Price Increase

Dear Valued Client, 

I have been a Massage Therapist for over 22 years now. I absolutely love what I do because there is always something new to learn. A compliment I often receive is that I do not rush. I apply this principle to my massage as well as to my intake with my clients. I do my best to get to know each of my massage clients in order to make sure that I am giving them what they need as well as getting a feel for their lifestyles and personalities. This way I can suggest changes that might help with their issues that are reasonable and attainable for them.

I am committed to continually improving upon my skill and have invested heavily in my continuing education above and beyond what is required to maintain my license in the state of Oregon.

I have many plans for the future and this includes developing a method that combines my skill as a Licensed Massage Therapist with my Certifications in Hypnosis, Meditation, Yogic Breathwork, and Hatha Yoga Instruction. These areas of study greatly complement the energetic knowledge gained after almost a quarter century of study and practicing Yoga in different forms; as well as the constant experimentation that has been needed to navigate and facilitate healing and growth in my own personal physical, mental, and emotional life. 

I hope to use this work both with my existing clients as well as expand into a role that is focused on uplifting humanity; especially in support of veterans, BIPOC, womens populations, and food sovereignty. This fall I will also be getting my certification as a Peer Support Specialist in order to help others break the cycle of addiction.

In addition to these areas of activism, I also want to continue to be able to improve the quality and efficiency of my work by adding to my massage repertoire through more continuing education and through the purchase of an electric lift table that will greatly extend my massage career and access different bodies more efficiently providing a more refined depth of touch. At this point in my career, protecting my body with this valuable tool is simply required. 

The covid-19 pandemic was extremely difficult for me both personally and professionally. As a result of changes to not only my personal situation but also my family's; it has become necessary for me to go from having a 14 minute round trip commute to one that is almost 1 ¼ hours. In addition to the cost of commuting to work (as you are most likely well aware), the costs associated with all aspects of doing business have been drastically inflated. I am faced with the decision to either raise my prices in order to simply cover the costs of doing business or discontinue and move onto something else. 

I must advocate for a raise for my own benefit but to also benefit less experienced Licensed Massage Therapists in the Mid Willamette Valley. The average cost of a massage in this area is close to what it was when I started out in the Seattle area 20 years ago. We are one of the few skilled trades where in addition to the cost of our initial training we are required to maintain continuing education, licensure, insurance, sanitation, rents, and technology yet scarcely make more than certain industries that require none of these things.  

The COVID pandemic has forced many seasoned Massage Therapists to leave the field long before their time. I am at a point in my career where I must be willing to command what my work and skill level is worth so as to encourage those with less time in their careers to also be willing to ask for what they are worth. This is needed in order to keep great therapists not only working in the field of massage but also mentoring others to elevate the industry as a whole. 
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I am announcing that a price increase is effective immediately. Many of you will only notice a slight difference in the out of pocket cost as the increase will add the Service Inflation Rate for August 2022 and reflect the elimination of tipping by adding in the standard tip percentage. In order to ease the transition, I am offering a limited time promotion of 15% off. There are a limited amount of these discounts available. Please use this code to take advantage of this offer.
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Thank you so much for your patronage!

Sincerely,
Ruby Buchanan
Licensed Massage Therapist #16233