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Northern Mandala is now located inside the Riverwalk Center in East Grand Forks, Minn. (211 Demers Ave, East Grand Forks)  It’s across the street from Cabala’s inside the Riverwalk Center (home of River Cinema).

Along with a spacious lobby and private bathroom, the new location allows for the expansion of future services and the opportunity to add an additional licensed massage therapist in the coming year. 

Parking is available on all sides of the building. The most direct access to my office is from the lot in between the Riverwalk Center and Boardwalk Bar & Grill. The most ample parking is in the back of the building. Through the back doors, you walk past several businesses, and my office will be down the first hallway on your right. I’m across from the smaller set of theatres. 

Sales Tax & Rate Update

The Minnesota Department of Revenue requires sales tax to be collected with massage therapy. Because of this, and to remain competitive, there will be slight increase in prices.  Each service will go up by $10.  

Memberships purchased prior to August 1, 2021, will remain at their current prices.  They will only see a price increase upon renewal. 

Prices available on the website or when you schedule online.

I’m excited to share this new location and look forward to seeing you soon!

How long should you wait to receive massage therapy after receiving the Covid-19 vaccination? Industry experts suggest at least two days to ensure any post-vaccination reactions have time to subside. If you have more flu-like symptoms after the vaccination, wait for massage therapy until after the symptoms subside. Read more from industry expert, Ruth Warner, here in the latest issue of Body Sense magazine from Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals.

DeAnn Gietzen, Licensed Massage Therapist, successfully completed the CE Summit hosted by the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professional.  The Summit, held over the course of three days, offered massage therapists from across the country the opportunity to learn from and interact with leading industry professionals. 

Gietzen successfully completed the following: 

• Massage Therapist’s Guide to COVID-19:  Pathology expert focused on current understanding of COVID-19, including the pathophysiology, communicability and complications of the infection.  Course included discussion on how to make safe, effective, evidence-informed decisions with clients

• Balancing the Shoulder: Practical Clinic: This interactive course provided four mini-sessions including visual assessment to treatment strategy to technique. It included techniques for balancing the myofacia of the shoulders, arms and hands. Participants learned to recognize ideal and compensated patterns resulting from shoulder issues.

• Plantar Foot Pain: Interactive session sharing insights about relevant anatomy, research, mechanisms, assessment, strategies and hands-on techniques for effective work with plantar foot pain.

• A Detailed Approach to General Neck Pain: Expert-led session discussing the most common complaint from clients: neck pain. Several techniques demonstrated to alleviate neck pain. 

• Addressing Health Disparities in Communities of Color with Wellness Approaches: Course highlighted the factors contributing to health inequalities for Black, Hispanic and Native American Communities and explored the role the wellness industry can play to address the inequalities.

• Presence, Boundaries and Emotional Resiliency: Industry leaders discussed the benefits of modifying definitions of boundaries, serving and what it means to be a health partner. 

• Touching Trauma: Participants engaged virtually to learn to work effectively and safely with clients experiencing trauma and empower them to use bodywork sessions as a tool in the healing process. 

• Connection and Courage in Times of Uncertainty: Industry-leading facilitator explored how to connect to others in ways that fill deep needs and how to have brave conversations when the outcomes cannot be controlled. 

The CE Summit was presented virtually over the course of three days with live and interactive sessions in an effort to support massage therapists and bodyworkers in their dedication to continually staying abreast of important topics in the industry. Regularly completing continuing education courses is a stringent licensing requirement of North Dakota Board of Massage Therapy and proves a therapists commitment to staying abreast of industry best practices and modalities.

DeAnn Gietzen is the owner and licensed massage therapist with Northern Mandala, LLC.  Northern Mandala has locations in Grand Forks and Minot, North Dakota.

Through a 750-hour training program at Josef’s School of Hair, Skin and Body, DeAnn received advanced training in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology and pathology. The course also included clinical practice, practical application and certification in CPR, first aid and AED. DeAnn has successfully completed the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards.  She is licensed in massage therapy by the state of North Dakota. DeAnn has also achieved Functional Movement Therapy Certification in Cupping and Muscle Flossing. Schedule your massage with DeAnn today.

Schedule your appointment online today.

Aligned with the North Dakota Smart Restart protocols for Personal Services announced by Governor Doug Burgum on April 28, Northern Mandala has planned to reopen starting May 4. At the same time, all wellness membership accounts will be reactivated.

Your care and wellness has always been my highest priority. It has always been my practice to use in-depth sanitation and hand hygiene procedures before and after every client.  Recently, I was given the opportunity to provide input into the enhanced protocols set out by the state of North Dakota.  A full list of Northern Mandala safety protocols are available online.  The following are a few new elements based on the ND Smart Restart guidelines that will add to your experience.

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): I will be wearing a mask during your session.  Per CDC guidelines, you are encouraged to wear a mask, however it is not required. Together we will evaluate your breathing comfort while laying face down.
• Advance Online Screening: All clients will be asked to complete screening forms online prior to appointment.  Those with fever in the last 24 hours, with respiratory or flu symptoms, sore throat or shortness of breath will have their appointment rescheduled without penalty. Those in contact with anyone in the last 14 days who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or with coronavirus-type symptoms will have their appointment rescheduled without penalty.
• Temperature Check: Upon arrival to your session, all clients may have their temperature checked to ensure it is under 100F.
• Linens and surfaces: As always, all linens and surfaces will be sanitized and disinfected prior to use. Additional time will be used between clients to ensure all surfaces meet expectations.

