Gecko Massage Therapy

My name is Niki Martinus and I am the sole proprietor of Gecko Massage Therapy. I have been in practice since 2004 after completing my training at Okanagan Valley College of Massage Therapy in Vernon, BC. I am an active registrant with the College of Massage Therapists of BC, the Massage Therapy Association of BC and The BC Medical Services Plan.

I now make my home in beautiful West Kelowna, BC, and enjoy a thriving solo practice in the core of this great community.

I am often asked about my connection to geckos, and why 'Gecko Massage'?? The gecko is one of those incredible creatures who have the ability to regenerate, to regrow their tail if it is severed. I equate that regenerative ability with our own innate healing capabilities. We are more capable and powerful than often we know! Our bodies are always striving for balance and equilibrium, and the art and science of massage therapy is one tool for assisting us in this quest. Another comparison with the lovely gecko is that, as a chameleon, this lizard is wonderfully adaptable. Our bodies, too, have an incredible adaptability to new stresses and environments. Unfortunately at times these adaptations and compensations lead to dysfunction...enter massage therapy!

UPDATED COVID-19 PROTOCOLS FOR STEP 3 OF BC'S RESTART PLAN

In order to maintain practice as safely as possible, this plan has been put in place with the goal of minimizing the risk of exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19.  Step 3 of BC’s Restart Plan is a careful, graded transition that relies on honest communication and consistent safety protocols

PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT WHILE I HAVE TAKEN MEASURES TO MINIMIZE RISK OF VIRAL TRANSMISSION, THE NATURE OF MASSAGE THERAPY MEANS THAT PHYSICAL DISTANCING IS NOT POSSIBLE IN THE TREATMENT ROOM. RISK IS MINIMIZED BUT CANNOT BE ELIMINATED, THEREFORE HONESTY AND CLEAR COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PATIENT AND THERAPIST IS CRUCIAL FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL INVOLVED.

We all have a responsibility to take measures to reduce transmission. The following requirements have been laid out for BC RMT's:

PRE-SCREENING -- PRIOR TO ARRIVAL

1. Prior to the appointment, please note:

Patients must arrive at their appointment with no signs of communicable disease. If they have signs of COVID-19, they are to contact public health at 8-1-1 and arrange to be tested .Symptoms of COVID-19 include:

-Fever

-Cough

-Chills

-Shortness of breath

-Sore throat or pain with swallowing

-Stuffy or runny nose

-Loss of sense of smell

-Headache

-Muscle aches

-Fatigue

-Loss of appetite

UPON ARRIVAL AT CLINIC

Upon arrival, the patient and RMT will confirm self-assessment outcomes for both therapist and patient. The treatment will be cancelled if the patient does not meet the pre-screening criteria upon physical presentation at the clinic.

The patient will be required to sign a consent and liability waiver with respect to COVID-19.

PHYSICAL DISTANCING

While not in the treatment room, a distance of 2 meters will be maintained between client and therapist. It is not possible to maintain physical distancing in the treatment room, but appropriate hygiene, cleaning and PPE measures will reduce the risk of transmission in this space.

To reduce traffic, patients will arrive unaccompanied, unless they are a minor or require physical assistance.  

The patient will be required to wait outside until the previous client has vacated the clinic. The therapist will call, text or signal to the client to enter.

The clinic door will be locked between patients to prevent anyone else from entering the space while in treatment.

Patients are asked to place their belongings in a sanitized plastic bin and remove all items upon leaving the room.

HAND HYGIENE

Upon arrival and before touching anything within the clinic, the patient will be required use hand sanitizer which will be provided just inside the clinic entrance.

The therapist will wash hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds between clients, before and after disinfecting spaces, before donning gloves or after removing gloves, and before donning or removing masks.

Hand washing protocols will be posted visibly in the reception area and in the washroom.

FACE TOUCHING AVOIDANCE

Coronavirus can be spread by touch if a person has used their hand/s to cover a cough or sneeze. It is vital to avoid touching the face, eyes, nose and mouth.

Tissues will be available within the treatment room, reception and washroom in order to address an itch or touch the face for any other reason.

Treatments of the facial area will not be conducted at this time.

ENHANCED CLEANING

The treatment room will be thoroughly cleaned between each client, including thorough sanitation of the massage table, face cradle, levers, lotion bottles, stool and stool levers. 

Visibly soiled surfaces will be cleaned followed by disinfection with a Canada Health Approved disinfectant.

Common areas will be cleaned and disinfected several times a day, including the washroom.

All high touch surfaces will be cleaned and disinfected between clients, regardless of appearances, including but not limited to handles, electronic devices, desk and table surfaces.

Linens (including blankets) will be single use only, and laundered in hot soapy water.

The water cooler must be immediately disinfected after use and it is vital to have no contact with the spout.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)  

July 2021: Masks are recommended by public health authorities in public indoor settings for all people aged 12+ who are not fully vaccinated.

The therapist will wear a face mask at the patient's request.

The therapist will wear gloves at the patient's request.

The clinic will continue the use of face masks for unvaccinated individuals. Disposable face masks will be provided.

PROFESSIONAL OBLIGATIONS

The therapist is covered by professional liability insurance through Wilson M. Beck Insurance Group. While the therapist is taking all measures to follow protocol and guidelines set forth by the College of Massage Therapists of BC, I can make no guarantees that the client will not come into contact with COVID-19 at the clinic.  

In the event that a patient tests positive for Covid-19 having been to a massage therapy appointment within 14 days prior to the onset of symptoms, the patient will contact the therapist and inform her of positive test results.

If a patient alleges that they caught COVID-19 from the therapist:

-The RMT will immediately call public health at 8-1-1 and report the alleged transmission, providing both the RMT's name and the name and contact information of the patient.

-The RMT must not provide any further massage therapy treatment to anyone until public health has investigated and has provided direction.

-The RMT must immediately self-isolate until the matter has been investigated and public health direction has been provided.

INFORMED CONSENT

In the current environment of COVID-19 risk, informed consent requires that the patient is informed that:

-any massage therapy treatment involves some risk of COVID-19 transmission

-the RMT is following a protocol to reduce or mitigate risk, but that risk cannot be reduced to zero.

-the patient consents to treatment despite some risk

-the RMT documents the patient's consent