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Policy Statement

Goals

Myofascial Release Falls Church (legal business name: Elements of Wellness, LLC) is a therapeutic practice offering Myofascial Release and Craniosacral Therapy. My goal is to provide a safe and secure environment for all my clients. Everyone is treated with the highest level of care, respect, modesty and compassion. Ultimately, every visit should be a positive experience. If you have specific goals or areas of concern, please discuss them with me before, during, and/or after your session. I am here to support your journey, and two-way communication is an important part of our work together. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I would be happy to discuss a treatment plan that suits your needs.

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I treat adults only (18 & older). Please do not book an appointment for a child or teen. 

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I am not certified to perform pre or post natal bodywork.

 

Expectations

While these services contribute to relaxation and an improved state of well-being, they are not intended to replace medical diagnosis and treatment. It is recommended that you consult your physician regarding any illness you may have. I do not diagnose illnesses, nor do I recommend diets, medical treatments or supplements.

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Services provided at Myofascial Release Falls Church are for the purpose of relaxation, stress reduction, relief of muscular tension, and structural balancing. If at any time you experience any pain or discomfort during the session, please tell me immediately. I will stop the session and we will talk about your concerns. I will either change the pressure or method, or if necessary discontinue the session.

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I am not a medical doctor. I do not diagnose a condition or “fix” a problem. Bodywork and energy work should not be construed as a substitute for medical examination, diagnosis, or treatment. I am here to support you in your goals regarding your overall well being.

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I require all my clients fill out a health history form before the start of the initial session. All information provided is kept confidential. If anything changes in the condition of your health and/or you are seeing a different health practitioner, I will need to know before we begin our next session. If necessary, I will request to speak with any and all medical professionals who are providing you with care in order to determine if the therapy is contraindicated. A copy of the client health history form is posted on my website, or I can provide a copy before your appointment. As with any type of therapy, follow up sessions are encouraged. Although symptoms can be addressed during a single session most chronic conditions require consistent sessions.

 

Your Session 

I offer 60-minute and 90-minute sessions for Myofascial Release (MFR), and 60-minute sessions for Craniosacral Therapy (CST). I also offer a 90-min MFR + CST combination session. Please see my website for explanations of each type of service I offer. 

 

Each treatment session consists of two parts. First, I will conduct an intake to discuss your current health status, your health concerns, your goals for the session and how we can meet your goals. During your initial session, the intake will take anywhere from 5-10 minutes. Subsequent intakes should take approximately 5 minutes. The remainder of the time is dedicated to the specific modality you would like to receive.  Please let me know if you have any sensory sensitivities.

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Myofascial Release (MFR) is generally performed while the client is dressed in beach or gym attire. Men can wear loose fitting gym shorts with or without a tank top. Women can wear a two piece bathing suit, or loose fitting gym shorts and a tank top or sports bra. If you do not have the appropriate attire, you can be treated with the use of a drape to protect your modesty. Prior to the session, I will conduct a brief visional postural assessment to determine any structural imbalance(s). MFR uses a slow sinking pressure into the barrier of restriction followed by a sustained stretch for approximately 3-5 minutes (or longer). This sustained pressure allows the connective tissue (aka fascia), to relax and release. There can be a period of therapeutic pain, however, please communicate with me during the session so I can adjust the pressure to suit your comfort. There is no use of oil or lotion during MFR. Clients should refrain from applying any personal oil or lotion prior to the session. MFR can be applied to any area of the body.

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Health Status

Please be forthcoming concerning your current health status, to include diseases, acute and chronic conditions, cold, flu, bacterial infections, viruses, etc. There are some conditions that are contraindicated for bodywork. Please let me know if you currently have bruised areas, open wounds, breaks in the skin, rashes or a recent burn. If you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, recent surgery or fractures please consult your physician before receiving bodywork. I reserve the right to contact your physician or request written consent before we begin or schedule a session.

