Get Your Spring Re-feng Shui On!

Its Spring! ...and getting on towards summer.
Recently I have been talking with many folks about new spring exercises and getting in shape for the summer....yep, I'm working on getting in shape for the summer too. And then there is the dreaded spring cleaning....

But every spring, I engage in Spring Re-feng Shui. Its different kind of spring exercise and spring cleaning. Its not just personal diet changes and cleaning out cobwebs that have gathered over the winter, but re-researching and changing business and household services and exercising my ability to move around furniture, pair down excesses, add in self care, and simplify my daily doings.

If you are not familiar with the term,Feng Shui (pronounced fung shway), is an eastern concept that refers to the ease of energy movement around and through all things like a stream through a landscape.

My Spring Re-feng Shui changes include daily routine, services, and self care.

Start by looking at your daily routine. This isn't about judging, but honestly note down things like: *electronics used,
*obstacles in your path,
*a feeling of 'if I did this differently I could...',
*things that cause you to lose your calm or make you irritated
...in the following activities: waking up in the morning, getting dressed, morning meal (?), morning exercise (?), out the door, and off to work.

Perhaps you could automate your lighting in the morning with timers to help you get a better start, or set out things the night before.Something as simple as adding a small, high protein meal in the morning can curb sugar cravings throughout your day.

Repeat this for each section of your day for morning, noon, and night. If you can make at least one change in one area, that is great. If you can make one change in each area, then you are really on a roll.

As far as services, for both personal, and business (especially for the business owners), with all the advancements in technology, are you using the best value service for you (or your company)? Its not always about the cheapest service. I recently changed phone services to one that was $5 more expensive per month, but if I had added all the features that are included with the new service to the service with the old company, the added charges would have been $10-15 more expensive per month. The new service adds features that reduce my time spent checking messages with voice-mail to text, and direct calls to the person best qualified to answer instead of ringing everyone's phone, or just one person getting all the calls, and has a nicer automated greeting that is customizable.

Loyalty to a service company that is not serving you well, or is just not a good fit, will cause extra effort, expense, and/or stress. Change can be difficult, but knowledge that you have looked at your options and have picked the best fit for:
*phone,
*internet,
*credit card processing,
*web hosting,
*utility services,
*etc
...will bring about a better peace of mind.

And last, but not least, self care comes under scrutiny. Diet and exercise are usually what people think of first, but I also include hygiene routine, posture, self time, and appearance.
Here again look at each of these items, but it is about looking for optimization. Leave judging for folks who enter pageants and contests.
On each of the above noted items including diet and exercise, note:
*if things are easily accessible,
*you feel rushed or skip something to 'save time',
*are unhappy with or don't care how something looks/feels/tastes,
*if you have received feedback either positive or negative from other people,
*feel like "I should be able to...."

Get friends to take pictures or use a 180/360 degree mirror to look at yourself from all sides. Look in your closet/drawers and bring out things that don't fit, or that don't get worn and make space for things that you want to wear and that make you appear more healthy and successful.

Schedule in time for yourself: a massage, exercise, reading time, cooking time, etc monthly, weekly, or even daily.

I recently went to a friends house for a barbeque, and got enlisted to help cook (it was fun), and I needed some spices to season. When I saw her spice rack, it was so very different my own spice cupboard, I realized just how much my own spice collection has changed over the last few years as I learned new cooking styles, and how to cook new foods. The little changes accumulate and produce a big overall change that may not be as apparent in the beginning, but lead to a richer experience.

Many times we continue to deal with less than ideal situations that cause us undue stress, when the solution is relatively simple. Take these Spring Re-feng Shui tips and look at your own situation and see if you can spot just one or two little things that you can make changes to. Regular yearly application of these tips can lead to profound changes in your doings and bring about a less stressed you!

Dragonfly FAQs

Does Dragonfly do outcalls?

For massage, yes. For one client, the minimum time is 90minutes. For 2 clients, each client can get 60 minutes each, with back-to-back appointments.



For acupunture, yes, but only for a minimum of 4 or more clients at one location.

How do I schedule an appointment?Our online scheduler will show you all of our availability making it easy to book an appointment days or weeks in advance.
Only have time today? Call us during regular business hours and we will do our best to accommodate you with the times we have available. Before or after business hours, contact us via our website at www.dragonflyaustin.com/contactus.html

Is my appointment confirmed?

All appointments made online will receive an email confirmation and reminder notice will also be sent 24 hours prior to your appointment.


If for some reason we need to reschedule you, or your therapist is unavailable last minute, we will contact you as soon as possible by the information you provide us.

We do our best to be compassionate and understanding if you have emergencies, and we appreciate your understanding when life happens for us too.Online appointment scheduling is available 24 hours a day for your convienence at http://www.dragonfly.genbook.com/
Or call us during regular business hours at 512-364-0897.


I just have a question....Contact us via our website before, after or during business hours at www.dragonflyaustin.com/contactus.html

Insurance FAQs

We, at Dragonfly Wellness Center, do not bill insurance for you, but our services may be covered under your health insurance policy, PIP for auto insurance, liability from another driver's auto insurance, or may be reimburseable by your HSA.

