Posts by Lauren M. Christman, LMT, CBSI/KMI, CCST
Update: Getting back to Work — screening clients
Once we have confirmed that people’s need is critical enough to come in for a massage (earlier post), and we’ve created a clean-as-possible clinical environment (next posts), we can further check their health to make sure it’s safe to continue. We are checking that the client is healthy on the day of the session —…
Read MoreUpdate: Relating COVID 4-phase approach to manual practice
Last week, Governor Inslee announced a 4-phase approach to re-opening our state in the face of COVID-19 risks. These phases represent a graduated way of balancing relative risk of exposure/transmission with genuine benefits of being back at work (financial, services provided, mental well being, etc.). I like this graduated approach; that seems realistic given the…
Read More4 phase strategy echoes managing my auto immune diet
The current 4-phase plan to reopen from COVID-19 sheltering in place makes a lot of sense to me. It sounds familiar. Since February, I’ve been struck by COVID’s onset socially echoes my experience with earlier health challenges. On an individual level specifically, it reminds me how I navigate dietary restrictions on inflammatory foods. The moment…
Read More‘Holding Space’ at Taliesin, the home of Frank Lloyd Wright
Last fall, we visited Taliesin, Frank Lloyd Wright’s home in Wisconsin. It was a thing to do during a family visit, something I hadn’t expected or known much about. I had heard of Wright, of course, but didn’t know much about his way of working. The ways humans shape their spaces is something that I’ve…
Read More“Gathering Moss” guides me into quiet observation of nature
Looking for some solace and expansion during this ‘at home time,’ I’ve been reading Gathering Moss, by Robin Wall Kimmerer, a Environmental and Forest Biology professor and member of the Potawatomi tribe. (Gathering Moss, University of Oregon Press, 2003) You may have heard of her other book–which is fabulous, BTW– Braiding Sweetgrass. In both books,…
Read MoreGetting back to work during COVID-19, Part 3: Taking care of ourselves
Earlier this month, I described my fingers as lonely. It’s been so strange to not touch people — in greeting or departing, just passing by casually, and of course, with our work. I know I’m not alone in this. We massage practitioners like touching people so much, believe in the power of touching people. We’ve…
Read MoreGetting back to work during COVID-19, Part 2: Practical Considerations
On April 6th, the WA State Board of Health gave us guidance about how to work with clients while the COVID-19 public health isolation protocols are in effect. Some of us have shut down our practices completely, some of us are seeing a few clients. One thing is for sure: when we begin practicing again…
Read MoreGetting back to Work during COVID-19, Part 1: Essential or Non-essential?
This is a 3-part post covering topics relating to re-opening our bodywork practice. Thanks to Cinny Burrell for prompting me to write this! Essential but not Emergent: Over the past month, I’ve been thinking a lot about this designation “essential” or “non-essential” as it has been handed down through our public health system. I understand…
Read MoreWash Your Hands: one of my favorite COVID-19 era poems
Wash Your Hands We are humans relearning to wash our hands. Washing our hands is an act of love Washing our hands is an act of care Washing our hands is an act that puts the hyper-vigilant body at ease Washing our hands helps us return to ourselves by washing away what does not serve.…
Read MoreOptions for post-concussion home care, when you can’t come for a session
In this time when we aren’t able to practice with clients in person, I’ve had the opportunity to work with a few people on Zoom. This was not something I ever thought I’d do. I’ve been surprised and intrigued about the kinds of changes these clients have experienced. (Something I’ll be pondering and exploring for…
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