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Update on COVID-19

3/12/2020

In Short: We are open, our doorknobs are clean, massage can help with stress and immunity, and we'd love to see you as long as you're not sick and you wash your hands first!
See below for details or just book an appointment (but don't be surprised if we ask you to wash your hands before your session).

Do your best to stay healthy, folks.

Warmest regards, Chrystina & Sean

The bad news and what we're doing about it.

The CDC Guidelines are a great start if you're not already familiar. Here's how we are working specifically:

If you're unwell, or are caring for (or have been exposed to) someone who is unwell, please cancel your appointment. We will waive the cancellation fee, even with less than 24 hours notice.

When you arrive at our building, please wash your hands before your appointment. We've been washing up like we are prepping for surgery and appreciate you helping to keep us safe (and in business) too.

If you've recently traveled to an area with documented cases, please follow the 14-day quarantine guideline and don't come in.

We have also been following CDC Guidelines, and watching the Maine CDC website for local and regional guidance. We have been diligently disinfecting high-touch surfaces like our phones, doorknobs, sink handles, light switches and all of our equipment in the treatment rooms before each treatment. We have also coordinated with the other therapists in the building to ensure we're all taking the same precautions. If we start to feel unwell, we will cancel appointments, but we hope to keep the doors open as long as we are healthy. Book Online or give us a call/text at 207-558-2766

The good news!

We can all focus a little more on boosting our immune systems. Massage will likely help to support a healthy immune system, and here are some other ways you can do that on your own.

Reduce Stress. We know this can be hard given all the news, but we are guessing that our increased booking rate of late is in response to some need for help in that department. Sean and Chrystina now both offer Craniosacral Therapy (CST). Following a CST session, a recent client noted "This is the most relaxed I've ever been without being asleep," so evidently, it works.

Moisturize. The skin is the largest organ and it's a barrier to infection. With our frequent handwashing, we are noticing MUCH dryer skin. It's important to moisturize in addition to washing to keep our skin supple and strong.

Hydrate. This will help keep your internal system hydrated and your skin will thank you too. Water is great, but tea, juice, broth and other fluids count too.

Exercise. This reduces stress, increases circulation, exposes you to fresh air (hopefully), and boosts your immune system.

Supplement. Our friend, and local naturopath, Dr. Aline Potvin has recently shared a blog post regarding supplements (Vitamin C, Vitamin D and other Minerals) and hydrotherapy (contrast showers) that can help. See her post for details on dosing.

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Massage, seated variety

1/23/2020

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Glad the holidays are over, but missing the community feeling of the parties?

Recently, a brilliant client of ours asked whether we could show up at a birthday party with a massage chair. Answer: wholehearted YES!

We thought this was a great idea in theory, and it was a smash hit in practice, so we wanted to share it with you too.

Chair-based massage is a great way to receive shoulder, neck, arm, back, hips, and hand work. It doesn't take a ton of space, and it's easy to transition from one person to the next. So it's a great fit for a small party -- or a large one.

Ready to add a little relaxation to your next shindig? Call 207-558-2766 or email info@harkhouse.me to arrange a time.

No travel fee for any location within the downtown Biddeford area, one half mile from our office at 180 Main Street. 90-minute minimum, $85/hour/therapist.

Need a tune-up between appointments?

We set up shop every Saturday morning from 9-12:30 at the Saco River Market, located at 40 Main Street in Biddeford, next to Sweetcream and Portland Pie Company. Stop by to introduce your friends! We'd be happy to answer any questions, give you a treatment in the chair, or book your next appointment. Market also has great vegetables, meat, prepared foods, crafts, jewelry, artisanal dog treats, and live music.

I stopped into the Saco River Market this morning with a terrible headache and was happy to find Chrystina and Sean there offering 10-minute seated massage. Chrystina was knowledgeable, intuitive and got right to the root of the problem. A half an hour later, and my headache was gone. I HIGHLY recommend her!" - Emily W.

Massage looks great in your office! You know the benefits of massage, but did you know that only 20% of the adult American population receives massage?

Making time for health and self-care are top of mind for many folks these days, and massageis a great way to help jump-start a path toward better self-care or supplement an already great routine. Even a 10-15 minute session can be beneficial.

