Reconnecting Essentials

Who Really Received Therapy?

2011-05-05T11:25:00.000-07:00

In massage school we are taught all about the body - the bones, the muscles, the systems. We're taught the basic techniques for massaging, and, depending on the school and length of training, additional techniques to heighten our skills.

We're taught SOAP notes, charting, and filing; scheduling and confidentiality.

And, if the teacher was good, in my opinion, we were taught that there are occasions clients will relax and feel comfortable enough to talk about events, occasions, and even troubles.

One of my teachers did mention this as well as the need to remember as Massage Therapists we are not counselors in any sense of the word and all we generally had offer was a listening ear; which, often, is all that is needed or wanted.

But, nobody ever mentioned how sometimes the coin may flip: sometimes a client may stay a few minutes longer and just talk. About anything.

There's nothing like a boost to the ego when a client reschedules while singing praises of loose and pain-free muscles: but, there's also much to be said of a client who enjoys the company just as much and chooses to stay a few minutes longer to chat about everything and nothing.

Sometimes at the end of the day I feel as though I am the one who received therapy instead of the one who gave.
Sometimes I am reminded that I am a great Massage Therapist only because I have such great clients!

May everyday bring such Reconnecting experiences!!

Massage Licensing in PA

2011-03-04T23:10:00.000-08:00

In October 2008, former Gov. Rendell signed the Amendent that put the PA Massage Therapist Licensing into motion. Near the end of 2010 it was finalized and starting this year the new PA State Board of Massage Therapy made available applications for existing and newly graduate Massage Therapists to finally receive a license.

Because of this advancement in recognition, Massage Therapy now has a specific definition of what massage therapy is considered; following is how it is defined by the Board:

§ 20.41. Scope of practice.
(a) Massage therapists apply a system of structured touch, pressure, movement, holding and treatment of the soft tissue manifestations of the human body in which the primary intent is to enhance the health and well-being of the client. Massage therapy includes:
(1) The external application of water, heat, cold, lubricants and other topical preparations.
(2) Lymphatic techniques.
(3) Myofascial release techniques.
(4) The use of electro-mechanical devices which mimic or enhance the action of the massage techniques.
(b) Massage therapy practice does not include:
(1) The diagnosis or treatment of impairment, illness, disease or disability.
(2) Medical procedures.
(3) Chiropractic manipulation—adjustment.
(4) Physical therapy mobilization—manual therapy.
(5) Therapeutic exercise.
(6) Ordering or prescribing drugs or treatments for which a license to practice medicine, osteopathic medicine, nursing, podiatry, optometry, chiropractic, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or other healing art is required.
(7) The application of high velocity/low amplitude force further defined as thrust techniques directed toward joint surfaces.
(8) The use of equipment or devices that require a prescription (for example, ultrasound, diathermy or electrical neuromuscular stimulation)

Winter 2010 Food Drive & Open House Results

2010-11-29T19:18:00.000-08:00

Down Town Clarion kicks off the Holiday Celebration every year with local discounts, events, late hours and free parking during Customer Appreciation Day.

This year that day was on Monday, November 22 and Reconnecting participated with a Food Drive and Open House.

Regular and New Customers were welcome to a free chair massage and free paraffin dip for hands if they brought 4 dry goods later to be donated to the local Food Bank.

Our doors opened at noon and we quickly spent the day stacking canned and boxed good under the Christmas tree in the waiting room between visits, massages, and paraffin dips as well as tours and scheduling.

By the end of the night we welcomed several new customers as well as counted 85 goods to be donated.

We had fun participating in this years Appreciation Day by giving back to our community and thank all of those who were able to come for the event and look forward to a repeat next year.

Until then, have a blessed Holiday Season.

Up-Coming Event: Cusomer Appreciation Day 2010!

2010-11-01T06:07:00.000-07:00

Monday, November 22 is Customer Appreciation Day and we are participating with a Food Drive and Open House.

Bring several canned goods and receive FREE Chair Massage, FREE Paraffin Dip, FREE refreshments and up to 45% off select retail.

If you've not been to our office, this will be a great day to meet some of our Massage Therapists, receive a quick tour, and even buy gift certificates for that special some one on your Christmas list.

Discounts will be offered to new clients who schedule a future massage before leaving!

