New Protocols for COVID-19

I was forced to close my massage practice at the end of March due to the coronavirus pandemic and have been working hard on new protocols to enable me to reopen my practice. Unfortunately, there is no way to remove all risk, so please consider carefully whether the benefits of receiving a massage outweigh the risks.

I will be reopening my practice on June 1, 2020 with additional precautions to maintain a safe environment for my clients. As always, do not schedule or come in for a massage if you have any COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, shortness of breath, sudden changes in taste or smell). I recommend downloading the Healthy Together app to check your symptoms, access a test if needed, and help Utah track the virus and notify you of potential exposure. Also, if you or anyone in your household has had symptoms or traveled in the past 14 days, please wait to schedule until quarantine time has passed. Individuals without an appointment are asked to either stay home or wait in the car.

When you come in for your appointment, please wear a face covering. Hand sanitizer will be provided as you enter the treatment room. I will be maintaining a log of all appointments and checking your symptoms before the session begins. This includes a temperature check with a touchless infrared thermometer. The purpose of the log is to assist with contact tracing efforts.

Face coverings are required to be worn throughout the massage session (yes, I will be wearing one too). A cotton cloth will be draped over the facerest to allow you to breathe easy while still providing the barrier needed during face down time. I am not able to provide any service that requires removal of the face covering so any facial massage will be limited. Inability to wear a face covering is considered a contraindication for massage at this time.

For now, my typical use of hot stones in every session will be on hold. I will be offering full hot stone massages (limited to one customer per day). The time it takes to heat the stones, then properly clean and disinfect them after each client necessitates this. Also, I will be scheduling extra time between sessions to allow for proper cleaning and sanitizing of the massage room. Contactless forms of payment, like Venmo or PayPal, are encouraged, but not required.

I appreciate your patience and understanding as we take these small steps towards getting back to normal here in Utah. This has been a trying ordeal for all of us, and I know you’re as excited to get a massage again as I am to be back to work. Please, continue to follow the guidelines issued by the Utah Department of Health so we can all keep each other healthy and safe. 

Price Adjustment

I have not changed my rates in over 10 years, but my business expenses and the cost of living has slowly risen as time has passed. Making a modest adjustment to my prices has been long overdue, and with the extra costs of cleaning supplies and other safety precautions, I have made the decision to change my base rate from $60 to $70 for one hour. Additional time will stay at $50/hr so the rate increase will not multiply with longer sessions. You’ll pay $95 for 90 minutes and $120 for 2 hours. A full list of services and prices is available on my website. Thank you all so much for your support, and I look forward to getting you back on my table very soon!   

~* Holiday Sale 2016 *~

Pamper someone you love with the gift of massage! It's time again for the annual Massage by Jenni Holiday Sale! Visit massagebyjenni.com starting Saturday November 26th at 9AM MST to purchase your discounted gift certificates. There will be a limited quantity of 30% off gift certificates that will likely sell out so don't procrastinate. One order per customer.

Also, look for unlimited quantities of 15% off gift certificates as well as discounted Gift Certificate Packages available until midnight on December 24th. Order as many as you like while the sale lasts!

As usual, Holiday Gift Certificates are valid starting December 26th through June 30th, 2017. Expired certificates are accepted at face value (you must pay the difference) at the time of service. 10-packs are valid for 12 months. Please read the Holiday Sale Guidelines for 2016 before purchasing.

Thank you, and Happy Holidays, everyone!

~Jenni Curtis, LMT
801*879*4173
massagebyjenni.com

5 Things to Do After Your Massage

Your massage is over, but we're not done! What you do afterwards can make all the difference. These 5 tips can really maximize the effects of your massage.

