It’s currently mid January 2024, the temp here in the Flathead Valley of Montana is -28 degrees, the car won’t start, I can’t go anywhere, so it seems like a good time to give an update about my right hip replacement surgery that took place Dec. 11th, 2023. I’ve been doing massage therapy in Kalispell for 14 years; this was the longest I’ve ever been off work, 1 month. Soon, hopefully in April, I will be scheduling a hernia repair surgery, and will again be closed for awhile.

The surgery was done at Logan Health in Whitefish, went great, I’m back to work, stronger than ever, and ready to tell my story. My hip arthritis wasn’t something that happened overnight, and getting to the point of surgery didn’t happen quick either. Symptoms began about 2018. I started at the top of the list: being that there was still cartilage, and not a bone-on-bone situation, I tried an umbilical cord stem cell injection, done locally. This did not work for me, however I’ve learned a lot since then and would now explore the stem procedure that takes your own stems from your brown fat. Next I dialed down to prolozone shots, lazer therapy, my own workouts, Synvisc injections (look it up), supplements, and all the other things people do to try and buy time and avoid surgery.

There were some other major issues that led me to put off the surgery. Obviously in 2020 the whole world went crazy, and nobody wanted to be anywhere near a hospital. Also, around that time both my parents dementia conditions began to monopolize my time, and despite my dad’s passing in Sept 2022, continues to do so. Next, we have the local health care system, where, even if ya got the cash to pay them, there’s a lotta people in line in front of you. I finally couldn’t take the pain anymore, could hardly put my own sock on, so in Sept. 2023 I made the call, and they couldn’t get me in until 3 months later, Dec. 11th. The surgeon, local Dr. Tim Joyce, told me some days he’ll do 4 hip replacement surgeries in 1 day! There’s a lotta other people out there with hip conditions. Another factor was my wish to have the Mako robotic involved, which insures equal leg lengths post surgery.

My hip was bad. I couldn’t hike or climb anymore. I’d cringe every time I had to put on a pair of shoes. It affected my sleep. The chronic pain, which you get used to over time, took over my life. My relationships suffered. My work suffered. It was bad!

Now, about 5 weeks post surgery, my hip range of motion is getting better, I don’t utter curse words when I gotta put on socks, and I’m looking forward to climbing peaks in Glacier National Park again. My scar has healed enough that I can do an epson salt bath at home, and go to the hot springs again. Click HERE to see some of my past climbing, skibiking, and snorkeling adventure videos. In short, life is better, I’ve got some hope, and better prepared for my hernia surgery.

As my hip pain got worse, I had to change my massage therapy services. I stopped doing seated ashiatsu, and did more cupping and kinesio taping. Cupping is a free service, but I charge $15 to kinesio tape an area, think low back pain. Click HERE to see the kinesio taping page from my Kalispell massage therapy website.

In short, I’m back to work, stronger than ever, and very happy with my surgery! If you’re considering a hip replacement surgery, feel free to email me questions at johnnycmassage@hotmail.com.

As I write this, holding back the tears, I hope no one has to endure the grief I feel. Today is Fri., Nov 4th, 2022. My wonderful, generous, God-fearing dad died at local hospital Logan Health, formerly KRMC, from covid on Sept. 29th, 2022. The purposes of this post are to describe what I saw in the ICU, the hospital policies that contributed to his passing, and how YOU can possibly avoid his fate. The long-shot purpose would be to convince our local hospital to consider alternative therapies like Ivermectin, essential oils, ozone therapy, and many other proven ways to fight covid, and to give every covid patient, and attending family member, the form to fill out allowing them and staff to apply these treatments to the patient and accept responsibility for the results.

