WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT ACUPUNCTURE DURING COVID19 AT ALL WAYS WELL - Please Read

These are unusual times and I am extremely fortunate that Acupuncture has been deemed an "essential business" in Washington so that I have been able to practice through all phases of reopening. I am seeing patients in La Center, WA with limited hours but am slowly increasing my capacity - check the schedule often as hours and availability will continue to change over the next few months. As the country progresses through different stages of reopening, so will my practice.

At this time,  if you have any upper respiratory (URI) symptoms or have been in contact with anyone who has had URI symptoms or verified Covid-19 in the past two weeks prior to your scheduled appointment, it is recommended that you stay home and engage in telehealth only until you have recovered. A Covid-19 screening form will review these questions with you before each treatment.

If you are over 70 years old, especially if you have heart disease, diabetes, are lung compromised or immune compromised in any way, or if you have someone in these high risk categories in your immediate household, you can come in for treatment now, but I advise caution. There is no risk free scenario in an active medical practice - you may want to wait to pursue treatment until the final stages of reopening or, if your risk is very high, until the pandemic is over. But at this stage, if you are comfortable with the risk, you are welcome to come in for treatment.

It is also recommended that you stay home if you have traveled outside the US in the past 14 days or Domestically within the US by commercial plane/bus/train. Your health and safety is my primary concern! Thank you for your understanding.

Telehealth will also continue to be an option for anyone who wants to use it. Cases that are especially suited to Telehealth include internal medicine concerns such as digestive issues and women's health issues, viral issues that can't be treated in person right now such as common cold and flu, and seasonal allergies, though there are many other conditions that can be treated with Telehealth as well. Curious what they might be? Just ask!

Telehealth visits can include can include Acupressure instruction, Chinese herbal and supplement prescription, Meditation instruction, Ear seed placement (and ear seeds can be mailed to you), dietary and lifestyle advice and Facial Rejuvenation DIY protocols. If you want to know more, email me anytime, These can be booked online through my La Center location.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR APPOINTMENT:
  1. Your Car is Your Waiting Room (or the outside by the front door) - yes, please wait outside or in your car and Rebecca will come out to greet you at the front door to the LC office. The front door is under cover. You can also check in for your appointment ONLINE HERE upon arrival to let Rebecca know you are here OR text Rebecca at (360)952-3074.
  2. If You Have a Facemask Please Wear It, I Do! Kaiser in particular is requiring that patients wear facemarks for treatment - other insurers are likely to follow suit soon so please wear a mask to treatment if you do not have claustrophobia or another condition prohibiting it.
  3. Your Temperature Will Be Taken - with a touchless temp gun before entering the building.
  4. Can I Open That For You? - Rebecca will open all doors on the way in for you to reduce touching handles and surfaces.
  5. Extra Covid19 Intake Form To Complete Online or in person - this will be emailed to you prior to your appointment asking you to confirm that you don't have an URI and haven't been in contact with someone who has Covid19 to your knowledge. Please complete it before coming in though paper copies are available if needed.
  6. Wash Your Hands or Use Hand Sanitizer Upon Entry - Hand sanitizer is available in the clinic for you to use when you come in, or you can detour to the restroom across the hall to wash your hands before entering the treatment room.
  7. Thirsty? I'll get that for you  - If you'd like a drink of water from the water dispenser let me know and I'll poor it for you - less surfaces for you to touch!

While no place outside your home can be 100% without risk, I am doing everything I can to ensure your health and safety. In addition to the items above, I am effecting to decrease contact as much as possible. Tongues and pulses are only being checked if absolutely necessary for treatment on a case by case basis, I am not performing any Facial Acupuncture treatments at this time, I am doing neck massage and back cupping when patients are facedown only, otherwise when face up we focus on foot reflexology at the end of session. I also get to clean clean clean! That's the name of the game.  Extra time is allowed between sessions to clean all high contact surfaces (chairs, desk, door handles, light switches, hand sanitizer pump, all pens etc) with disinfectants approved for eradicating Coronavirus, and for now, only one patient at a time is allowed in the clinic.

SPECIFIC INSURER UPDATES: Kaiser will now cover in person visits for Referral patients only as of 5/6, Self -Refer CHP patients are only covered for Telehealth at this time with Acupuncturists until 6/15. The VA/Triwest will only cover in person treatment for acute or chronic pain and all routine Acupuncture evaluation for VA/Triwest patients can be telehealth only though I suspect this to shift soon also.

Want more detail? ​Here is a link to All Ways Well's Complete Covid-19 Preparedness Plan.

That's all for now!  Stay tuned for the next exciting adventures in Rebecca's practice as all things Coronavirus related continue to unfold.
We're here to help you achieve and maintain your unique health and wellness goals by combining acupuncture, foot reflexology, facial rejuvenation and Chinese herbology.  Insurance is accepted, and you can book online 24/7!