Contact Wellness LLC - Gretchen Sass, LAc

09/01/2023

Keep this bridge work in mind when planning your travel north!

From WSDOT - Upcoming work happening on northbound I-5 south of Woodland and La Center. Significant delays are expected.

Starting at 9 p.m., Friday, Sept. 8 and continuing for two months, WSDOT will have an around the clock traffic shift in place for work to repair the northbound span of the I-5 North Fork Lewis River Bridge, near the Clark and Cowlitz county lines.

Here's what to expect during this work:
• Traffic will shift from three down to two narrow travel lanes approaching the bridge.
• Speed limits have been reduced throughout the work zone.
• Half of the bridge deck will be repaired at a time – creating a safer work zone for contractor crews.
Some additional information:
• Project hotline: 360-905-1599
• News release: https://wsdot.wa.gov/about/news/2023/two-months-critical-bridge-deck-repairs-northbound-i-5-near-woodland-begins-sept-8
• Project webpage: https://wsdot.wa.gov/construction-planning/search-projects/i-5-nb-sb-north-fork-lewis-river-bridge-bridge-deck-repair-overlay

08/21/2022

For those of you who don't know, last year I started a doctoral program and finished it in April of this year. My degree of Doctorate in Traditional Chinese Medicine (DTCM) was conferred in May 2022 and I could start calling myself a Dr. at that time.... which cracks me up to no end.

And today, if I were there in California, I would be part of the commencement ceremony for the graduating classes from Five Branches University. I'd be dressed in full regalia and picking up my diploma. I chose not to take the time or spend the money to go and am watching online instead. I sort of hate graduations so it is perfect for me.

As I continue forward in my life I will continue to learn and hone my skill as a provider and bring my best for my patients. Love to you all!

11/21/2020

As we go into this holiday week, I am so very aware of my feelings of thankfulness for all of you. Thank you for sharing yourselves with me. In these uniquely challenging times together we determine how we approach the future. I will be doing it with as much care, love, and safety as I can. Please join me. Let's be thankful for our gifts and even these challenges as we enjoy good eats and spend quality time, even if only virtually, with our friends and family. ❤️

06/05/2020

I have re-opened my online booking for Tuesdays - Fridays for acupuncture appointments. Call the clinic or contact me if you have a day or time that doesn't seem available because there are more options for appointments than show online. And, FYI, due to my disinfecting procedures I won't be overlapping people the same way I was before. 😷🙂😷

05/18/2020

Hello! After a 3 day "shake out" period of my safety protocols, I'm ready to open up tomorrow!

What you'll notice:
Furniture has changed and is moved around to easily manage cleaning and the social distancing that is needed. We no longer have a swipe machine for payment, we'll be using a touchless system going forward. We'll all be wearing masks! (I have masks for you if you don't have one with you.) I'll be wearing scrubs! You will be subjected to some COVID screening each time you come in the clinic.

What you should know:
At the moment, Charlie will be working at home. There are many many things being done behind the scenes to disinfect and keep us all safe. Some are visible and some are not. If you want to know the specifics, please ask, I'm happy to share our protocols, they are based on current best practices and can be updated or changed as the situation changes. Of course, we will follow all local, state, and federal guidelines on staying open and staying safe.

I looking forward to seeing everyone. My heart has been warmed by your notes and messages through our shut down. The practice wouldn't be the same without YOU!!!

This week the schedule is already full so if you are interested in an appointment, please give us a call and if we miss you, Charlie will call you back. 💜

05/04/2020

Alrighty Pretty People!

Tomorrow, Charlie will begin calling everyone we canceled in March to get you back on the books starting with appointments May 19th. After the majority of those people get scheduled, the rest of you can get put on the schedule. Online booking may remain turned off for awhile to see if my new procedures are working. For now, I will only work 3-4 days/week and am coming from the point of view that we probably need to remain flexible. We will follow best practices in the clinic as well as governmental regulations.

Wearing a mask is now required to be in the clinic. You will have your temperature and oxygen level checked upon arrival. You will be asked a bunch of covid screening questions. For now, no kids/spouses/pets will be allowed to be in the clinic unless they also have an appointment. If there are issues with any of these items we will discuss them and please know, I have some pretty strict guidelines for safety and I will be following them.

I'm soooo looking forward to seeing everyone, I've missed you all! 💜

04/29/2020

Based on what the governor said today, I think I will be making some decisions on Friday regarding when I can start scheduling in person appointments. I have been researching extensively and purchasing items as I anticipate how to safely open and treat people. My goals will be to keep all of us as safe as we can be while still being able to treat you effectively.

My telehealth attempts haven't been very successful and that is lower on my priority list than in person treatments anyway.

Be well!

04/09/2020

Hello there everyone! Just wanted to give an update on what I've been up to during these covid-y times. I am currently healthy and well and I am hoping all of you are continuing to be healthy as well. Allergies are not good at all, grrr pollen!

I am slower getting my telehealth platform up and running than I'd like. I've been busy working on all the small business survival things and don't have as much bandwidth for new stuff. It will happen tho, I promise!