I’ve been a local massage therapist for 13 years. Fortunately I have a flexible schedule, as my parents condition, and caring for them has taken over my life these last 2 years. Both my parents, Alice and Jack Cochrane, have, and had advanced dementia, and due to the nonsense we saw early in the pandemic, like family not being able to visit residents in nursing homes, I wanted to keep them at home as long as possible. I moved both my parents from their home in Kalispell to assisted living at Buffalo Hill Terrace, specifically The Lodge, which is the memory care wing, on July 1st 2022. They were both diagnosed with covid on Saturday, Sept. 17th. On Sunday, their amazing, gifted, and truthful doctor Justin Buls prescribed Ivermectin capsules for them. ( I know, before my family understood we could get it in capsules, early in the pandemic we were buying the gel-paste at a local feed store) On Monday, my mom began taking the suggested 5-day Ivermectin protocol, and because my dad went to the emergency room at Logan Health that day, and then to the ICU the same evening, he did not take Ivermectin. NOW, SHE’S ALIVE, AND HE’S DEAD. IT’S REALLY THAT SIMPLE.

But allow me to expound a little, and describe what I saw in the ICU, and how some changes to policy and treatment could have saved my father’s life. First let me say the nurses, doctors, and staff were great! We have fabulous talent at our local hospital, hampered over the years by the “old-boy” admin scenario there, and numerous, news-making, jaw dropping developments, like what transpired as a result of whistle blower, and former CFO Jon Mohatt. (google “Jon Mohatt Kalispell KRMC” and ya can’t miss the news articles discussing the hospital settling the case for 24 million dollars.)

That evening when my dad was first transferred from assisted living to the emergency room, my wife and I arrived there and observed him flat on his back on a portable table. Covid WANTS you flat on your back so it can do it’s thing! We asked staff to adjust the table and they did. I ran home to get the Ivermectin capsules Dr. Buls had prescribed. On my return, I found my wife discussing my dad’s illness with a friendly doctor, who promptly shut me down when I mentioned starting my dad Jack on the well-known covid treatment Ivermectin. Here’s where the hospital could have taken a step to save my dad’s life, by informing me that should I want to administer proven anti-viral solutions like Ivermectin, and essential oils like oregano and melaleuca, there’s a form available I could fill out stating my proposal and that I would take responsibility.

But they didn’t. We made it clear that we did not want my dad on a ventilator. (Talk about things we thought were a good idea at the time, like asbestos insulation, ventilators, etc. haha!! ) The hospital went about their standard treatments for covid, like applying an oxygen mask, and anti-bacterial treatments for the pneumonia he developed about 5 days in, but nothing to directly fight the coronavirus.

Me and my wife were at the hospital every day, keeping him company, watching the staffs efforts to keep him stable, and praying for his recovery. As time passed, and we realized he wasn’t improving, and nothing was being done to directly fight the covid virus, I decided to write up what I would do as treatments, and posted that clearly on the door to his large room in the ICU, stating that I was formally requesting the opportunity to apply these therapies, I would provide the products, and that I was documenting my requests and would document their answer. (Not on the form, but I also added a grounding mat to his bed. Scientific studies show that earthing, or grounding, reduces inflammation in organs, over time. Covid is a respiratory disease. Who wouldn’t want to reduce the inflam in their lungs?? Why doesn’t the hospital offer this cheap idea to patients?) In the pictures below, you’ll see the bottle of ivermectin with my dad’s name on it, (He went by Jack, but given name was John), and the date, and Dr. Buls name. There are just not enough good things to say about Justin!

Their answer was yes. But it came 36 hours too late. I was told my proposal went through their legal department, and my proposal was a rarity. After it was approved, I signed the form they produced, stating I would take responsibility. As my dad had a feeding tube down his nose, the staff would work with my wife and I, show us how to use a mortar and pestle to crush the vitamins and supplements I’d chosen, help us administer those, the ivermectin, and essential oils. Unfortunately due to staffing shortages and situations, no one was available to help us until roughly 36 hours after I signed the document. My father was given the holistic meds by my wife and a staff member, once. But it was too late.

