On your first visit you should come in 10-15 minutes before your appointment time to fill out a brief health history form.  The therapist will then take you into the treatment room and go through your history with you to get any pertinent information that could affect the treatment.  This is when you should let the therapist know what areas you would like treated and any major concerns you have.  The therapist may do some orthopedic assessment on any areas of concern to gauge the level of injury or limitation.  All this information is essential for the therapist to build a treatment plan that is effective for you.  Following the assessment the therapist will leave the room to allow you to prepare for the treatment.  Once you are on the table the therapist will return for the hands-on treatment.  In an hour appointment this should take about 45-50 minutes.  Once the treatment is completed the therapist will leave the room to allow you to dress.  When you are ready open the door and the therapist will return and may do some assessment to gauge what effect the treatment had.  Lastly, the therapist may show you some remedial exercises (stretching and strengthening) that would be beneficial to you.

2. Do I need to bring or wear anything special?

Wear comfortable clothing that can be taken off efficiently.  Avoid jewelry such as necklaces or dangling earrings.  Don’t make a point of doing your hair or makeup.  Odds are it will just get messed up during the treatment.  Too many hair clips or pins can also be uncomfortable.  Usually a hair elastic is adequate if needed.

3. Do I need to undress?

During the treatment you will always be covered by a sheet except for the immediate area being treated.  The majority of techniques used by massage therapists are most effective when done in contact with the skin, therefore, most people undress.  If you are uncomfortable with undressing the therapist can always work around any clothing you wish to leave on at the expense of effectiveness.

4. Do I need a doctor’s referral?

Registered massage therapists are considered primary healthcare providers in B.C. so you do not need a referral for an appointment.  Some insurance companies, however, require a doctor’s referral to cover the cost of massage therapy.  Check your workplace to see if your health insurance company requires a referral to claim coverage.

5. Am I covered for massage therapy?

Most extended healthcare insurance plans cover massage therapy to some extent.  See your workplace to find out if you have coverage.  At our clinic you will pay us directly and receive a receipt which you can then submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.  Presently we do not do any direct billing of any third party insurance plans.

6. How long should my first appointment be?

A 60 minute treatment is recommended for a first appointment to allow adequate time to go over your health history and do any assessment in order to make an effective hands-on treatment.

7. How many appointments do I need?

Massage therapy, like most contemporary health care modalities, is not a silver bullet.  It won't usually fix things immediately. If it has taken a long time to get to where you are now the odds are that it will not resolve in one treatment.  Therapeutic massage is used to help increase the body’s own healing capacity.  If it is your first time receiving massage therapy, the effects you experience will be relative to your condition.  Some people can experience instantaneous relief.  Most people, however, need more than one treatment to get them back to a balanced state.  Your massage therapist can help make a treatment plan that best suits your needs.  Once you feel healthy and recovered it is recommended to continue receiving massage therapy as preventative maintenance about once a month.

8. Will massage therapy hurt?

When muscles are tight they can restrict the circulation flowing through them.  When this occurs metabolic waste that the muscle creates, like lactic acid,  begin to accumulate and will start to irritate it.  This is what you feel when your muscles are sore, achy and stiff.  There may be some discomfort during a massage treatment as these wastes get flushed out and circulation returns.  Localized contractures in muscle called trigger points can also cause discomfort when worked on.  Always communicate with your therapist to let them know if the pressure is too much.  Massage therapy is not something you should have to bear through.  You should be able to relax your whole body during the entire treatment.  Deep breathing can be used to make sure discomfort stays at a minimum.  The good news is that the effects of massage are cumulative which means that the more treatment you receive the less painful it will become.