Any one can benefit from massage. Depending on your goals, massage therapy helps eliminate or decrease the symptoms that you are experiencing. The Registered Massage Therapist conducts assessments and provides a treatment plan for you so that you may go back to your daily activities free from pain or restrictions. After massage therapy treatments, patients experience relief from stress and a higher level of energy.

Before beginning, your massage therapist will require you to fill out a health history form. Afterwards the therapist will begin by asking you general questions to establish what areas you would like worked on, if there are any conditions needing to be addressed and to determine if massage is appropriate for you. Your massage therapist may perform certain assessments and testing to evaluate your condition, and to see if you have any presenting complaints. Depending on the primary technique your therapist uses, you may or may not need to undress. For a full body massage, most people undress completely. However, you may choose to wear underwear. Your massage therapist will give you privacy to undress, and you will be covered with a sheet and blanket at all times except the area being worked on.

It is possible to work on a client who is dressed. So just let your therapist know your comfort level. Massage therapy should be something you enjoy tremendously.

This largely depends on the techniques used. 10 different massage therapists will have 10 completely different ways they work on patients. Many massage therapists use a form of Swedish massage which is very common. In a “general” Swedish massage, your session may start with broad, flowing strokes that will help calm your nervous system and relax exterior muscle tension. As your body becomes relaxed, pressure will gradually be increased to relax specific areas and relieve areas of muscular tension. A hypoallergenic lotion is used to allow your muscles to be massaged without causing excessive friction to the skin. Conversely for those who request “deep tissue” work, the feeling may range from immense relaxation to mild discomfort as the Massage Therapist works deeper into sore, tight muscles. Experienced patients know that the deeper work brings gains and benefits that lighter work may not when the situation is difficult or chronic.

This is only an issue of personal preference. Male RMTs may have an advantage of strength for those seeking deep tissue work.

Your therapist is responsible to ask you your preferences in terms of pressure, person tastes and if you like to converse during your treatment. However, at all times, it is your right to indicate your wishes. Please tell your therapist if the pressure is too light or too deep. If you wish to be silent, please mention this as well. Additionally, individual preferences vary in terms of room temperature, music volume etc. We are listening to you always, Please let us know what would make your treatment even better.

We currently direct bill to: CINUP, Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance, ClaimSecure, Cowan, Desjardins Insurance, First Canadian, Great-West Life, GroupHEALTH, GroupSource, Johnson Inc., Johnson Group Inc., Manion, Manulife Financial, Maximum Benefit, Sun Life Financial, and Greenshield directly. Before leaving, you will know if you have a balance owing after your insurance has been contacted. For all other coverages, official receipts will be issued for all massages performed by our RMTs. These receipts can then be submitted to all other insurance companies. Depending on your plan and coverage, some or all of the cost of the massage may be covered.

If you want a “full-body massage”, then a 1 hour or a 1 1/2 hour appointment is recommended. A 1/2 hour appointment only allows time for a partial massage session, such as neck and shoulders, back or legs and feet. Many people prefer a 60 to 90 minute session for optimal relaxation and results effectiveness.

As with many treatments affecting the soft tissue, there are times when massage therapy can cause some light discomfort but it is not harmful. Discomfort usually diminishes and no technique of this nature is used without the therapist first discussing it with the client and obtaining your permission. A comfort scale will be established and the therapist will work to the client’s tolerance level. The client can stop or change the treatment at any time and RMTs will modify their techniques to meet their client’s needs.