COVID-19 Updates

I am now open again with regular hours (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays).

New Safety Standards and Policies:

In compliance with the City of Boston, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and Centers of Disease Control and Prevention infection control guidelines to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, I have put a lot of new policies and procedures into place to keep everyone safe.  These are subject to change as recommendations are updated.

High-Risk Groups: I recommend that anyone who is in, or cares for, or lives with someone who is in, a high-risk group take extreme caution when leaving their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please only request an appointment at CHA if you are dealing with something (other than COVID-19 and related symptoms) that needs immediate attention and, if left untreated, would lead to significant worsening of your condition. (High-risk groups include but not limited to: over 65 years old, heart disease, COPD, compromised immune system, type 2 diabetes).

Chi Harmony Acupuncture Office Policies during COVID-19 pandemic

CHA’s New 4-Step Environmental Safety Protocol

  • Prevention: Removal of table linens, upholstered chairs and other objects that are difficult to sterilize (sterilizable pillow coverings and bolsters will be used instead)
  • Disinfection: Thorough sanitizing of all possibly contaminated surfaces in-between every patient, including but not limited to table, face cradle, arm shelf, doorknobs, countertops, all surfaces that have come into contact with patients’ belongings
  • Air Filtration: Advanced Medical-grade HEPA air filters in each treatment room to prevent aerosol and droplet buildup (cleans air in the whole room every 15 minutes)
  • Surface Sterilization: UV-C light at least twice per day to sterilize all surfaces

All patients, while on the premises of CHA, must:

  • Wear a mask or face covering that covers your nose and mouth at all times, both in Suite 603 and in all other areas of the building (the only exception is when laying face down on the treatment table). Anyone who refuses to wear a face covering otherwise will not be able to receive treatment.
  • Have your temperature taken with a non-contact forehead thermometer upon arrival (anyone with a temperature of 100.4 F or above will be sent home immediately)
  • Maintain a distance of six (6) feet from other persons whenever possible.
  • Use hand sanitizer (provided for you on each floor of the building and within Suite 603) or wash hands for20 seconds before treatment, after using the restroom, and to maintain hand hygiene at other times.
  • Please do not arrive to your appointment more than 5 minutes early, to avoid contact with other patients.If you wish, you can text me from outside, and I will text you back when the room is ready for you.
  • Appointments will be spaced ≥ 15 minutes apart to allow time for sanitization and to minimize contact with others. Please leave promptly when your appointment time is up, to avoid running into others. You canuse the bathroom, but do not stop or linger in the waiting area, hallway or other areas of the facility.
  • Do not bring anyone else to your appointment with you, unless medically necessary (in which case, pleasenotify me in advance).
  • Only one person is allowed in the elevator at a time, according to building rules
  • Please wear or bring shorts to your appointment if access to your upper legs/hips is needed, and you arenot comfortable in your underwear, as I have removed all linens and will not have a sheet to cover you.
  • Notify CHA if you test positive for COVID-19, or COVID-19 symptoms develop, within 14 days of last visit

No-contact payments

Cash/Check: Still preferred method of payment. I have a secured box with a slot to drop your checks and cash in (please try to make checks out in advance and bring exact change to limit contact; otherwise I will still have change on hand, and will be sanitizing pens).
Credit Cards: I will no longer be requiring signatures. I also will have a bluetooth card reader in each room so you can just tap or swipe your card, or if you would prefer to pay in advance, you can text me for a link to pay online via Paypal (note: FSA/HSA cards cannot be processed via Paypal, so for these you can provide your card# via phone if you do not wish to pay in person).

Policies for possible Exposure to COVID-19 or recent Respiratory Symptoms:

Respiratory-related Symptoms:

If you have experienced any of the following COVID-19 related symptoms within the 14 days prior to any appointment, please stay home, even if you tested negative for COVID-19 (tests are not totally accurate):

  • Fever (100.4 F or above)
  • New cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Recent loss of taste and/or smell

If you developed 3 or more of the following symptoms in the last 48 hours prior to any appointment, stay home until these symptoms have fully resolved:

  • runny nose
  • sore throat
  • headaches
  • new muscle pain unless directly related to exercise or a physical injury
  • chills
  • fatigue or weakness
  • sneezing
  • watery eyes and/or sinus pain/pressure that is unusual and not related to seasonal allergies

Possible COVID-19 Exposure with Symptoms:

If you:
1) have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus,
2) are exhibiting any of the above COVID-19 related symptoms, or
3) have been told by a provider that you have, or probably have, COVID-19 even in the absence of a test or with a negative test result

Then please do not come in for an appointment until:

  • At least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and
  • Respiratory symptoms improved, and
  • At least 14 days have passed since symptoms first appeared -or- Negative results of two consecutiverespiratory specimens collected ≥24 hours apart

Possible COVID-19 Exposure without Symptoms

Due to the long incubation period of the virus, carriers may be asymptomatic while contagious, and antibodies can develop while a carrier is still contagious as well. Therefore, if you:

1) have had contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 virus OR antibodies (even if you did not test positive since); OR
2) you tested positive for COVID-19 virus OR antibodies but have not had any respiratory symptoms, OR
3) you have traveled outside of the USA to a country affected by COVID-19, or to another state within the USA that is not exempt from MA travel quarantine orders, within the last 14 days

Then you can come in for treatment only after:
At least 14 days have passed since the date of your first positive test (or the date of exposure to the otherperson, whichever came later), or since the date you returned from your trip (until Massachusetts self-quarantine restrictions are lifted) — assuming you have not subsequently developed symptoms 

– OR – 

Negative results of two consecutive respiratory specimens collected ≥24 hours apart

Pending COVID-19 Tests

If you, or someone you have been in contact with, are awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test, please do not come in until you get the results, at which time refer to the above for guidance as to when you can come in.

Please text or email with any questions/concerns. 

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!

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