 

In the event you experience a health emergency and require immediate medical attention, I will call 911 immediately followed by the emergency contact individual you provided on your health information form. If necessary I am trained to administer First Aid and CPR. I will stay with you until medical personnel arrive.

 

Scheduling

Contact me directly via email or phone to set up your initial appointment. After our email/phone consult, I will book a session for you and send you confirmation. Following our initial appointment, we can discuss possible follow up sessions. We must both be in agreement concerning continuing therapy, as well as frequency of treatments. 

 

Treatment sessions are 60 and 90 minutes in duration. This does not include the intake and check out process. For first time appointments please plan to arrive 5-10 minutes prior to your scheduled time and be prepared to discuss your goals and any pertinent medical information. If you feel you have complex health issues and/or questions please contact me prior to your session so we can set up a time to discuss. I will either request a phone consult prior to our session or ask you to arrive more than 10 minutes prior to your session. This is for first time as well as recurring appointments.

 

Payments

Payment is expected following treatment. It is not necessary to add gratuity. This is supportive healthcare, not a service. Please do not give more than the current rate. I accept credit card, checks and cash in the office only (no online payments are accepted). I have small change in the office, but exact cash payments are appreciated. Credit card payments are processed through Square. A charge to "Myofascial Release Falls Church" will appear on your credit card statement. Sensitive account information will not be stored. Email receipts are provided (optional). Checks are also accepted. Please make checks payable to: “Tara Ellen”. There is a $25 fee for returned checks as a result of insufficient funds. 

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Military & Veteran Discount

I offer $15 off a session for U.S. active duty military and U.S. military veterans (includes spouses and partners). Discounts cannot be combined with series therapy session rates. When you book a session online the confirmation email will display the regular session rate.  At the time of your appointment let me know your status and I will apply the discount when you pay. No proof is necessary. I trust you are being truthful if you tell me you are eligible for military/veteran discount.  â€‹

 

Late arrival/Cancellations/No Shows

Please ensure you arrive on time for your appointment. If you are running late please contact me immediately. I understand about unexpected occurrences and the heavy traffic volume in the Northern Virginia area. I ask that you respect our arrangements and leave enough time to arrive for your scheduled appointment. If you are running late and I can adjust the appointment time to accommodate you, I will do so. If the appointment cannot be adjusted then the session time will be the remainder of the hour once you arrive. If you are running late but prefer to cancel the appointment instead of receiving a shorter session, you may do so, but will be required to pay the full amount for the scheduled session. 

 

Please contact me as soon as possible if you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment. I have a 24 hour cancellation policy. If you cancel with less than 24 hours notice you will be charged the full rate of the session. I am very understanding about unexpected life challenges, such as health issues, family emergencies, or severe weather. If you are feeling sick the day of your appointment, please contact me as soon as possible. Receiving a session when you are not feeling well will only make you feel worse. You will not be charged for a same day cancellation due to illness. If you simply do not show up for your session, I will wait 15 minutes after our scheduled session time and then contact you. If I cannot reach you I will leave a message and continue to try to contact you. No shows are required to pay the full amount for the session. 

 

Ethics & Conduct

It is my duty as a licensed massage therapist to uphold a code of ethics. I am dedicated to providing the highest quality of care to those who seek my professional service.

 

Anyone under the age of 17 will not be seen without a parent or guardian present in the treatment room.

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I have zero tolerance for sexual misconduct. My space is a therapeutic environment and I strive to support your overall well being. If any sexual advancements or language is used, the session will be terminated immediately and payment will be rendered for the full session amount.

 

Satisfaction

My goal is to provide the highest level of satisfaction during your visit. If you are not satisfied with the services received or if your goals were not met for that session, please discuss this me during and following the session.

 

Privacy

Any treatment or information shared during your session will be held in the strictest confidentiality. All information discussed will not be disclosed to a third party unless forced to do so through legal action. In certain circumstances I may ask your permission to contact your primary physician or other healthcare provider regarding a pertinent medical condition in order to give you the most appropriate level of care.

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