Office Reopens June 15th

Posted by on Jun 11, 2020 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

Dear clients,

I am very happy to announce that the office is reopening for in-person acupuncture appointments on Monday June 15th.   Governor Baker has opened Phase 2 health care which includes acupuncture.

It has been without a doubt a very difficult time for all of us, and we continue to face uncertainty.  I hope that you and your loved ones have managed well during this time. As we slowly resume activities it is clear that we’ll be navigating the world differently.  Accessing health care and acupuncture treatment is no exception.  However, a lot of planning and guidance has gone into creating new processes and environments for safe delivery of in-person health care.  Acupuncturists are already highly trained in clean needle technique and safe practices.  At the clinic, we are committed to the safety of everyone and are following local, state, federal and professional guidelines for safe practices for Covid-19.  Below you’ll find all the details and info you need to resume your acupuncture care. 

First, a personal note: After a 3 month closure, now that Governor Baker has allowed Phase 2 health care to resume, I am ready and looking forward to seeing you again!  My time away from the office, though challenging, stressful and full of uncertainty, also gave me an opportunity to grow and learn.  I offered telehealth consultations and virtual healing and coaching sessions, which I loved and will continue to do.  I spent time keeping up to date on changes in health care safety, learning new technology, taking classes in functional nutrition and digestive health, and pursuing training in health and life coaching.  Daily walks in the woods with my dog, gardening, and cooking healthy food helped keep me grounded and nourished.  I am now committed to learning more ways to support anti-racism and health care equity in our community.  Just recently I’ve been able to see my own acupuncturist and chiropractor to help get back into balance after quarantine and have the experience of being a patient during Covid-19.  It felt amazing to have treatments again; self care continues to be essential during these trying times.

After a lot of prep and planning, I now feel ready to step back into the office and give the best treatments I can  – to help YOU get back into balance and receive the health care you need.  Despite the changes in office procedures and public health concerns, I am committed to providing you effective and compassionate care in a safe and healing environment.  Thank you for your continued trust and commitment to my business, and to your own health.

NEW Online Scheduling
Please use the new online scheduler to make your appointment.  This is the best way to communicate important screening and safety information for your appointment and to send reminders.  (Please keep in mind due to new safety requirements there will be fewer appointments available, and online bookings are available for a month out.  In future, more appointment times will be added as I figure out the best flow with the new procedures.   You can email Lisa@DavisSquareAcupuncture.com to get on a waiting list if you cannot find an available time.)

Schedule Appointment

New Office Safety Policies and Procedures: 
Please review carefully before scheduling your appointment.  (These policies may change and if so you will be notified before your appointment.)
Updated Covid-19 Office Procedures are also posted on the website: https://davissquareacupuncture.com/covid-19-office-procedures/

Screening:

  • All clients will be screened for current symptoms and exposure and will be rescheduled as needed.  Do not come to an appointment: with any symptoms or until symptoms have resolved for 72 hours; if you have had contact or suspected exposure to someone with Covid-19 in the past 14 days; if you are waiting for Covid-19 test results; if you have traveled out of state/country in the past 14 days.
  • 24 hours prior to appointment, you will receive a screening form with your appointment reminder.  Please complete the screening promptly.  
  • Clinic providers and staff will also screen themselves daily for symptoms and will reschedule appointments as needed
  • A copy of the screening form can be found here; please review it: https://forms.gle/cctQkxB7BE4ywxiG9
  • Contactless temperature will be taken before your appointment
  • Per DPH guidelines, scheduling priority will be determined by the clinician

Appointment Check-in:

  • Face masks covering nose and mouth are required in the building and treatment rooms and need to be kept on for the duration.  If this is an issue please contact your provider before scheduling an appointment. Disposable masks are available but due to PPE shortages clients are asked to bring their own masks
  • The waiting room will be closed until further notice to comply with social distancing requirements.  
  • Please wait in your car or outside the building and text 617-548-8167 when you arrive. Provider will call you to ask re-screening questions and let you know to come to your treatment room.
  • Please note the Town of Arlington requires masks when outdoors in public
  • To minimize contact time, in-person conversations will be kept to a shorter time.  If you need more than 5-10 minutes before your treatment then a phone or video chat will be scheduled prior to your appointment.   Please let your provider know ahead of time if you need a longer check in.
  • Guests or visitors of clients must wait in the car or outside the building. 
  • Note that building restrooms will be regularly cleaned and maintained by building management but will not be cleaned between use. Consider using the restroom before you arrive at the building.