First Annual Winter Shopping & Pampering Food Drive

2009-11-21T18:46:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, November 21 Reconnecting hosted its first ever Winter Shopping and Pampering Food Drive; and, as much as that might have been a tongue twister, the success will be allowing many taste-buds - and bellies, for that matter - in need to have a better holiday this season.

The event cost Four (4) canned goods to enter and provided the guests with a meal of Sloppy Joes, Buffalo Chicken Dip, Grapes & Strawberries, Carrots & Broccoli and drinks.

The guests also got to buy unique Christmas gifts from Mary Kay, Watkins, Pampered Chef, Party Lite, a local wood craft booth and/or a primitive craft-maker booth.

And, of course, Massage Therapy, Paraffin Dip, and Reflexology pamperings were offered the whole day, making this Shopping Experience far superior over Black Friday, hands down.

Not only was it alot of fun, but we collected 73 goods and nearly $100 for Clarion's Food Bank!!

Thank you to all who came out and made this such a success; and, hopefully we'll see all of you next year.

Massage for Soldiers

2009-09-27T14:18:00.000-07:00

Whether or not you agree with the war overseas, one thing stands true for us all: We are grateful for the brave ones who are sent there and thankful when they return.
Recently, men and woman returned in this and surrounding counties and will spend the next few months reacquainting themselves with family, and hopefully an atmosphere of peace and balance.
Among all the things family could do for their returned loved ones, scheduling a professional massage should definitely be on the list. Although many are aware of using massage to relax a little bit, there are those who are unaware of the many benefits that go far beyond pampering the body.
Various massage techniques can be used to help break down tension within muscles that have become programmed to stay tense in anticipation and can re-learn how to relax. Massage can also help with the release of endorphins, our body’s ‘feel-good’ hormone, as well as assist the body’s production of serotonin, a hormone that’s crucial to keep balanced in those suffering from depression.
Additionally, giving the body a chance to relax in a near meditative state can assist receivers in getting better REM sleep, the phase of sleep when the body rests as well as heals itself from daily activities. Best of all, the relaxed response a body has following a massage can last 2, 3, and sometimes as long as 4 days afterwards.
Because I believe whole-heartedly in the benefits of massage, I’ll be offering free half-hour massages to soldiers who’ve just returned, with the option of upgrading to an hour for a small fee from now until November 30, 2009. Just call (814) 226-5151 for more details.

Reconnecting Mini-Retreat

2009-07-31T15:57:00.000-07:00

Every year, my massage association Associated Massage & Bodywork Professionals (ABMP) sponsors Everybody Deserves a Massage Week, requesting massage therapists to not only spend some time educating their community about massage but also finding a way to give back.

This was the first year I was able to contribute and, apparently, decided to do it big. For the first time since I've been in business, Reconnecting hosted a Charity Event: Reconnecting Mini-Retreat, with all the proceeds benefiting Charitable Deeds in Clarion.

The Mini-Retreat offered three pamperings for $25 with choices between Hypno-meditation, chair massage, reflexology, and Mary Kay Satin Hands and paraffin dip. Along with the Mary Kay booth, we also had a Pampered Chef consultant, purse party booth, and Young Living Essential oils.

Everybody who offered some sort of service also participated in the Chinese auction which included gift certificates for massage or reflexology, a Dolce and Gabanna hand bag, a Pampered Chef Mandolin, a flower arrangement from Flowers and Bows, among other items.

All in all, it was a fun day for me, vendors and volunteers, and visitors, who all walked away with a bag containing information from just about every business who participated and a few vouchers for future services.

I think I'm safe in saying it was a success as I report gifting Charitable Deeds $362 solely from this event!

And, because it was so much fun, there's talk of doing something before Christmas this winter . . . only time will tell.

Roll-On, Deep Relief, Roll-On

2009-02-03T18:32:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago I was fighting a cold. You know the kind: you wake up in the morning with a dry throat and spend the day hoping it doesn't turn into anything, only to learn by the end of the day that all that hoping would have been better spent on world peace.

This time, something as simple as a dry throat became so much more as it clogged the sinuses and created the sensation of an elephant sitting on my face, an elephant that starts kicking and stomping every time I attempt to bend over.

The problem with my colds is that it doesn't end there, my colds always travel to my weakest area - my ears.