On Sept. 29th, a Logan Health Dr. informed me that my dad was failing and there was no realistic chance that he would improve. I had a tough decision to make. They told me if they removed the mask and nose feeding tube, it could be hours, or days before he went to eternity. I chose to send him back to God. I called Dr. Buls and asked him to come bedside. My wife also arrived. His mask and tube were removed, the room was cleared of staff. Immediately upon taking his mask off, he opened his eyes, which I hadn’t seen open since he got to the icu. He had a hard time focusing. His nose was somewhat deformed from the feeding tube. With Justin holding his right hand, my wife Sharmon holding his left, and me holding both his bare feet, he died, about an hour after being removed from life support. The last words he said to me were “I love you.”

I understand that serving up ivermectin, essential oils with anti-viral properties like Ravensara, oregano, and even lavender, immune boosting supplements like quercetin, elderberry, and Vitamin d3, drinks like apple cider vinegar, and offering grounding mats to patients isn’t what local doctors first suggest when a patient is sick. But don’t you feel like they probably have a MORAL obligation to call these to your attention? Surely they’ve heard about this stuff! Of course they have, but that’s not where their paycheck comes from. That’s not what standard Western medicine does. Oh, that’s right, they might face a reprimand, or even discharge for trying to help you in this way. They might face the same for not getting the experimental covid vaccine. So, let’s talk a bit about THAT.

Early in the pandemic, my family decided we weren’t gonna be test monkeys for the covid vaxx, despite most local doctors and even leaders like Trump pushing it on us. (Trump was totally a vaccine salesman! #votethirdparty) I’m confident that had my parents followed through with the 2 shots, 2 booster scenario they would have succumbed to the numerous side effects that have been well documented (but not much reported in the standard media) and l would have had much less time with them. And as time has passed, we’ve noted that the longer we remain unvaccinated, the more evidence we see supporting our decision. Mind you, my family are not “anti-vaxxers”. We recognize vaccines are one of the great developments of modern times. But not the covid vaxx, no sir. There has never been a succesful MRNA vax, and there still isn’t.

Share this post. Pass it around. My hope is for change. I may not see it in my lifetime, but I’m doing my part by sharing what happened to my dad. I’d like to think he’s out exploring the universe, while the rest of us are still here making sandwiches. Make mine without mustard. I miss you dad.

(Update 7-31-22, On July 1st I reluctantly moved my parents to the memory care wing of Kalispell’s Buffalo Hill Terrace. Early in the pandemic, we all saw the horror of families not being able to visit their loved ones in nursing homes, assisted living, etc. That fact and the collateral damage those poor decisions created, and the nationwide staffing shortage created by overreaction to Covid, are big reasons in my reluctance to move my parents out of their own home.)

As some of you may know, my parents pictured here in Kalispell in 2018, Jack and Alice, both have advanced dementia, still live in their large ranch home, and are reluctant to move to assisted living or allow in-home caregivers to help. Their condition has taken over my life in the last 2 years: dealing with attorneys, financial planners, Memory care homes, etc. has taken a toll on me and only stands to get worse. The reason for this post is to explain why I may need to cancel sessions with very little notice. Because I’m deaf in my left ear, I prefer texting, and that’s how clients will initially be informed if I need to cancel a session. I do apologize for any inconvenience. Their care is of utmost importance to me, as their only other child lives in Boise and all the decision making and daily tasks fall to me. They don’t drive anymore. I had to remove their pet dog from the home. I could talk all day about the challenges their condition presents to me and my family, but will end that here and give a brief history of our relationship.

I love my parents. I presented many a challenge to them as a youngster, but in the early 2000’s our relationship grew very close and I came to depend on them in many ways. They’ve been married for 57 years as of this writing. I admire their commitment to each other. The stability they supplied to our family can’t be overstated.

There is no cure for dementia. I’ve tried many alternative therapies which have bought us some time, but as their conditions worsen I learn and try everything in my power to retain my own cognition, as there is a genetic component to dementia, and it presents as a disease on both sides of my family. As I continue to learn from books and Youtube podcasts, one thing that seems consistent as important is to remove grains from the diet: (bread, pasta, bagels, etc.).