1. Drink plenty of water. A massage increases the cirulation, moving blood around the body and pushing it in and out of the muscles. That's a good thing! That blood brings oxygen and nutrients to cells and muscles, but it also carries away toxins that may have been building up in the body. Especially if you've had a deep massage, toxins that may have been trapped in the muscles were likely released. Drinking water after a massage will help the body to eliminate toxins and recover.
2. Take it easy. There is a normal recovery period after a massage. You will likely feel a bit tired and lethargic for the rest of the day. Go with it! Your body needs that time to rejuvenate. Avoid strenuous exercise or stressful activities until you're feeling back to normal. Relax, put your feet up, and pamper yourself a bit. Mild exercise can be fine, but listen to your body. If you feel like taking a nap, do it!
3. Stretch your body. With your muscles all loosened up, this is a great time for some gentle stretching to encourage that release. Focus on any areas the therapist spent extra time on or that may still feel tight or even a little bit sore from the massage. Get into a routine! A regular stretching regimen is a good thing. You're likely to have problem areas that tend to regularly tighten up on you. Stretching can keep things from becoming a problem down the road. If you're unsure, ask your therapist to recommend stretches for you. 
4. Keep Moving. Being active is a great way to maintain a healthy state of well-being. Many of us have sedentary "desk jobs" that add to the stress on our bodies. Set an alarm to remind you to get up and move around or stretch throughout the day. Exercise regularly to keep the cardiovascular system healthy and muscles strong. Weak muscles and lack of blood flow can add to the dysfunction of painful problem areas. Our bodies are made to be mobile. You'll feel a lot better if you keep it in action!
5. Self massage. Most of us need more massage than we get. You can maintain the positive effects of massage by keeping it going in between sessions. There are a variety of tools out there that will help you do that. The cheapest tool you can use is a tennis ball. Using your body weight, you can apply pressure to knots and tight areas without too much intensity. A foam roller is also a great tool for rolling out the larger muscles of your legs, glutes, and back. My favorite tool is the Thera Cane. I love it because I don't have to find floor space to use it. I can use it while watching TV to find sore and tight spots, and I can get a surprising amount of pressure into them! 

~Jenni Curtis, LMT

801*879*4173

massagebyjenni.com

Holiday Sale 2015 ~ Massage Gift Certificates

If you're looking to spend some of your Christmas dollars locally during Small Business Saturday, be sure to visit massagebyjenni.com at 9:00 AM MST this coming Saturday November 28th for the start of my annual Holiday Sale on massage gift certificates! Limited quantities of 40% off and 25% off gift certificates will be available and they will sell out, so shop early! One order per customer.

You'll also find unlimited quantities of 10% off and Gift Certificate Packages available until December 24th at midnight. Feel free to order as many of these as often as you like through the end of the sale.

Please note that all Holiday Gift Certificates will be valid starting December 26th through June 30th 2016. Expired certificates will be accepted at face value. 10-packs are valid for 12 months. Read the Holiday Sale Guidelines for all the details before you shop.

Happy Holidays!

~Jenni Curtis, LMT

801*879*4173

massagebyjenni.com

5 Things to Do During Your Massage Session

Once you’re in the massage room, there are a few things to keep in mind that can really enhance the experience. Follow these 5 tips to make your massage the best it can be.

1. Tell the therapist what your needs are before the session begins. Your massage therapist wants to know as much as possible to make sure you get what you need out of your massage session. Tell them about any injuries or problem areas. Make requests for areas of focus and any preferred style you’re looking for. If there are any special circumstances or things to either avoid or be careful with, be sure to disclose them. 
2. Remove as much of your clothing as you feel comfortable with. To get the most out of your massage, remove as much clothing as you possibly can. Typically clients remove all clothing and simply rely on the drape (a sheet or a towel) to maintain modesty. This way, there will be nothing to hinder the flow of the massage or access to specific areas that may need work. Your therapist has been trained to use the drape in a way that will allow them to do their job while still maintaining boundaries and modesty. It’s perfectly normal to be nervous about undressing, particularly if you’re new to massage. Always feel free to leave underwear on or anything you prefer if it makes you feel more comfortable. Your ability to relax is paramount.
3. Breathe. Your body desperately needs oxygen to function properly. When muscles get tight, blood flow is restricted and oxygen often is unable to properly reach the cells of the body. Always be sure to breathe throughout your massage session. If the therapist finds a tight or tender spot, focus your breath on that area. Visualize the inhalation traveling to the point of pain or tension. Through the power of intention, more oxygen will find its way there. Breathing can also induce relaxation. When you’re holding your breath, you're probably not relaxed. If it’s due to pain, perhaps the massage is too deep and the strokes will need to be adjusted. However, breathing can help you get through a difficult moment and receive the work you need in extra tight areas of the body.
4. Stay relaxed. As a client, you really only have one job while receiving a massage. Relax! Scan your body for any contracted muscles and let go of them. The therapist will be able to work your body better if it isn’t fighting back. Resist the temptation to “help” when the therapist moves a limb or lifts your head. The more you can be “dead weight” the better! The therapist will always let you know if they need you to do anything besides lie there.
5. Communicate.  Your therapist will always do their best to anticipate your needs by paying attention to your body language, but they aren’t mind readers! Just because you groan, doesn’t mean the therapist will lighten the pressure. Believe it or not, there is such a thing as “good pain” in a massage, and to some, “it hurts so good!” However, if you can’t stay relaxed and continue breathing, it might be too deep!  Always say something if you aren’t comfortable. That goes for any aspect of your massage experience. If you’re cold, hot, need a tissue, the music is too loud, the massage isn’t deep enough, you’d rather zone-out instead of chat, anything; speak up! Your massage therapist wants you to have the best massage you’ve ever had, every single time! 