I proceeded with my usual cold treatment of drinking extra water, Eucalyptus Globulus slathered over my neck and throat, and wish for more sleep. Oh, and maybe some cursing towards modern medicine for not figuring out how to actually cure the common cold.

Then I got my monthly Young Living order and even though I'd forgotten what new thing I'd decided to try, I was excited to see one of their new roll-on essentials oils blends - Deep Relief. It's actually formulated specifically to help with muscle relief because of the essential oil combination it contains (including peppermint, balsam fir, wintergreen and more); but, I figured it couldn't hurt to put it on my neck along the area of Eustachian tubes in hopes things would start draining better than it had in a few days.

Immediately, I felt my congestion loosen and the pressure in my face relieve a little bit.

I can't say that it made my cold go by faster, but I can definately guarantee that it made it a little more bearable. And, it was nice taking off the cap and actually just rolling the oil onto my neck without having to worry about what might still linger on my hands after each time I used it.

Along with the cold symptom relief, it's also come in pretty handy warding off possible tension headaches after a long day of massaging.

It's safe to say it's another oil I'll make sure I never run out of.

Welcome, Katrina

2009-01-15T16:49:00.000-08:00

A new year often spurs changes. Some changes are a result of things we didn't like of the previous year and we don't want to re-experience; other changes are just a way of moving forward.

One change Reconnecting will be experiencing is of the latter, a movement forward:

There were a handful of days during the last few months of 2008 I noticed a significant increase in business for which I could have used a little bit of help. After much thought, I decided it would be a good idea to contract another therapist to help with the occasional overflow of clients as well as assist with the increasing request of couples and/or friends coming together for a massage.

And, much as it always happens when we're accept-ant of change, I met Katrina who recently finished school and was looking for a place to build her own clientele.

Katrina graduated from CUP's Venango Campus 600 hour Massage Therapy Certification program in August of 2008.

Although she is currently an employee at a local care-giving business, she also offers massage on an on-call basis at the Clarion River Lodge in Cooks Forest. She's anxious to start building a regular clientele at Reconnecting and has already started seeing a few clients of her own as well as helped with a few couples/friends massages. All the clients that Katrina gains from her own hard work at advertising or from Reconnecting's overflow of business will remain her clients as long as she's contracted with Reconnecting (additionally, all clients already seen by Donna will continue to be considered her clients and only seen by her).

Katrina has a strong technique and a passion to learn through teaching and experience. She's not fully sure of where she wants massage to take her in life; but she's considering additional training in massage for Cancer patients.

If you've already seen Katrina for a massage and enjoyed it or felt better afterwards, don't forget to reschedule. And, don't forget to tell your friends and family.

Open House

2008-12-13T18:45:00.000-08:00

We kicked off December with an Open House on the 5th, opening our doors at 12:00 pm and welcoming people well past 7:00.

The waiting area was adorned with a simple Christmas tree and our usual courtesy hot water and variety of tea. We added a table filled with apples, grapes, candy, crackers, and chocolate chip cookies along with some apple cider to quench our guests thirst.

After guests grabbed a bite to eat, they received a tour of our two massage rooms and tea room designed to accommodate group guests of four for spa or bridal parties; then we convened in the reception area for free paraffin hand dips as I answered any questions anybody might have concerning services, prices, or just about the business.

Before anybody left, I handed out little bags containing brochures, coupons, notes on upcoming events/specials, a business card, a magnet 2009 calendar, and a sample of home-made Lavender bath salts.

It was a small crowd that visited; but I feel it was successful as I got to see some old clients and meet a few new people I look forward to seeing again in the future.

You Know You're Appreciated When . . .

2008-11-19T11:12:00.000-08:00

Often, we all do things for others without a second thought of whether or not we're going to get any return; but, we all know a Thank you feels great to hear.

A tangible Thank You is even better!

So, the Merchants in downtown Clarion, PA would like to say "Thank You!"

Thank you for sticking by us through this economic hard time. Thank you for the many times you chose to buy from small business owners instead of bigger corporation. We appreciate and value you for these choices.

And, we'd like to make it up to you. So, we've dedicated an entire day to you - the customer:

Monday, November 24th

Over 33 stores in downtown Clarion are offering refreshments, discounts, and special offers all day on Monday.