The above pic was taken of my family with sister Cathy around 2016, in Pocatello, Idaho where i grew up. Although Cathy is very supportive, she lives far away and only sees my folks a couple times a year.

Back to the reason for the post, as their condition worsens and I have to attend to medical emergencies and other situations regarding their care with very little notice, massage therapy sessions may also be canceled and I’d like my clients to understand my predicament. I’m very good at what I do, I love my work (even more now as it gives something of a respite from having to think about their complicated situation), and will continue to provide the highest quality massage therapy sessions available in Kalispell, but just less availability with time blocked out to manage my parents lives. Thank you for your understanding. VOTE THIRD PARTY!

That’s me near the summit of Mt. Reynolds in Glacier Park, 2018, better times. Why better times? Due to the circus in our world, differences in healthcare views and politics, I’ve lost a ton of friends, and family, and it’s been very challenging to find people to replace them. The reason for this post is to see if there are any in this readership who, like me, lean Libertarian, realize that less government control over healthcare AND businesses is always better, and would enjoy my company skiing, hiking, and the like.

Early in the pandemic my very best friend in the world began to distance himself from me, as he watched what I shared on social media about masks, government overreach of power, and theories on covid. He and I had shared many epic adventures, and it had become obvious over time we didn’t share the same spirituality or political leanings. That didn’t matter until covid hit, and I started reposting stuff from acclaimed local Dr. Annie Bukacek, (who I don’t share many politics with, but she’s called the healthcare side correctly from the very beginning). He, not me, slowly stopped all association, which eventually culminated in a conversation where we went our separate ways. I’ve also lost association with family, many who live in very liberal states, who don’t share my love of freedom, and freedom of choice, in how to run my business all the way up to what experimental bullshit I allow my doctor to try and sell me on, and then shove via needle into my body. (The next Bitcoin will be unvaxxed sperm. haha.! hhmm, maybe not so funny…)

I was raised in a Christian home, I subscribe to Jesus, and although my language and actions may not reflect who I believe is the way, truth, and the life, I strive to always be more like Him. My politics may not resemble those of “cookie-cutter” christians, as I’m pro choice and hardly a card carrying Republican, but, after voting for both democrats and republicans over the years, I see what they’ve done, where they’re heading, and want none of their nonsense.

When you’re on a long hike or ardous climb with fellow adventurists, eventually talk will change from the beautiful scenery to talk of the not so beautiful nonsense our healthcare providers and government are trying to shove down our throats. I feel it’s better to filter your climbing partners pre-adventure and see where they stand on important issues, and spirituality beforehand. Believe me, when you’re in a life-and-death situation in Glacier Park, you want people with ya who you can not only trust with your life, but with your, um, soul, ya know?

Finding those people has become more difficult due to covid. I’m not involved with a ton of local social clubs. I’m deaf in my left ear which creates a challenge for anyone around me. So, I’m casting an opportunity here. In the past, I’ve had very great friendships with people who started as clients first, so I know this scenario can work. I see that I have clients who, on paper, share my interests in the outdoors. I see that I have clients who are certainly physically able to do the snorkeling, climbing, and hiking I subscribe to. The question is, do YOU want to hang out with ME, outside of the massage therapy world? As my right hip and left knee issues are dictating some of my hiking plans as of late, the scale of my adventures has changed accordingly, but by summer 2022 I plan to be back climbing big peaks, and I want you to come along. Do ya wanna get off the couch and see some stuff? Come along! Email me at johnnycmassage@hotmail.com. We’ll start small with things like hiking Herron Park, skiing Blacktail, and such. I look forward to meeting new people, including your friends who share our views. To those who say I may lose clients for sharing my views, I hold up the same model: I can save us both time and money, by laying my cards on the table now.

