HEALTH
“Lots of people called and disagreed,” he says. “ ‘We’re in
pain,’ they said. ‘You’re essential!’ ”
“I was used to doing massage for five-to-eight hours a
day,” Ross continues. “Sometimes it’s now two. I do personal
training also, but part of staying alive is staying active. I’m
open five days a week again, but not up to capacity.”
One problem, he says, are news reports. “People hear the
virus is on the rise and they get nervous.” While he wears
personal protection equipment, Hoffman leaves the matter of
wearing a mask during a session to the client.
Hoffman says people need an outlet; he uses an emotional
release technique that can help. Specializing in Structural
Energetic Therapy, which addresses body imbalances causing
discomfort in soft tissues, he stresses that he and his fellow
therapists have never “not been clean, we’re just more in
depth now.”
Sheets are kept in a separate, closed cabinet. He scrubs to
the elbows “like a doctor” and sanitizes all surfaces with a
germicidal cloth. Items that might encourage multiple people
touching them, such as magazines, have been removed. He
also uses a plug-in ozone air purifier.
As one recent reviewer posted on the Healthy Habits website,
“I feel so much better! … I also appreciate the COVID
safety guidelines you have in place. I will see you again soon!”
Also housed with Hoffman at Healthy Habits Massage
on Port St. Lucie Boulevard is Molly Fowler, who combines
relaxation and deep tissue techniques. Her microcurrent
therapy combines Western science with ancient Chinese
medicine to stimulate pressure points with discounts given to
public service workers, teachers and military.
NEW PROTOCOLS
Southern Salt Therapies was able to stay partially open
due to the salt halotherapy it offers for people with respiratory
issues, but it temporarily stopped offering massages and
facials. Owner Laura Barnes says they opened up in October.
“There’s a longer turnaround between clients for the
sanitation practices that have to be followed,”Barnes says. >>
34 Port St. Lucie Magazine
ELLEN GILLETTE
Relaxation areas such as this one at Fusion Aveda Salon & Spa are not in use, to ensure social distancing during the pandemic.
ELLEN GILLETTE
Molly Fowler is on the board of the local chapter of Florida State Massage
Therapists Association. She provides discounts to those who work in the
public sector, such as law enforcement officers and teachers.