HEALTH
KARLA’S MASSAGE
Karla’s Massage owner Karla Mattis, center, shown with two associates,
Liping Yang, left, and Ankita Patel, right, says that after a brief shutdown
during the pandemic, her business is now stronger than ever.
“We might schedule 15 or 30 minutes between appointments
now.”
Southern Salt also checks temperatures. And science backs
up the claim that higher salt content in the facility’s air can
be beneficial. “Our clients also enjoy the elderberry shots we
offer them,” Barnes says, extracts that are believed to boost
the immune system.
Fusion Aveda Salon & Spa asks clients to check in for their
appointments by phone upon arrival, to be invited in only
after thorough cleaning. This also helps to limit the number
of clients in the building at any one time. Some services have
been curtailed for the time being, among them couples’ massages
and both hot stone and prenatal massages.
Fusion’s relaxation lounge for clients is also temporarily
closed. Client questionnaires, filled out every two weeks,
help screen for symptoms and travel. If a client’s temperature
exceeds 99 degrees the appointment is rescheduled. And
while rooms were always cleaned thoroughly pre-pandemic,
now every surface is disinfected — including pens, door
handles, clipboards and the on-site ATM.
INNOVATIVE CARE
Victoria Bell of Step by Step Therapeutic Neuromuscular
Therapy says that while massage typically “feels good,” her
company takes it a step further. Broward-based, the Port St.
Lucie office closed its doors during the shutdown, no longer
able to provide specialized massage to treat chronic jaw/
neck/head pain, including migraines and TMJ. People still
needed post-surgery care, however.
Bell offered free video sessions, instructing clients how to
perform techniques at home.
“We’ve always been by appointment only, one-on-one,
so that aspect hasn’t changed,”she says. “We don’t have a
waiting room and we keep sessions short. We had to let go
of some people, but we’re slowly coming back. People have
been afraid — we need to let everyone know it’s OK.”
Massage therapists in training were also affected by COVID
19. Port St. Lucie Beauty Academy had to close its doors
but plans to reopen in June thanks to a CARE grant from the
federal Department of Education that provides emergency
WE'LL GET Y OU HOME FAST AND TREA T YOU LIKE F AMILY.
We have accelerated FASTtrack rehabilitation
programs that restore your independence
while celebrating your life story. We
specialize in the individual touch.
We specialize in restoring independence.
• Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapies
• Private and semi-private rooms
• Pain Management • Specialized Wound Care Team
• Outpatient Rehab Services • Spacious Therapy Gyms
• Palliative Care and Hospice Services
• Nutritional Counseling by a Registered Dietician
• Life Enrichment Programs • Beauty/Barber Salons
• Spacious Areas for Outdoor Enjoyment
• Complimentary WiFi Access
Please Call (772) 335-8844 to get home
FAST in a loving, hotel-like environment
Visit our website for a virtual tour
1751 Hillmoor Drive, Port St. Lucie, Florida 34952 | palmgardenofportstlucie.com
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Port St. Lucie Magazine 35
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