Ways to Decrease exposure and boost your immune system

With the growing threat of Coronavirus (COVID-19) across the world, it is important for our students and practitioners to do everything they can to keep themselves and their families healthy. In this article, I will discuss the risk associated with your animal massage business, ways to decrease exposure and how to boost your immune system.

What is the Risk Associated with Working with Animals?

The risk is low. At this time, there is no evidence that animals can become carriers of COVID-19. Therefore the social isolation protocols that are being implemented for people, do not apply to animals. It is safe to touch, handle and work on animals. The biggest concern will be limiting contact with the animal's owners. I suggest recommending that clients drop off their animals with you and pick them up when the session is completed or later in the day (with equine clients, just maintain a 6-10 ft distance from the owner). Since the virus remains viable on surfaces (could possibly include massage tools, leashes, dog bowls, etc), it is important to sanitize everything after each use and wash your hands thoroughly. Obviously if an owner or practitioner has symptoms of COVID-19 or has been diagnosed with the virus, you should discontinue all contact. Sanitizing equipment and implementation of distancing yourself from the animal's owners will allow you to safely continue your animal bodywork practice. 

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How to Minimize Exposure

• Have owners drop off pets rather than staying during session
•  Minimize or stop house visits
• Wash hands thoroughly and more frequently
  

• Sanitize all tools and equipment after each use
• Do not touch or stand close to an animal's owner when interacting with them

Since most gatherings, including clinics, seminars and workshops are canceled, consider furthering your education through online educational courses during this time.

Boost Your Immune System

Many of our practitioners utilize modalities on their animal patients that can be used on themselves during this time to help boost their own immune system.

Use your cold laser to stimulate acupuncture points that boost immune function.
CV 8, CV4, CV6, EX-B3, ST36 to dispelling cold and removing dampness, nourishing spleen and stomach, improve the Immune System. Stimulate each point 3-5 minutes, once per day. 
Haven't purchased a cold laser yet? Click here to view the laser I use. Use the coupon code ANGELIQUE at checkout for $20 off.

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​Essential oils have been proven to be antimicrobials. 
Use of essential oils such as tea tree, eucalyptus and thyme have been shown to be effective against viruses (view full article here). Remember when using essential oils, it is important to purchase high quality oils and dilute them using a carrier oil before use.

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High quality nutrition and supplementation can greatly increase immune function. Eliminate "junk" food from diet and replace with fresh produce and quality proteins. Minimize intake of sugary, caffeinated and artificially sweetened drinks and replace with water. The following supplements have been shown to boost the immune system: Vitamin D3, Echinacea, Vitamin C, Elderberry and Probiotics.

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​Take time to destress. Stress is a huge factor when it comes to disease susceptibility. Take time every day to play with your dog, pet your cat, ride your horse, get some sun and fresh air, red a book and do the things that make you happy! 

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Learn About Our Online Animal Bodywork Courses