COVID 19 Updates
We are open to serve you!
Updated September 2nd, 2021
The CDC currently recommends those who are able, whether vaccinated or not, where a mask in public indoor areas in locations of substantial or high transmission.
We respect the medical needs and rights of all our clients.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
We are honored to be an important piece of your care for pain relief and other health needs, both seen and unseen. The question we continually navigate in this season is how best to apply “first do no harm” in our holistic health practice.
We acknowledge your unique circumstances during this challenging season. We are here for you, whether for massage and bodywork, non-touch complementary therapies or education, wellness consultations and coaching (available in person or online.)
Our top priority at Soteria Wellness, remains as always, to enhance optimal health throughout the lifespan and to empower individuals and families with tools for natural wellness. What does that look like currently in the shifting landscape of COVID-19?
Massage Therapy & Bodywork Essential Health Services.
According to the WI “Safer at Home” mandate issued in March 2020, massage therapy and other allied health professionals and ancillary health services are included as essential health care. Because so much was unknown initially about what reasonable safety precautions might look like within the touch-dependent realm of massage and bodywork, and to do our part to help “flatten the curve” and prevent the possible overload of our crucial medical systems, we knew the best thing to do for our clients and community was to close temporarily.
It is no small task keeping track of the ever-changing guidelines, rules, and suggestions from a variety of sources that influence our practice decisions. While we acknowledge there are still unknowns, we have learned enough that allow us to feel comfortable with our decision to reopen Soteria Wellness to our clients who need the essential health care services that we uniquely provide. Ancillary health services are understood by Soteria and our legal counsel to encompass all complementary and adjunct therapies offered in addition to massage and bodywork as needed for your health.
So what does that mean for me?
In addition to our normal excellence in cleaning and sanitation practices, we have implemented some changes to remain open as safely as possible. For the most up to date information on Covid-19 from the WI Department of Health Services, visit this page.
What we are asking from you:
Reschedule your appointment if you or a close household member are sick with or have recently had any kind of fever, respiratory issues (sneezing, coughing, shortness of breath), new loss of taste or smell, acute diarrhea, or flu symptoms (chills/shaking, new unexplained general muscle aches/weakness and/or unusual fatigue), until at least three days after they have ended without symptom-suppressing medications. Call your doctor or local health department if you suspect you may have Covid-19.
Reschedule your appointment if within the previous 14 days you have had close contact with someone known or suspected to have Covid-19 or have been notified by your health department to quarantine due to possible exposure.
Reschedule your appointment if you have received a Covid-19 vaccine injection within the previous 48 hours or are experiencing any side effects from the vaccine. Note that in rare cases, side effects may occur several weeks post-vaccination.
Let your practitioner know if you have had Covid-19 or been vaccinated within the past month. Depending on the service you selected, we may need to adjust our pressure, or have you select a different service for your health and safety.
Continue to respect our 24-hour cancellation policy. You may cancel online up to 24 hours in advance of your appointment. If you become ill the day of your appointment, please call as soon as possible and we will help you reschedule without penalty.
Do not schedule or keep your scheduled appointment time if you are concerned about your own personal health risks at this time. We encourage you now, as with all health matters, to do your research, weigh the known and potential risks and benefits of your options, then make the decisions that are best for you. Your safety, peace of mind, and autonomy matter to us.
We invite you to wear a mask in the clinic as you prefer for your health and well-being. The CDC recommends unvaccinated people continue to wear masks indoors in public. We honor the medical needs and rights of all our clients.
New clients or those who have not updated paperwork in the past year, please print and complete paperwork available online or arrive 15 minutes before your appointment time. Current clients with updated paperwork on file may arrive 5-10 minutes before your appointment time.
When you arrive please wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water once inside our suite. Our assistant or a practitioner will direct you to your treatment room when it is sanitized and ready.
Please give others physical space except when in your session. (We know that’s a tough one for the huggers out there—we love and miss them too!)
To minimize two-way traffic and gathering in the front lobby area during busy times, you may be asked to wait in or exit through the classroom.
If a driver/caregiver is accompanying you, they may wait in the office or car as is most comfortable. Please let us know ahead of time if someone is accompanying you and will need a place to wait.
