Consumer columnist and West Hartford resident Harlan Levy has more than 20 years of experience writing stories about everyday experiences that anyone could encounter.

Harlan Levy. Courtesy photo

By Harlan Levy

Escalator v. consumer columnist

Unfortunately, I had a freak accident Monday last week. While not holding onto the railing I lost my balance and fell backwards on an “up” escalator at Macy’s at Westfarms, ricocheting from side to side, banging my head, neck, right knee, and lower back. Macy’s security quickly stopped the escalator, and EMTs promptly arrived. They rushed me to UConn hospital in an ambulance, where I had a head scan and pelvic and spinal cord X-rays. I got home late afternoon.

I now have two stitches covering a long gash in my lower leg, two staples in my head securing a 2-inch gash, a plentiful array of bruises and bloody cuts, and a huge colorful hematoma right above my left butt. Nothing is broken, I thought, but I’ve been tired, very sore, and was dizzy that Monday night, indicating a concussion.

I called the ER last Tuesday and learned I have two small fractured L2 and L3 vertebrae in my lower spine. No pain. Usually easily healed. Nothing required, just doctor checks. If the cracked vertebrae had hit my spinal cord I’d be paralyzed from the chest down, and if I broke my neck I’d be a quadriplegic, so I’m very lucky! Recovery in 4-6 weeks. Other than that everything’s great!

Simple advice from a careless consumer columnist: Hold onto the escalator railings! Meanwhile, watch where you’re walking. Falls are often fatal, especially for older people. And act your age no matter how “young” you say you feel. Remember the three stages of mature age: young adult, middle age, and “you look great.”

My first professional massage in Hua Hin beach resort in Thailand, with consequences. Courtesy of Harlan Levy

Massage

I had my first professional massage in 2014 in Thailand. The young masseuse was thorough in delivering a hard massage. The only negative was that she pressed so hard on my right ribs that they were sore for months. So I decided to opt out in the future – until my wife began getting monthly massages at Healing Hands Massage in Hartford in the Real Artways building. After many entreaties and exclamation about how good they felt, I succumbed and got a massage several months ago. It lasted an hour and throughout William and I had a hilarious conversation, and I emerged unscathed.

Last week my wife asked me to have another  massage when she got hers, and I agreed.

I thoroughly enjoyed it and felt energized and relaxed afterwords. After my near-fatal escalator experience I’m definitely going back to Kirk, who’s the studio’s owner. My wife says, “Five minutes after my first massage with William I thought, ‘Have I died and gone to heaven?’” She wondered why she had never done this before and has returned every four weeks for the last few years. “I find it to be immeasurably therapeutic both physically and psychologically.”

Our son Aidan, his wife Kaitlin, our daughter Allegra, and her husband JP agree and have had many massages at Healing Hands over the last few years.

My masseur, Kirk Scarlett, 50, has been giving massages for 14 years at Healing Hands. Generally, massage businesses have a 24-hour cancellation policy, but, Scarlett said, “We understand that some people deal with pain management, so we try to be as flexible as we can and allow one hour to cancel.

Scarlett does four massages a day four days a week. The cost is $100 each, although signing up for one of their packages makes it cheaper.

The average age of repeat clients is 55, and they mostly come once a month, while some come biweekly. Scarlett has up to 30 repeat clients, most coming monthly. Healing Hands has three masseurs, dedicated to dealing with anxiety, regulating blood pressure, and other medical benefits.

Scarlett has a comeback story: He was a track star at West Hartford’s Northwest Catholic High School in high jump, long jump, triple jump, and the 200-meter dash.

After high school he attended Hampton University in Virginia. When the money ran out he dropped out after a year and enrolled at Capital Community College. He then took jobs in life insurance and real estate. He eventually left those jobs and dedicated himself to massage, while having a family of three boys and a girl, the lights of his life. Socially, he is active in Hartford’s Caribbean Club.

Currently he has published e-books on mental health and grief support, inspired by the death of his father and brother and his wife’s miscarriage, “and I wanted to share my story to help people who’ve gone through what I’ve experienced.” They’re available at Healinghandsmsg.com. He’s also creating an e-book on managing one’s weight, including intermittent fasting. Next projects include e-books on depression, procrastination, and keeping motivated.

Kirk Scarlett: A good guy, who goes beyond.

Healing Hands masseur William gives my wife a massage last week. Courtesy of Harlan Levy

Massage business requirements you must check:

Connecticut massage regulations require a state license, obtained by graduating from an accredited 810-hour program (750 classroom, 60 clinical), passing a national exam (MBLEx/NCTMB), and paying fees.

Licensed therapists must maintain professional liability insurance (at least $500K/$1M) and follow strict hygiene/disinfection protocols for equipment and linens, with specific rules for establishments and renewals.

Licensure Requirements:

• Education: 810 total hours (750 in-class, 60 supervised clinical/internship) from a COMTA-accredited or U.S. Dept. of Education-recognized school.
• Examination: Pass the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) or the NCTMB exam.
• Application: Submit an application online with the Connecticut Department of Public Health and pay the fee.

Practice & Establishment Rules:

• Hygiene: Mandatory handwashing with bacteriostatic soap/sanitizer and cleaning/disinfecting all equipment between clients.
• Procedures: Establishments must have written procedures for cleaning, linens, and universal precautions.
• Referrals: Therapists must refer clients to licensed practitioners if a condition is outside the scope of massage therapy.

Post-Licensure:

• Insurance: Therapists providing direct care need at least $500,000 per person/$1 million aggregate professional liability insurance.
• Renewal: Licenses must be renewed, with first-time renewals exempt from continuing education requirements.
• CE: Maintain continuing education credits for subsequent renewals.

Now you know.

NOTE: If you have a consumer problem, contact me at [email protected] (“Consumer” in subject line), and, with the power of the press, maybe I can help.

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