Due to current insurance practices, we are not looking to bill insurance on your behalf for the forseeable future. Insurance companies will often delay payment or deny partial or entire payment when the service provider bills your insurance on your behalf. You are your insurance company's customer and it is in their best interest to reimburse you for covered medical expenses.

Most HSAs will reimburse for acupuncture and medical massage or preventative maintenance massage.

For your insurance to cover the services, you will need a diagnosis by a recognized western medical professional.

The services we can provide include Acupuncture, Herbs, Medical Massage, maintenance massage, and Muscle Therapy.

You will need to verify your insurance prior to treatment, pay for your services at the time of service, and submit a bill to your insurance company for partial or full reimbursement depending on your insurance policy.

Insurance usually only covers massage services that are used for therapy similar to physical therapy, not spa-like massage services. Your doctor will prescribe a treatment plan that is limited to treating your immediate condition diagnosed by the doctor and will end when the prescription is completed.
Insurance currently only covers massage therapy for conditions in which mobility and function of your body is impaired, such as spinal injuries, pulled muscles, pinched nerves, bursitis, conditions like carpel tunnel syndrome or muscle injuries. Relaxation massage, massage for muscle soreness, or pain without loss of function usually will not be eligible for reimbursement by insurance.

To verify your insurance benefits prior to treatment, you will need to call your insurance company. Often the phone number you will need is located on the back of your insurance card.

To reduce future problems, it is very highly recommended that you write down the answers to each of the following questions as you ask your insurance company the following questions.

1. Time and Date of call

2. Name of Representative

3. What are my massage therapy benefits?

4. Do I need a prescription for massage therapy services?

5. What are my acupuncture benefits?

6. What are my benefits for muscle therapy?

7. What is the insurance companies definition of 'medically necessary'? (note: it may be listed in the rehabilitation section of the policy)

8. Does massage therapy need to be medically necessary?
9. Does a diagnosis code need to be given when submitting a bill?

10. Is massage for preventative maintenance covered?
11. Does the prescription need to come from a primary care physician or can it be from a chiropractor, Naturopath, or Acupuncturist?
12. How many massage sessions are allowed per year? Is there a maximum time allowed per session?

13. How many acupuncture sessions are allowed per year? Is there a maximum time allowed per session?

14. Are the massage benefits part of a combination of rehabilitation benefits that include other modalities such as physical therapy or acupuncture? If so, how many sessions are allowed per year? As a combo, is there a maximum time allowed per session total?

15. Is there a co-pay or co-insurance?

16. What is the plan deductable? Has this been met for the year?

17. What is the remaining deductable amount, if any?

Intellegent Massage

Massage has many facets and aims. Often different techniques have vastly different aims. For example, Swedish is  primarily for circulation but it also has a relaxing effect, Rolfing is for working on emotional energy trapped in muscle tissue but it also works structure to a lesser degree, and various forms of deep tissue are primarily used for muscular structure rebalancing with a pain relieving side effect.

Using any technique for other than its intended purpose can be more than ineffective, it can be extremely dangerous. Just as you shouldn't share prescription medications, not all forms of massage are safe to be used on everyone.

A massage therapist trained only in Swedish massage can not use the same philosophy to do a Deep Tissue, or Sports massage. Deep tissue is not meant to be used as a circulatory technique. In fact, using excess pressure over the majority of the body will increase muscular imbalance which will increase pain and increase the risk of injury. Trigger point therapy when used without regard to the client's activities and structure will perpetuate any issues.

Correctly used deep tissue techniques will always result in improved posture, muscular balance, and range of movement. Regular treatments will steadily return the body back to good posture. With outside maintenance and awareness, the recovery of good posture is excelerated.

Happy Holidays

The greatest gift I have ever received was to become pain-free.
By 2006 I had been in 2 car accidents, in the first one I was hit by a drunk driver and the second accident 10 years later I was hit by an oncoming car at 70mph driven by a 17yr old who was talking on a cell phone, and had two on the job injuries while working at a major computer company. I was in constant pain.

I was at the hotel testing location to take the state test for my massage therapy license when I met Michael Critz. Mike was offering free demonstrations in the exhibition hall where massage products, tools and other continuing education demonstrations were going on.
After watching a few demonstrations, I volunteered to be on the table next. It was a different experience, the stretching, some pulling, repositioning, resistive stretching, but nothing he did caused me any pain. I had been to a chiropractor, doctors, physical therapy, triggerpoint massage, deep tissue massage, swedish massage, and sent home with pain pills and muscle relaxers, but I had never had lasting relief from my pain.
When the 10 or 15 minute demonstration was over, I stood up and I didn't hurt. I could remember where the pain had been, but it wasn't sore or hurting anymore.

Its been 5 years almost to the day, and my original pain has never re-occured. I've had another accident (rearended while in stop & go traffic), and I rebalanced myself, did my homework stretching, and I still have no pain.
I'm thrilled to have learned Critz Technique and I offer it at my own business now. There's no reason for people to continue to hurt.
My greatest gift that I give is to help someone else become pain-free.