What You Can Do
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RMTs are not currently able to work as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Without an income coming in, many RMTs are concerned about their finances. It’s also likely you’re missing your patients and missing providing massage therapy treatments. The uncertainty about how this situation might progress can leave RMTs feeling helpless. We’ve compiled a couple of things you can do to help your patients, make a difference and engage in self-care.
Helping Your Patients
Although you can’t provide massage therapy treatment to your patients directly, you can still check in with your patients to offer remedial exercise advice or to further explain the home care instructions you’ve previously given. The RMTAO has been posting articles on our Facebook and Twitter channels that you can share with your patients, which include suggestions for working from home comfortably and ways to maintain an exercise routine at home. We will continue to share this type of article and encourage you to share them on your own channels.
You may also want to connect with specific individual patients to check in, and there are now a variety of virtual tools that can help you do so. The CMTO has provided advice on when a virtual appointment would be appropriate. They suggest you consider the massage therapy scope of practice and ensure that the appointment you’re considering providing virtually fits into the scope of practice.
One example of a virtual appointment that would fit into the scope of practice is providing patients with advice about self-care. You should be sure to be transparent in all documentation about what service was provided, and that the service was provided remotely. You should also advise the patient that this may not be covered by their extended health benefits. You can also informally reach out to patients by email or over the phone to recommend links to some YouTube channels or other resources they might find helpful.
Making a Difference
Many RMTs are eager to do their part to help in the fight against COVID-19. The Ontario Ministry of Health is recruiting regulated health professionals that can support front-line providers, and help the efforts to control the spread of COVID-19.
This would be a part-time commitment, and you are invited to apply on the Health Force Ontario website with your personal information as well as information about your expertise and preferences for areas which to help.
Health care professionals that are on the frontlines of treating COVID-19 are concerned about not having enough Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to do their jobs safely.
The Ontario Medical Association (OMA) and the Registered Nurse’s Association of Ontario (RNAO) is still seeking direct donations of PPE so they can transfer it to frontline healthcare workers in need. PPE that can be donated includes surgical/procedure masks, N95 masks, gloves, gowns and eye protection.
If you are able to donate, please contact christine.poopalapillai@oma.org with the following information:
Name:
Location (please include postal code):
Phone:
Email:
Supplies Available and Quantity:
Getting Ready for Business
The situation of RMTs during the COVID-19 pandemic is not ideal, but it is also not permanent. You can take this time to make sure you are as ready as possible for the day when you can return to practice, and can be as successful as possible for the rest of your career.
There’s a lot of stretching and strengthening you can do to make sure your fingers, hands, wrists and forearms are in top shape to get back to work. This article goes over a few easy stretches that RMTs can do from the comfort of their homes, to make sure they’re in top physical condition to go back to work.
With more time on your hands than ever, it’s also a great time to expand your knowledge and prioritize continuing education. There are many great educational resources you can access from home. There are ebooks, videos, podcasts and articles available that can help you reach your educational goals. This list provides some great resources you can use to supplement your at-home learning.
Just because you’re not currently working, doesn’t mean you can’t review your business plan and develop new marketing strategies if appropriate, that you can use when you go back to work. Once you go back to work, what strategies will you use to ensure your old patients will come back? How will you attract new patients when everyone has gotten used to previous physical distancing policies? These are some things you can start thinking about now. Just because you’re not working doesn’t mean you can’t work on your business!
Self-Care
Although you aren’t currently dealing with the day-to-day physical and mental stresses that come with a massage therapy practice, it’s still important that you make the time for self-care. You are now experiencing new stresses about your finances, your health, your business and the uncertainty of the situation. Developing a self-care routine that works for you can help you cope with that stress.
Many people find it helpful to practice meditation – whether that’s traditional seated meditation, walking meditation or any meditative activity. This gives you the opportunity to focus on the “now” and letting any stressful thoughts fall by the wayside.
Many people find practicing mindfulness to have a similar effect. Mindfulness simply means being aware of the moment you are in, quietly acknowledging it without reaction and then let any stressful or distressing thoughts to float from your mind. You can also be mindful of your breathing. Slowly and deeply breathing in and out while focusing solely on your breathing can help keep you feeling calm and focused.
It’s also important to stay as physically active as possible. Regular physical activity is essential to maintain good physical and mental well-being. Developing an at-home exercise routine can help you both by bringing some structure to your days and giving you the rush that many people get from exercising.
There are many other things you can do to take care of yourself, including but not limited to journaling, drinking more water, trying a new healthy recipe, virtually connecting with family or friends, or reading or watching something that will make you laugh.
A Difficult Situation
The COVID-19 pandemic represents a difficult time for RMTs for a number of reasons. We hope that for those that are looking for something practical they can do, this article provides some helpful suggestions. With more time on your hands, many people are looking for new ways to take care of themselves and help others.