And, there's free parking! No more worrying about whether or not the meter has run out as you peruse one shop after the other along Main Street and work your way to other Merchants within the side streets.

I'm joining in and offering my daily courtesy refreshment of Hot Tea within the waiting room aong with hand-outs and brochures readily available for any who need a refresher on all the services I provide.

And, I'm offering 1 hour Massages for only $40 that day only. A $10 savings.

So, come and enjoy yourself in Downtown Clarion, do some Christmas Shopping, enjoy the scenery only a small town such as this can provide, and know that your business is appreciated.

November Specials

2008-10-31T13:54:00.000-07:00

Winter Warm Up

November is here and it brings with it the Holiday Season and possibly a forecast of snow or two. Still, that's no reason to let a chill ruin your Holiday Spirit: Warm yourself to your very core with a Hot Stone Massage.

The stones are special, smooth river stones that hold heat as they are placed under, on, and around the body as well as used to massage the face, neck, shoulders, arms, legs and back to a massage that will raise your core body temperature much like a soak in a hot tub will as well as warm and relax your muscles on a different level than a regular Swedish/Therapeutic massage due to the heat's penetrating and tension-relieving abilities.

And, do it all for only $55 in the month of November - $10 less then the regular cost.

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Kick Your Cold

The winter chill along with the stress of the holidays can compromise the immune system, making you more susceptible to the cold and flu.

There are a few things that a person can do to boast the immune system in hopes to ward off any chance of finding self wrapped in blankets with a box of tissue and a bowl of chicken noodle soup.

make sure you wash your hands after being in public, being around those who are sick or admit to recently being around some one who is sick - just because they don't show symptoms doesn't meant they are not carriers
bundle up when out in the cold;
and try not to over-use anti-bacterial products - although they are handy for a good overall clean, anti-bacterial products cannot decipher between good and bad bacteria therefore they wipe out all bacteria, compromising some of your outer defense system
get a massage - a massage increases the amount of oxygenated blood that circulates, decreases stress levels which can compromise the immune system, and increased the amount of white blood cells, blood cells that make up the immune system, in the body
eat healthy or at least make sure your getting proper amounts of vitamins - vitamin C is a good cold fighter
get plenty of rest - lack of sleep nicks-away at the DNA make-up of your regenerating cells, meaning once you've lost sleep you at your basic cellular level cannot get it back!

If you happen to get a cold, take advantage of our winter special: Kick Your Cold which includes a 20minute upper body massage to loosen the muscle that participate in breathing (and coughing) with 100% Therapeutic Grade Eucalyptus Essential Oil and a Reflexology Treatment to encourage balance within the body through the Reflexes in the feet.

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Feature Products

Young Living Super C

available in bottle with 120 tablets or 90 chewable tablets

Eucalyptus Globulus Essential Oil

can relieve congestion and opening up airways, it's the active ingredient in Vics; apply topically or let diffuse it throughout the air of your home

For more information or to place an order contact Donna at Reconnecting or go to reconnectingessentials.younglivingworld.com.

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As you embrace Winter with donned scarf and hat, I hope you find time to relax, rejuvenate, and reconnect with a healthier you and don't forget to turn your clocks back on Saturday, November 1.

Hope you have a wonderful November.

As always - Keep Connected,

Donna

Reconnecting

Massage and Bodywork DaySpa

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In the Community: ALF '08

2008-10-02T19:45:00.000-07:00

Fall is upon us, the leaves are changing, and Clarion, PA is once again hosting their annual Autumn Leaf Festival (ALF); and just like so many years before this one, local and out-of-town people will be walking Main street, literally, to enjoy Farmer's and Crafter's Day.

This year, both members of Reconnecting will be offering chair massage for donations that will be given to a local food bank.

Helen will be there 9:00AM -11:00AM and again at 3:00PM - 4:00PM.

Donna will be there 1:00PM - 3:00PM. Afterwards, she will be setting up a chair at the Clarion Mall next to Mega Roc's station to offer Chair Massages during the Mall's first Wild Animal Show.

Hope to see you there.

Hot Stones are back!

2008-10-01T14:29:00.000-07:00

Back by popular demand and possibly a fall-chill down the spine, Reconnecting is now offering Hot Stone Massage for $65.
Don't miss out on the opportunity to warm up as the weather chills down!