~Jenni Curtis, LMT

801*879*4173

massagebyjenni.com 

5 Things to Do Before Your Massage

When preparing for your massage appointment, there are a few things to keep in mind. These 5 tips will help you to be ready for a successful session.

1. Pre-hydrate. Water will prepare your body to receive bodywork by getting muscles and kidneys in good order. That doesn't mean you should drink a gallon of water right before your session starts. Start to pre-hydrate the body the day before your massage. Make a conscious effort to drink extra water throughout the day and continue with moderation until the time comes to get your massage.
2. Shower. You'll feel better if your body is clean and your skin will be more able to receive the moisturizing oil and beneficial essential oils used in your session. What's more, you won't have to wonder if your feet stink or your body odor is offensive to the therapist. Don't worry about showering immediately before the session unless you've been doing heavy labor or exercise, but do come with a clean slate. If you aren't able to take care of things before you arrive, ask the therapist for a steamed towel to wipe down any offending areas.
3. Wear comfortable clothes. After your massage you'll feel relaxed and you'll want to continue with that feeling by having comfortable clothing to wear afterwards. If you have to come straight from work or a function, bring a set of more comfortable clothing with you so you'll have it to put on when you're finished. You won't want to get any residual oil on your nice clothes and you won't feel like being all dressed up anyway. You'll be ready to laze around for a while.
4. Empty your bladder. Massage gets things moving in the body and you might find that your bladder starts to feel full before the session is over. It's much easier to relax when you're not counting the minutes to when the therapist finishes so you can run to the bathroom. You may even be debating whether you want to make a mid-massage visit to the facilities wearing the sheet as a toga. Do yourself a favor and empty your bladder right before your massage. Even if you went before you left your house or job, try again. It can't hurt.
5. Turn off your cell phone! The last thing you should be doing during your massage is thinking about outside distractions. This is your time to zone out and re-energize before returning to business as usual. Leaving the phone on vibrate with the intention of not answering can be a distraction too. It's amazing how well you can hear a vibrating phone in a quiet room and as soon as you do, you'll be wondering who's calling or texting you. You will be much happier if you silence the phone. Business can wait an hour or two! 

~Jenni Curtis, LMT 

  801*879*4173

  massagebyjenni.com

Massage by Jenni Holiday Sale 2014

Beginning Monday December 1st at 8:00 AM MST purchase Holiday Gift Certificates available on my website. Quantities of 50% and 25% off gift certificates are limited and will sell out so don't wait! One order per customer. Also available are unlimited amounts of discounted gift certificates and packages that you can stock up on as often as you like until the sale ends December 24th at midnight.

Shop at massagebyjenni.com

Please note that all Holiday Gift Certificates will be valid for use starting December 26th and will expire June 30th, 2015. 10-packs are valid for 12 months. Expired gift certificates are always accepted at face value. Before you place your order, please read the Sale Guidelines.

~Jenni Curtis, LMT
801*879*4173
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