Making it New(-ish)

Hello wonderful patients of Populace. How have you all been? I’ve thought of you guys this year, as life took me elsewhere.

This will be an unusually personal, stream of consciousness style blog post with the important logistical updates near the end of the page. Please feel welcome to skip to the practical details near the end, if you’re not one for the personal storytelling. Thanks so much.

Hope to see you soon,

Dr. Turner LMT DC

(541) 521-3090

Personal Update:

Well, as some of you now know, I unexpectedly suffered a “Right Vertebral Artery Dissection” this year. This led to a transient stroke, a traumatic brain injury, vagus nerve damage, and at least one clot or stroke with other lasting effects.

No one knows why these particular types of artery dissections happen, when they are spontaneous like this. They are considered very rare. If there was an external cause of injury it is unclear because commonly known risks were ruled out as ‘not applicable’ in my case. However, we all know that women’s health concerns are often unrecognized, under-reported and subsequently under-recorded in literature. So, grain of salt and all that.

Speculation aside, I am so relieved to still be here, alive and mostly intact. I am sometimes walking (with an aid), able to type this (with anti-glare/blue light blocking glasses, no deadlines or time limits, and a lot of rest breaks) and I’m getting good rehabilitative care.

I am utilizing herbal medicine to help the parts of my body that don’t currently function as well. And, I used to actually wonder why I paid for a foot massager haha. Now it is running daily, fulfilling its entire purpose in life. Yay for leg and foot circulation help.

Due to my ‘seemingly unprovoked’ arterial dissection, I may have to take blood thinners for the rest of my life. But that’s a small price to pay to still have a life and be able to walk in nature sometimes. Some people do recover well enough to opt out of the medication after a year, so we will see what the future brings.

Based on the symptoms during the stroke, it also seems I may have been experiencing interrupted circulation periodically, in the year leading up to the actual injury. That would explain a lot! But we can never know for sure and like I said, pheeewww I am glad to still be here.

As you can imagine, having unpredictable waves of brain injury symptoms means, I cannot currently commit in advance to longer periods of care, as I used to. That previous practice schedule is not possible or responsible, at this point in my recovery. So it’s time to adapt and develop into the next phase.

I have been brainstorming about how best to return to practice, if I might have to leave it altogether (I haaaaate that idea btw), or if I can teach for a while (which I love the idea of but haven’t set back up yet, and it involves a lot of admin which isn’t an option yet)…

But, when I sit back and think about it open-heartedly, the truth comes up again and again. What I miss and love most about bodywork is that it’s good for you guys, and good for me at the same time. Throughout my childhood and adult life I wanted a career that did that, and I found it. So if I can get back to hands on clinical treatment, in a safe and responsible way, that’s the best option for the next chapter of care at Populace Wellness.

So here’s what I’m focused on right now:

-Shorter care duration with carb snack breaks between patients. Carbs are so helpful in brain injury rehab.

-Fewer days of care offered. I don’t have the physical option to work 4-5 days a week right now, or on such deadlines.

-Less tech-based time. Computer use drains my endurance the fastest, while also creating functional disruptions that can last for days or weeks. But, I may experiment with HIPAA-compliant audio recording for intake exams at a later date. Stay tuned on that. (No AI notes will be used, ever).

-Opt in/opt out care format that is flexible by day. This means room to cut a session short or reschedule without surprising patients, charging only for time engaged in care. Aka, being able to say “My body is done for the day. See you next time”.

-Booking only from the returning, self-pay patients group, to accommodate the the other changes. This creates less admin time at intake (in more cases), and less computer time elsewhere.

-Fully dressed care for less laundry turnover time between patients. I personally enjoy cleaning, doing laundry and generally making rooms nice. However, I would rather put my limited endurance reserves into hands-on patient care, when choosing between one or the other. Clothed care means less blankets and sheets to wash.

-And finally, potentially hiring a bodywork assistant (a big ‘maybe’ at this point). An assistant would be present in session as needed, take care notes as I say them out loud, and help with clean up between patients as needed as well. This is not decided yet.

Okay, these are the important details you may have scrolled down for :)

While I’m in this stroke-rehabilitation era of life…

•”Drop In” style care days (aka pop ups) will be the format. Availability will be posted here, hopefully by noon on the day of care. Also, waitlist patients may receive a text offering availability. Instagram is still undecided, for notification options. We shall see. Admin is the most challenging task (stroke-wise), so the notification method will evolve as needed.

•Patients can get a spot on the sign up sheet once a pop up is announced on this blog or via patient waitlist text. The priority will be first come, first served. Spots will be clearly confirmed.