If possible, please bring only the child who has a scheduled appointment to pediatric sessions.
Online scheduling is available. If you are in a higher risk group and would like an early session, please let us know.
Steps we are taking:
Providing water, electrolytes, or tea to our clients as needed rather than self-serve to maintain optimal hygiene.
Staff will wear masks or other face coverings during client interactions that bring us within six feet for more than a few minutes. If you prefer for us not to wear a mask to provide comfort when working with your young child or to assist communication, please let us know.
Increased cleaning and sanitizing of high-touch surfaces as recommended by the CDC enhanced with UV Light cleaning on some surfaces.
Covering the Vibroacoustic mat and the upholstered chairs in the BEMER/AmpCoil room with fresh sheets for each client and pillowcases to cover attachments. Massage table linens and sauna towels continue to be changed between each guest as always.
Lengthening our work days to allow more time between sessions for cleaning of surfaces and treating room air and to give our therapists a moment to refresh, breathe freely and rejuvenate so they remain healthy and focused to serve you.
Continuing HEPA air purification enhanced with UV Light throughout the day and ozone cleaning at night in the treatment rooms. Air quality is very important to us!
Diffusing Certified Pure Tested Grade essential oils to support health and wellness, reduce stress, and promote a clean environment.
Limiting the number of clients in the suite at any given time to minimize close contact with others when you are not in your session.
Continuing online education options and EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) coaching sessions as well as individual and small group in person options as summer approaches.
Rescheduling appointments if any staff who would be involved in your care are feeling unwell and we cannot arrange an alternate provider.
Our store is open again! Please respect physical distance guidelines with other clients. If preferred, we are happy to gather any items you need from the store for curbside pick-up or to send home after appointments. Gift cards are available in person or by phone/mail.
These guidelines may change as recommendations continue to evolve.
Thank you for your flexibility. We look forward to seeing you when the time feels right and comfortable for YOU.
Remember with all this talk about preventing infection from a microbe, that the condition of the host is at least as important to our health! With this in mind, there’s no better time to eat and live well!
Focus on whole, nutrient-dense foods like vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds.
Minimize sugar, processed foods and alcohol consumption.
Drink plenty of clean filtered water. (If you aren’t a fan, try structuring it in our Golden Ratio glassware and adding a squeeze of fresh citrus fruit, let it infuse with organic cucumber slices or berries, or a drop of your favorite food-safe essential oil.)
Keep up your healthy daily routine with your favorite supportive immune supporting bio-available supplements and essential oils.
Minimize exposure to toxins in your body and in your environment that disrupt your bioterrain including harsh chemical cleaning and personal care products used indoors and outside, herbicides and pesticides, negativity and other toxic stress
Get fresh air and sunshine when you can, connect with nature, get your feet in the grass and ground.
Move your body.
Prioritize sleep, rest and stress reduction! They are foundational to good health. We can help!
Stress, fear and anger suppress the immune system. Learn Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) to release and neutralize emotions that hinder your health.
Try to find something to laugh about each day.
Acknowledge the challenges. Reach out and talk with someone who cares.. You are not alone.
Practice gratitude and finding the good even in hard times.
Make time to journal, create, read, pray or meditate, soak in a tub—whatever nurtures you during this challenging time.
Don’t let physical distancing measures become true social distance—we NEED community and connection now more than ever to be whole.
We will continue to update this page periodically, so please check back regularly and get in touch with us if you have any questions!
“I am so thankful that I came across Soteria Wellness and finding Debra. I booked a 90 min Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork Integration for my birthday. The 90 mins was truly a full 90 mins. I had such an amazing experience from beginning to end. The essential oils used were perfect along with the music in the background all set the mood for everything I needed to relax, being I do suffer from anxiety. I had a lot of stress also and was having a hard time with having an appetite that day, Debra was able to work out all the stress and anxiety in my one 90 min session that has taken others more than one session to even begin to relax my muscles and take away the anxiety and stress. When the 90 mins were up, I felt like a completely different person. I was hungry! My headache was gone and my lower back was relaxed. The session was so incredible I had to book another appointment before I left. Soteria and Debra have taken all necessary precautions and have followed all safety guidelines to reopen safely and are extremely COVID-19 ready.”