I am missing being in contact with all of you. This is by far the longest I've ever been away from the clinic in over 11 years. As always, feel free to contact me through whatever means we've communicated in the past.

I've been working on keeping my anxiety within reason by using exercise/movement, limiting tv, meditation, breathing, and maintaining social contacts. I'm looking forward to hearing how you are managing your own anxiety!

Have a Happy Easter and take care of yourselves!!! 💜

03/29/2020

Exciting News!

I'll be rolling out some TELEHEALTH options for everyone sometime next week. I'm in the process of setting it up and will notify everyone when it's ready to roll.

I'm looking forward to checking in and offering whatever support I can in the form of self care, acu pressure, herbal/supplements, lifestyle stuff like exercise and diet, along with meditation/yoga suggestions.

And I promise, it'll be less creepy than this graphic!

03/23/2020

How are you all doing? I'm doing my best to stay socially distant and yet, don't want to be so distant you don't reach out. I'm happy to interact via FB for quick check ins or any support you may need. I'm just a few clicks away!

Let me know how I can help!

03/17/2020

I am in the process of canceling all acupuncture appointments until further notice. I have called a number of you directly and hope to speak with the rest of you tomorrow.

I did not come to this decision lightly and I think it is the safest, smartest decision for me given what we know right now about this virus.

Over the last 2 weeks I have implemented stringent standards of cleaning and disinfectant procedures. I have been limiting the amount of time touching each person. I dropped certain treatments like cupping because they have a longer time of contact with whoever I am treating. All of these with the thought that if I could control these items there was very low risk to you and to me. I still think this is true.

However, the variable I can not control is whether I or you have been infected 2 days, 2 hours, or 2 minutes before and we have no idea because there would be no symptoms. There are known ways of transmission of the Corona Virus and then there are unknown modes of transmission. This creates an unreasonable danger to all of us.

What should we do? Self isolate as well as we can. Wash our hands. Drink plenty of fluid. Eat good food. Get good sleep. Keep stress under control. Take whatever immune boosting supplements you've taken in the past. For myself, I tend to use Vit D3 5,000iu each day, EmergenC, Zinc lozenges.

If you feel ill contact your doctor to come up with a treatment plan. If you become very ill get to the appropriate level of care - Urgent or Emergency.

I will continue to be available via FB messenger, email gretchen@contactwellness.com, or phone if you need a pep talk or assistance in any way. I might even figure out some way to do little mini classes or some sort of virtual something who knows!

Let's ride this weird ride we are on, I want us healthy and well rested on the other side!

Fondly,

Gretchen

03/01/2020

There are some simple everyday precautions that may help prevent the spread of all types of respiratory viruses - including Covid-19 (based on what we understand about it currently).

● Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
● Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
● Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60%-90% alcohol if soap and water are not available. COVID-19 can transmit through both respiratory droplets and via stool, so careful hand washing is critical.
● Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw it in the trash can. Cough or sneeze into your elbow and not your hand if you do not have a tissue available. If you contaminate your hand and then touch other objects, you will spread the virus. If you are sick, to keep from spreading respiratory illness to others, you should
● Stay home when you are sick with respiratory disease symptoms. At the present time, these symptoms are more likely due to influenza or other respiratory viruses than to the COVID-19 related virus.
● Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
● Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Other actions you can take that can meaningfully support your health and ability to fight illness:
● Get good sleep, and prioritize your self-care. Sleep is critical to optimal immune function. If you are sleep-deprived, you are not at your peak immunity.
● Eat nutrient-rich foods, and prioritize a healthy diet. Your diet provides building blocks used by your immune system to fight illness. Without those resources, your immune system will be weaker.
● Talk to your doctor about optimizing your vitamin D, zinc, and vitamin C levels. These nutrients are particularly important for optimal immune function and may be depleted in the typical diet, and in the winter depending on location.
● Stay hydrated. Water is at the foundation of our health. Clean/filtered water consumed regularly helps keep our whole system functioning optimally, including our immune systems.
● Don’t panic! An outbreak is scary, but most people will experience COVID-19 as a mild illness. Prolonged, toxic stress inhibits immune function, so whether it is fear about the virus or excess stress at home or work, do what you can to give your system a break and restore. Exercise, acupuncture, nutritional and herbal supplements recommended by your healthcare practitioner, qigong/tai chi, yoga, meditation, or whatever your “go-to” to unwind must take priority now.

These are not luxuries! Take care of yourself.

02/25/2020

Just a little PSA... Never ever allow anyone to needle you through your clothing. This picture is from a chiropractic office in a different part of the country and is standard practice for them. Not good!

02/23/2020

This is a great graphic with some good info. As we go from winter into spring, watch for any changes that occur. And keep a check on that anger/irritability! We chat about this at your next appointment.

Great graphic 🥰
Found it on Instagram

01/28/2020

FYI - Acupuncture can be a secret weapon against nausea!

Stress, pregnancy, vertigo, anesthesia, or chemotherapy can be typical causes of nausea and I can treat all of them. Acupuncture is offered in many major oncology centers because it has been shown to help with anticipatory nausea and nausea as a side effect of chemotherapy.

The next time you’re feeling queasy, it's easy, give me a call!