•Evenings and weekends may be back on the menu. Whenever I feel well enough to work, I will post an available care day with a time frame.

•A max number of people will be seen per day, with many short break periods between patients.

•There’s a set minimum duration of 10 min per person and a max of 30 minutes per person.

•Fully clothed care, as is common for Thai Massage Style bodywork, is the current standard at Populace. Patients will wear loose, flexible, relaxed yoga clothes that cover well and allow for movement/stretching/receiving care etc.

•Self-pay services only, at this time aka no insurance. I know that may be tough for some people. Insurance options will return if or when I am able to physically tolerate deadlines and insurance protocols again. Current ‘by the minute pricing’ is more cost-accessible than the previous long-form appointment options.

•The price: Drop in aka ‘pop up care’, by sign up sheet, is $2.89 a minute. You can choose one of 3 options: 1. massage 2. chiro, or 3. combination therapy, when attending a drop in/by the minute session.

•This drop in or ‘pop up’ style care is currently only available to returning patients, reducing intake and paperwork time in most cases. I will update this blog if/when new patient availability returns.

•I will not be posting these pop up (drop in) appointment types on the acuity scheduling website at this time. I will post here on the blog or send waitlist texts of availability to those who’ve opted in. You can text me the word ‘waitlist’ to be added. For people who want to try the drop-in option, I will also have a paper list that can be signed in on, at the Populace Wellness studio. Returning patients can add their name to any open spot on a pop up day. I can also add patients to the list via text, if I am available by phone when asked. I will text confirmation of your place on the list when available. If you are unsure of your place on the list, all returning patients can either wait for text confirmation or come check the list in person. I know it’s not a flawless system by any means but, we cannot book days in advance because I cannot plan that far ahead yet, physically. So we’re working with what’s possible now. You can text with questions. I will reply between patients or during available admin hours, when I am able.

•Masks are officially optional now, during care at Populace, unless you are symptomatic, ill or contagious. If you realize you are feeling ill, or are unsure if you might be ill, please pop that mask back on and head home until you’re well enough for bodywork :)

•Synopsis– Drop in care will be available for returning patients, via in-person sign up sheet and waitlist texting. Patients can try text-requesting a spot on the day of care, but I may be busy at the time. Checking the list in person, or receiving a confirmation text from me, are the only confirmations of a spot on each day’s sign up sheet. Pop up/drop in care is available to returning and current patients only, at this time. This is a self-pay option available during my stroke rehab period. This availability includes fully clothed manual therapy at $2.89 per minute, and a current maximum of 30 minutes per person. Patients can choose between the 3 options of massage, chiro or combination therapy for their drop-in visit. Please wear loose, flexible, yoga or tai chi-type clothes during your appt.

*These details may change or evolve as my ongoing physical rehab/stroke rehab needs dictate.

A Step by Step Guide:

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Watch for a “Care Day” pop up post on this blog (or via text).

You can also text me the word “waitlist” if you are interested in being on a text waitlist for pop up care days. Text (during business hours) is the preferred form of contact for Populace Wellness at this time.

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Choose one of these 3 options for your drop-in manual therapy visit:

1. massage therapy

2. chiropractic care

3. combination therapy

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Request a Duration:

For drop in care, 10 minutes is the shortest available duration. 30 minutes is the longest. This may vary as my endurance changes with time.

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Wait with kindness:

If you sign up for a drop in care day, please bring a book or some other means to wait quietly for your turn. We share the waiting room with our neighbors.

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Consent to this version of care:

Signing up for drop in care means, you understand that I will work as my body allows. I may have cut the day short, or reschedule as needed; even if there are still people on the list for the day. If this style is too inconvenient for you, I encourage you to wait for the return of long-form appointment styles, before resuming care at Populace Wellness. I very much hope to recover a pre-scheduled appointment capability, but am not able to commit to it at this time.

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Submit your payment:

Cash, Venmo and Paypal are acceptable methods for ‘time of service’ payments during pop up care. And, as long as you don’t need any further paperwork or admin. from me, I can also accept health savings account cards when applicable. Please inquire at the time of service or text with questions, if you hope to pay with an HSA card.

Some other info for the curious

*The ‘time of service’ cost is be based on current pricing (as set in 2021) and broken down by minute for easy calculation.

Examples of minute-based pricing: If you receive 15 minutes of focused care on your neck, that will cost $43.33. If you receive 30 minutes of drop in manual therapy on your back, the self-pay price will be $86.70 (no tip needed).

*I will announce the end of this physical rehab period here, via blog post, if and when we are able to resume previous appointment styles.

Wish me luck, and hope to see you soon,

Erin Rose aka Dr. Turner LMT DC

(541) 521-3090