My schedule is now open for appointments. If you have any questions about the new procedures or schedule, or have questions regarding your membership account, please feel free to contact me at 218-791-0704 (call/text) or email dmariegietzen@gmail.com.

DeAnn Gietzen is the owner and licensed massage therapist with Northern Mandala, LLC, based in East Grand Forks, Minn.

Through a 750-hour training program at Josef’s School of Hair, Skin and Body, DeAnn received advanced training in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology and pathology. The course also included clinical practice, practical application and certification in CPR, first aid and AED. DeAnn has successfully completed the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards. She is licensed in massage therapy by the state of North Dakota.

Schedule your appointment online today.

After reviewing recommendations by national massage therapy boards, the CDC and trends of local and national leaders, it is with thoughtful consideration that all massage therapy sessions be suspended temporarily for Northern Mandala clients.  Your care and wellness is my highest priority. It has always been my practice to use in-depth sanitation and hand washing procedures before and after every client. At the same time, because of the nature of direct hands-on work with clients, it’s in the best interest to put sessions on hold for both Grand Forks and Minot locations.

Clients in the wellness program will continue to have all sessions honored in coming months. You may also take the option of deactivating your wellness membership until I re-open so you are not charged for sessions I’m unable to fulfill. Those with appointments scheduled in the coming days will be contacted to reschedule. For those of you who’d like to schedule in the coming weeks, my schedule is available online. I will work to be as flexible as possible to meet your needs. Thank you, in advance, for being flexible to this new and ever changing situation.

In the meantime, I plan to develop and distribute self-care online that you can use at home until your next session.

Thank you for understanding as we navigate these trying times. Your wellness is my priority.   Be well.

Time is precious and yet it slips away as the moments pass. We all make time for different things based on our current priorities.  And, usually, we tend to take care of ourselves last. We get caught in phrases like: After I mow the lawn, I’ll relax on the patio. Or, when that big project at work is perfect, I’ll take a vacation. Really, it can be anything:  Once I [insert any chore, etc.], I’ll take time for myself.

We see the signs all around us of things to be done to improve something else. When was the last time we really took a look at the signs meaning that we need a little recharge and rejuvenation in our lives? The signs are more simple than you think.

You’re stressed. 

Work, kids, relationships, family, money. Any number of things cause stress and it can make you feel frustrated, angry, or nervous. Short bursts of stress can be positive helping you avoid danger or meet a deadline. Long-term stress, however, can be harmful leading to lack of energy or focus, frequent aches and pains, or causing chronic diseases. During stress, our bodies produce more cortisol which triggers

inflammation. Studies have shown a significant decrease in cortisol levels after massage therapy leading to great health and wellness benefits.

You’re not getting enough sleep.

At rest, your body is best fit to recharge itself. Plenty of sleep is important for learning and memory, weight control, mood, health and safety. Lack of sleep leads to errors in judgement or even clumsiness. Massage increases production of the serotonin hormone which also increases the melatonin in our systems and improves our ability to sleep.

You have neck, shoulder, hip or back pain.

Find yourself grabbing your neck, wincing when you turn your head one direction, or struck by a twinge of pain when you get up to walk after sitting for long periods? A short-term effect of massage therapy is an increase in endorphins, our bodies’ natural pain-killer.  A long-term benefit is how our muscles are stretched during massage which leads to the reduction of overall tension.

You’re putting extra stress on your body.

Does your job require you to lift heavy things?  Or, you have a small child needing to be carried. Maybe you or stand for long periods of time. The simple act of our joints carrying our body weight in one position for extended time adds stress to joints. Or, you could have started a new work-out routine or taken up a hobby such as golf or cross-country skiing. These can add stress to areas of your body are not usually worked. Massage can stretch and relax these muscles reducing the tension you feel.

You’re feeling down.

During massage, cortisol levels are lowered in your body. At the same time, serotonin levels are increased leading to your body’s ability to reduce anxiety and feelings of sadness.

Regular headaches have become a thing in your life.

There are so many potential causes of headaches: stress, lack of sleep, muscle tightness. The list goes on. Not only does massage help relieve headache pain by enhancing relaxation, it can also prevent headaches from occurring.

You haven’t had one in over a month.

Maybe you’ve never had a massage at all.  A 60-minute massage is only 4% of your day.  Try this perspective: in an average month, that 60-minute massage only accounts for .01% of the month.

These are just a few of the many signs meaning you should take time for a massage. Most of all, you deserve it.

DeAnn Gietzen is the owner and licensed massage therapist with Northern Mandala, LLC, based in East Grand Forks, Minn.

Through a 750-hour training program at Josef’s School of Hair, Skin and Body, DeAnn received advanced training in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology and pathology. The course also included clinical practice, practical application and certification in CPR, first aid and AED. DeAnn has successfully completed the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) offered by the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards.  She is licensed in massage therapy by the state of North Dakota. Schedule your massage with DeAnn today.

Schedule your appointment online today.