 Minute Dry Brush - $125
Chair Massage - No longer offering
Salt Glow - No longer offering
Hot Stone add on - $10
Cupping and Prenatal - No extra charge (squeezing cups during application is a struggle sometimes but can still be useful)
Gift Certificates specifically for massage services with an expiration date of April 30th, 2025 or before will be honored at old prices. This excludes Gift Certificates with a dollar amount.
Cancellation Policy: Beginning April 1st, 2024
Please give at least 24 hours notice when cancelling or rescheduling massage appointments. Failure to do so will result in a charge of 100% of the appointment price and will be collected at the next appointment.
I understand that sh** happens so there can be exceptions to this policy. If you suddenly don’t feel well or have a serious emergency, I get it. If we’re told that we’ll be getting 3 feet of snow and you wanna wait to see if it actually happens, i’m totally cool with that. If you think that you may not make an appointment but it’s not a for sure thing yet, message me, usually i’m okay with waiting and I can at least look through my cancellation list and have a handful of people ready to message when the time comes.
I personally hate cancellation policies but I also dislike giant gaps in my day or a loss of planned income. It’s usually pretty easy to fill a spot but it’s not guaranteed and it can be quite a gamble. I try to message the clients that I think can fill it but last minute cancellations are much harder to fill.
I hope that makes sense and that it’s not taken personally. Unfortunately, I only make money when i’m giving a massage. Last minute cancellations and no shows result in money lost and unnecessary time away from family. <3
To cancel an appointment, you can always call the salon directly at: 319-334-3217
Or you can text me anytime (for real, I don’t care, day or night) at: 319-483-8089
I hope you had an awesome Easter!! Sunny, warm days are right around the corner!! :)
Thanks for reading!
Whitney Owen, LMT, CHC