“THE LONGER I REMAIN UNVAXXED, THE MORE EVIDENCE I SEE SUPPORTING MY DECISION.”

In February of 2021 I purchased a 2 person blow-up hot tub, online, from a company called Aleko. This was the best $500.00 I’ve ever spent in my life! If you’re interested about this and other hot tubs in Kalispell, read on.

As a massage therapist in Kalispell, I understand the benefits of hot, and cold therapy. I’d always wanted a hot tub, and had no idea there was even such this as a blow-up hot tub. A client of mine mentioned he and his girlfriend had purchased one and were quite happy with it, so I found one online whose dimensions would work with my patio, and here we are. Click HERE for a link to some of Aleko’s products. It takes about 48 hours for it to heat up after being filled with water from the garden hose. The tub is portable, and has its own built in pump, and heater. And that’s where my problems began (there have been very few), with the heater. About 2 months after purchase, the heater burned out, so the company sent me a new heater to install, which took about 3 hours. THAT heater only lasted a month, so Aleko then sent me a brand new complete tub, and I’ve taken to using the old one for an ice bath! Yep, I now have hot and cold therapy pools right in my backyard. Ice brings down inflammation, and heat helps sore muscles recover after a turbo gym workout, and certainly reduces stress and improves sleep.

Here’s a pic of my wife Sharmon enjoying our hot tub in Kalispell. Yes, two medium sized people can comfortably fit in this hot tub. The 4 person blow-up hot tubs seem to be more popular than the 2 person units, and the covers for the 4 person tubs fit much better than the stock cover that came with my unit. It has 2 filters that screw into the wall of the tub, and unfortunately due to supply chain issues, or something, they have been out of stock at Aleko for months, but not changing them doesn’t seem to have done any damage to my hot tub.

Here’s a pic of the Frog brand floating bromine dispenser gizmo I use to keep the water clean, and the PH and alkalinity balanced. It conveniently flips upside down when it’s time to be changed. This pic shows my ice bath tub upside down, with the cover crumpled on top. I keep it upside down in my backyard when I’m not using it for cold therapy.

The hot tub heats to a max of 108 degrees which I’ve found is plenty hot even in the dead of winter. I’m very pleased with Aleko, the maker of this Kalispell hot tub, and delighted with their customer service. I’ve found that I enjoy using this stress reducer as much in August as I did in February. CHEERS!

THE LONGER I REMAIN UNVACCINATED, THE MORE EVIDENCE I SEE SUPPORTING MY DECISION.

On June 13th, 2021 I celebrate 10 years of being in business, and all in the same location, so I thought I’d do a blog post and talk about some of the highlights as a massage therapist in Kalispell. I’ve done about 2500 loads of laundry, all at home with my own washer and dryer. I wasn’t great at folding fitted sheets until about year 5, haha! Despite climbing on and off the massage table almost as many times as I’ve done laundry, I’ve never had an accident, and only one close call, and 1 injury to myself (a broken big toe, doing ashiatsu).

One way of describing my job is “I touch naked people.” Folks must wonder what ten years of looking at every imaginable kind of naked person must be like, and truthfully, it’s quite an honor that I don’t take lightly. Every person is unique, but ultimately we all have the same muscles in the same place, they’re just used more on some people. Tall, short, old, young, hairy, not hairy, after awhile it’s all the same, but the honor of being trusted with their dignity, and knowing I’ll show them respect and give them their money’s worth is never lost on me.

At one point a few years ago I thought “Maybe someday when I’ll retire I’ll write a tell-all book about life as a massage therapist”, but the truth is, there are only a couple of crazy stories worthy of attention. Here’s the 1st one: About 5 years ago I had a male client, a mechanic who must have come straight from work to his session. As I said above, I’ve done a lot of laundry over the years, but this guy was literally so dirty and greasy that when the session was over and I looked at the sheets, I realized there was no WAY they would ever be remotely clean again, and I threw them away! Here’s the 2nd: I had a husband and wife who booked back to back sessions, the first at 9am. While I was working on him, she went to the bar next door and got so drunk that 10 minutes into her session I had to call it quits and go get her husband to carry her to the car!

