
Meet Joanne

Joanne knew she wanted to become a massage therapist after she experienced life-changing benefits from her sessions as a client. First, after a car accident left her with chronic headaches and she was able to finally be free from them; and, later, when she was grieving the loss of her mother and the sessions helped her manage the stress.
When the impact of massage on body, mind, and spirit became clear, Joanne decided she wanted to help others the way her massage therapist had helped her. After nearly 20 years as a massage therapist, Joanne continues to be fascinated and inspired by bodywork, energy work and the phenomenon of healing. Joanne's specialty is a blend of relaxation, deep tissue and myofascial release massage to offer a restorative and relaxing session.
In her free time, she has an Etsy shop of handcrafted stationery, is fascinated by quantum physics and is interested in becoming a clinical herbalist.
Licensed to perform massage therapy in Massachusetts, Joanne is also a Reiki Second Degree (Okuden).
Joanne earned a BS in Journalism from Ithaca College in 1990 and graduated from Muscular Therapy Institute, Cambridge in 2000.
Education, Certifications & Memberships
• Licensed Massage Therapist, State of Massachusetts
• Massage Therapy Certification Program- The Muscular Therapy Institute
• BS in Journalism, Ithaca College
• Member of the ABMP-Association of Bodywork & Massage Professionals
Confirming Appointments
Appointment reminders are sent 48 hours in advance via email and 24 hours in advance via text unless opted out.
On the morning of your session, please self-screen. If you cannot confirm the following statements, please contact us immediately by calling or texting at 978-395-6690.
For these screening questions, you are considered fully vaccinated if you have received two doses of either the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines or a single dose of the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine more than 14 days ago.
I confirm that I, and those in my household, have not tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 14 days. Also, I, and those in my household, do not have a fever above 100.4°F, cold, flu, cough, sneezing, runny nose, loss of taste/smell, or any known COVID-19 symptoms and have not experienced any symptoms less than 24hrs before my appointment. Please note this includes sneezing or a runny nose possibly associated with allergies.
If I have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 14 days, I will not resume massage therapy for at least 5 days after my symptoms have resolved and I've received a negative at-home rapid COVID test. Alternatively, if I choose not to take a rapid test, I will wait 14 days after my initial diagnosis to resume massage therapy sessions.
I confirm that no one in my household is advised to be under quarantine due to exposure or possible exposure to COVID-19.
I confirm that I have not had close contact with someone suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 in the past five days.
If I am fully vaccinated and have traveled internationally or on a cruise ship in the last 14 days, I confirm that: I returned over three days before my appointment AND have received a negative result from an at-home rapid COVID test taken three or more days after my return.
If I am not fully vaccinated and have traveled internationally, on a cruise ship, or via airplane domestically, I confirm that: I returned at least 14 days before my appointment or I received a negative result from a lab-based PCR viral COVID test taken three or more days after my return.
I understand that I may be asked to wear a facemask during times of COVID outbreaks.
If this is your first visit to our studio after July 1, 2020, have you completed an Intake Form, as required?
There will be no cancellation charge for any appointment rescheduled due to illness by 8 am the morning of the appointment.
If you arrive exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms or cannot confirm the statements above, your therapist will refuse service and charge the full session fee to the card on file unless our staff cleared you before your arrival.
Face masks are Optional
Face masks are optional for guests in our studio. Your therapist will wear a facemask for your full session.
Creative Wellness may require face masks, with no advanced notice, if Brookline COVID-19 numbers increase or as recommended by the CDC or FDA.
PPE for Therapists
For your protection and ours, your massage therapist will wear a face mask and face shield, when appropriate, for the duration of your visit.
COVID-19 Vaccine
Our therapists, Jim and Minden, finished the initial double vaccination sequence on 3/15/21 and then received the traditional first booster (11/27/21), followed by the bivalent booster dose (11/21/22) as recommended by the FDA and CDC.
We do not require guests have the COVID-19 Vaccine, however based on 2023 guests, over 99% have had the inital sequence with many having booster shots. If you are considered high risk or the care giver of a high risk individual, please feel free to call our studio, if you have any concerns.
On Arrival
Upon arrival at the studio, please put on your face mask. Our door will be locked until 10 minutes prior to your arrival.
Do not arrive too early. Arrive at most 10 mins before your session. Otherwise our entrance may be locked.
Arrive on time, or we may need to reduce your time to avoid impacting the next guest.
We have hand sanitizer for you to use before and after your session.
You will be asked Covid-19 screening questions before the massage session starts.
No food will be allowed in the studio, and any beverages a guest brings will be limited to ONE sealable container.
Studio Capacity
The number of people in the studio will be limited to ONE client and one massage therapist. There will be NO FRIENDS OR FAMILY ALLOWED.
We ask that you ARRIVE ON TIME, as this will help manage the flow and ensure your safety and ours. Those arriving too early will be unable to enter the studio and may be asked to wait outside.
Air Purity
Air quality and filtering are essential at Creative Wellness, and we've chosen a combined method for enhanced safety.
Air Filtration: We've added extra-large room HEPA air purifiers to each lounge and treatment room. Each air purifier is rated for room sizes up to 465 square feet, and our largest treatment room is 216 square feet. The air purifier filters the air up to 5 times per hour. Research suggests air purifiers can reduce the risk of transmission of viruses similar to Covid-19.
Fresh Air: Our treatment rooms all have windows that open to the outside, and we've added dual-direction window exhaust fans to bring in the fresh air and move out room air.
Air Conditioners: Our A/C units do not transfer air between rooms. Our studio does not have an integrated HVAC system but rather stand-alone units for each room.
Time: We schedule a minimum of 30 minutes between sessions, with a more extended mid-day break. This allows enough time for the therapist to clean the treatment room and allows the room to rest before the next session.
Digital Payments and Rebooking
Creative Wellness is a paperless business. Your therapist will automatically charge your credit card on file, and you will receive an email receipt.
If you would like to pay cash or check or use a different credit card than the one on file, please let us know before your session.
If you schedule a follow-up appointment in our studio, you will receive an email and a text confirmation unless you opt-out of receiving these notices.
Things to keep in mind
Much of our cleaning and sanitizing protocols have not changed because we already had those in place before the pandemic. However, we have added extra cleaning and disinfecting time at the end of each appointment so our treatment room can "breathe" and be properly sanitized for the next guest. In addition, we are utilizing additional HEPA air purifiers, hospital-grade disinfectants, gloves, and more for everyone's safety in our office. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns before your next visit to our studio.
We look forward to seeing you soon!