Having healthy colleagues is beneficial for everyone. When your colleagues are relaxed, it's much easier for you to relax too.

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Gifts and celeBration!

12/16/2019

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This is on the late side

But you'll forgive us for focusing on clients, right?

Thanksgiving was so late that we have been way behind on our end-of-year planning. Maybe it's been like that for you too? We have some last-minute gift ideas for you.

Gift Certificates for massage are available at www.harkhouse.me/giftcertificates. Buy one for a loved one or forward this email to that person who's been asking what to get for you. They're available in any amount.

If you're interested in purchasing paintings, we would be delighted to offer you a private tour of Sean's new painting studio across the street from our office. Most of the work currently on display at Hark House is also for sale. Please reply to this email or give us a call to arrange a time. Prices range from $150 - $1600.

We are celebrating quite a year!

Thank you for helping us to become a more integral part of the Biddeford community--from volunteering to doing pop-up chair massage around town--including at the Saturday Morning (9-12:30) Saco River Farmers' Market, which is at 40 Main Street, Biddeford next to Sweetcream and Portland Pie.

Sean is now volunteering with Compass Project to support teens learning to build boats and other wooden objects, and Chrystina recently joined the Conservation Commission of the City of Biddeford. And we both are giddy about our new art studios in the new Engine Studios across the street.

We appreciate you trusting us to help with your self-care and well-being and we aim to continue to be of service.

Warm wishes for a safe and healthy new year!
Sean & Chrystina

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Consistency Works!

5/7/2019

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Why regular massage?

While it’s tempting to call for an emergency massage session when you’ve got a tweak in your low back or a clicking shoulder, it’s not the only way!

Awareness is a major component of massage, and it presents major benefits, but developing awareness takes time.

Have you ever had a massage and thought, “well, I didn’t realize that hurt!”? That’s awareness. You might even say "Hark! I didn't even know I had that!"

Has a massage session or something your therapist taught you inspired you to consider changes to your posture, your seating, your footwear, your hydration? That’s awareness.

Like any ‘problem’ we face, acknowledging it is often the first step toward recovery.

Many clients come for massage on a regular basis, usually monthly or bi-weekly. I find that those who come in more regularly present with fewer acute issues over time.

For example, one client came in with shoulder pain that resulted in an arm that didn’t want to extend overhead easily. After each monthly session, which always included some very specific shoulder work, she looked like a second grader who just learned how to spell Mississippi—the arm would shoot up over her head with no trouble. And she would be pain-free for 3-4 weeks after the session, but it would return. After about 4-5 sessions, however, she came in and raised her arm exuberantly before the session. Since then we have been able to re-allocate shoulder time to other parts of her body.

You have the power to keep yourself healthy, and an attentive, curious massage therapist can help you find all those hidden nooks and crannies. We’d love to be part of your wellness plan.

We offer discounts on 5-session series. This has the dual benefit of saving money and helping with accountability.

Book online or by phone/text 207-558-2766.

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WHY ON EARTH DO YOU NOT TAKE TIPS?

4/24/2019

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Many people seem surprised that we do not take tips in our practice. While we recognize that the culture around massage in the United States often involves tipping, we don’t think it is necessary for us and here’s why.

It makes our relationship and communication more direct, and as a therapist that’s the kind of relationship we want to foster. The costs are clearly communicated and there’s no discomfort around price. We’ve seen therapists get bent out of shape about not getting tips (or enough) in other settings. We’ve also felt the discomfort of “Is this enough? Too much?” as the client. We don’t want to feel that way and we don’t want you to either.
We aim to provide a therapeutic service. As a massage therapist it makes sense that we would not take tips. We don’t tip for other therapeutic services (psychotherapy, medical doctor, PT) so why would we be different?
It makes budgeting easier. We know exactly how much we’ll be paid, you know exactly how much it will cost. This helps us to give the same service to all clients, regardless of their ability or willingness to pay.
We are the business owners. If we find that our rates aren’t competitive, we have the power to change the rate.

Our hope is that eliminating tipping makes things simpler and more accessible. We would love to be part of your wellness plan. Book online or contact us to set up an appointment.

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musings

Update on COVID-19

Massage, seated variety

Gifts and celeBration!

Consistency Works!

WHY ON EARTH DO YOU NOT TAKE TIPS?

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