I’ve tried many marketing efforts over the years, including a few parades where I put my equipment on a flatbed trailer and either had friends hang out with me and wave, worked on my wife on the massage chair, or actually worked on a live female client on the massage table. That parade got me some hate mail, but massage therapists across the country praised the effort. (my wife was in the truck on that one)

One of the things that has set me apart from the other local LMT’s is that I’ve always had a table with a breast recess. (the parade pic is a great example of that feature). Now, ten years later the obvious thing that sets me apart is ashiatsu, with kinesio taping being a close 2nd. My skills have improved greatly over the years, I’m always on to new trends in the industry, and was using CBD oil topically in sessions well before it was the cliche it is now. Another thing that sets me apart is that I usually ask clients what they prefer to listen to, rather than just put on the same old, tired spa music. It was quite a game changer for me when I discovered Spotify, and my clients greatly benefit from being in control of what music is played during their session. The requests have ranged from Prince to Joe Rogan podcasts, and it always turns out good.

Another important thing that sets me apart these past ten years is that I decline tips. A mentor of mine early on taught me that, and it’s an important part of my business model.

As of this writing in June 2021, this is the 1st year I have not been one of the top 10 LMT’s in the local newspaper Daily Interlakes “Best of the Flathead” poll. In 2016 I won! Considering at this time there are roughly 80 licensed massage therapists in the Flathead Valley, there is a lot of competition out there.

For the first 5 years of my career, I worked as a debt collector part time while I built my business, and have been full time for the last 5 years. I’m hardly a millionaire, but certainly one of the highest paid locals, and have the benefits of a flexible schedule, call all my own shots, and choose who I want to have as a client.

Yes, I’ve actually fired clients, usually because of chronic tardiness, but there have been a few exceptions where a personality conflict was obvious and we parted ways at my request.

Yes, I’ve used my wife Sharmon as a model in some of my marketing, here’s an early pic from my career, check out that hair and brown shirt, oh, and the blond hottie too!

10 years have seen a lot of massage therapists come and go locally, but I’m still here, at the top of my game, in the same location, and still offering the highest quality massage therapy available in the Flathead Valley. CHEERS!

In June of 2021 I’ll be celebrating my 10 year anniversary of being in business! My base prices for services of 30, 60, and 90 minute massage therapy sessions have not changed since 2012, and will each see an increase of 5 bucks beginning June 1st. I thought I’d do a blog post explaining some of reasons and circumstances that led to these changes.

INFLATION! We’re all seeing it as of May 2021. There are many reasons: our government’s foolish overreaction to covid, stimulus checks flooding the economy with economic repercussions that will effect YOUR children, being that I don’t have any, supply chain disruptions, and many others.

In the massage therapy world, just like every place else, the pandemic has created difficulty in getting products I use every day, like massage creme, oil, face covers, etc. When those items do become available, the price is increased, as those companies have difficulty finding workers, and have to pay them more when they do find them, and the cost of the products that go into massage cremes and oils has also gone up.

Our Flathead Valley is seeing “help wanted” signs everywhere. Why aren’t people willing to work? Fear of covid? Because they make more on unemployment than they do working? These same scenarios are present in the massage therapy product industry.

When I started my business in 2011 my base price for an hour session was $65 an hour, and went up to $75 in 2012 after I completed my ashiatsu training. Since then I’ve acquired many new skills including cupping, and kinesio taping, have added value to sessions with better equipment, and created a niche for myself locally with the deep tissue and sports massage camps. I’ve experienced a 20% increase in my rent every 2 years since 2016, and have now chosen the small 5 bucks pricing increase to supplement my income.

I hope 5 bucks isn’t a deal breaker! Cheers,

Johnny C.