In treatment rooms:

  • Clients must wash or sanitize hands before entering the treatment room.  Hand sanitizer will be provided.
  • Masks are worn by client and provider for the duration of the treatment
  • Provider will open and close treatment room doors. Please do not touch door handles and keep minimal contact with other surfaces.
  • A plastic bin will be provided for personal belongings that will be disinfected between use. Please bring only what is necessary into the treatment room.
  • Note that no linens, sheets or towels will be available for draping, only paper.  Please wear appropriate clothing for treatment (layers, loose pants, shorts, tanks tops, skirts etc)
  • All treatment room tables and high touch surfaces will be disinfected between treatments using an EPA approved product
  • Treatments rooms will be empty for 30 minutes between clients for cleaning and ventilation
  • All treatment rooms have HEPA filters
  • Providers will wear clean scrubs for each shift and use PPE as needed
  • Providers will hand sanitize upon entering and leaving treatment rooms
  • Providers will follow all clean needle technique and safety procedures.   

Payment and scheduling:

  • Payment is due at time of service. 
  • Contactless prepayment is available.  Secure payment via Stripe or Paypal can be made when booking online.  HSA/FSA cards are accepted online; an invoice can be provided.  
  • Paypal payment link:  https://paypal.me/LisaDesrosiersLAc  
  • In-person payment options include self-swipe credit card processing;  checks (must be pre-filled for the correct amount) and cash (in exact change only) will be put directly into a payment envelope
  • Please note that regular rates are listed on the online scheduling page.  If you have been on a discounted rate and still need assistance, or if your employment has been affected, please be in touch to discuss.  
  • All appointments are scheduled online
  • Automatic reminder emails will be sent which include important screening questions and safety reminders.  
  • Cancellation fees are waived for Covid related issues, but otherwise are in effect (48 hour cancellation policy)
  • Appointments will be staggered to maintain social distancing with other clients and allow for proper cleaning and disinfecting of treatment rooms. This means fewer appointment times are available.  

Schedule Appointment

Thank you for your cooperation and patience as we navigate re-entry!   Feel free to email with any questions. 

A Word about Covid-19:
It is not within the scope of practice of acupuncturists to treat active Covid-19, nor is it advisable for public health reasons.  However, there are many lingering symptoms and effects after illness that acupuncture can treat: fatigue, malaise, muscle soreness, respiratory issues and more.  If you have had a positive Covid-19 test, then a negative test will be required before receiving acupuncture. 

Acupuncture can also help boost and support your immune system to keep you healthy as you return to work or other activities. 

Use Your Health Care Benefits!

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA now covers acupuncture, and I am in-network.  You can contact BCBS to check your benefits or send a copy of your insurance card to the office for a benefits check.
  • I am also in-network with Harvard Pilgrim and Cigna. 
  • HSA/FSA Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts can be used to pay for acupuncture.

ONLINE/VIRTUAL support is still available if you’re not ready to come to the office:

A message about current events:
The American Society of Acupuncturists released a statement that I am proud to share and support: 
“As a holistic medical community, we recognize that compassion and love for one another takes work, and that overcoming centuries of systemic racism and discrimination demands constant vigilance, action, and collaboration.  We stand committed to anti-racist practices that root out bias, discrimination and oppression in the medical field. We strive to create a world that is just and safe for all, with equitable laws, social opportunity and access to health care that meet the needs of every human being in our global community.”

May our healing continue inside and outside of the treatment room.

Again, I look forward to seeing you in the office again soon.  Feel free to email me with any questions. Stay well.
Best,
Lisa