FAQ For New Patients

Massage therapy is the manipulation of soft tissues of the body including, muscles, connective tissues, tendons, ligaments and joints. Massage therapy is a clinically-oriented health care option that helps alleviate the discomfort associated with everyday and occupational stresses, muscular overuse and many chronic pain conditions.

For each individual, massage therapy is about finding the best available Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) to assist you in responding to the demands of your life. This would include an initial assessment followed by treatments according to the patients’ needs. For example, golfer’s elbow, lower back pain, treatments to alleviate the early stages of carpal tunnel syndrome. A person with a chronic  condition such as diabetes or arthritis could arrange for regular treatments to continually assess, care and avoid or lessen pain and dysfunction.

How to select a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT)?

Select your RMT with careful questioning. The RMT who helped your cousin may or may not be the best therapist for you and your lifestyle and its demands.

Ask clear questions like: “I have sciatica how often have you successfully treated sciatica?”

Or I’m a truck driver and often have a sore back and stiff knees. “Do you have the skills to help me?”

Also, inquire about wait times for appointments. It’s best to be proactive and make regular appointments to stay on top of any developing symptoms before you develop pain.

Inquire about rates, forms of payment, direct billing insurance coverage and submission of claims.

The day of your appointment

You may want to shower; however, avoid using perfumes, oils or creams and wear clean clothes. Also, it’s recommended to arrive at the clinic at least 10 minutes prior to the appointment time.

The RMT will ask you to share your medical history, current complaints, aches, pains, describe your lifestyle and expectations. You will also sign at least one form giving permission for treatments. The RMT will describe what your treatment will involve, for example, which areas will be treated.

The RMT will request you to prepare for the treatment, this may include removing some clothing.  In the privacy of the treatment room, if you are comfortable, you will be able to remove your clothes (as noted), lay on the treatment table as indicated by the RMT and cover yourself completely with the clean sheets provided. Sometimes there is a signal to let the RMT know that you’re ready. Sometimes the patient simply waits and relaxes until the RMT enters the treatment room. The RMT may or may not play music and may or may not ask your opinion about the music. If music is played it is usually very relaxing instrumental music.

During the treatment, the RMT will uncover the part of the body that needs therapy, such as one leg. The rest of your body remains covered. When the treatment for that leg is completed, the RMT will cover the leg and uncover another part of the body, such as your back and continue the treatment.  The RMT will continue as such until the end of the therapeutic session.

During the treatment, the RMT may ask you to report what you are feeling or describe the feeling.  They may also simply suggest that you relax and allow the therapist to assist you to feel and function better.

At the end of the treatment, the RMT will leave the treatment room to allow you to dress in private.

Following the treatment, you will meet the RMT to discuss any further treatments.  You will also receive instructions for home care and a reminder to drink enough water to flush any toxins released from tissues during treatment. By following these instructions, you will increase the effectiveness of your treatment.

You will receive a receipt for your treatment. Ensure that the receipt includes the correct date of the treatment, the name of the RMT who provided your treatment, as well as their RMT number.

Benefits of Massage Therapy

Registered Massage Therapists help to manage acute and chronic health conditions, rehabilitation and sports injuries. Massage therapy is also a preventive measure against everything from muscle strains to hypertension. Studies have revealed lower anxiety, lower stress hormone levels and increased function of the immune system in patients who regularly receive therapeutic massage treatment.

Increased awareness (of the benefits of massage therapy) has led to a significant increase in research that investigates and substantiates these benefits. The Touch Research Institute, and the Massage Therapy Foundations’ (MTF) International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (IJTMB), are two organizations that provide extensive research on the benefits of massage therapy. The MTF recognizes and includes Canadian research, www.rmtbc.ca/sites/default/files/files/New_M_T_Foundation . Research shows that massage is beneficial for many different pathologies and for all stages of life.

Please note:

• Registered Massage Therapists are health care providers; however, they are not authorized to diagnose medical conditions.
• Registered Massage Therapists often refer to physicians if in doubt about the medical condition of a client and about any contraindications that may arise.

Conditions Commonly Treated

Specific techniques and modalities are used for, but not limited to, the following soft tissue pathologies and miscellaneous systemic pathologies with a soft tissue component:

Asthma
Athletic injuries
Arthritic Groups (OA, RA, AS, Gout)
Bronchitis
Buergers’ Disease
Bursitis
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Cerebral Palsy
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic Gastritis
Chronic Pain
Consitipation
Contractures
Contusions
Cramps
Degenerative Disc Disease
Dislocations
Dupuytren’s Contracture
Dysfunctions Related to Stress
Dysmennorhea
Edema
Emphysema
Entrapments & Compressions Syndromes

• Swedish Massage
• Rehabilitation Massage
• Rolfing
• Geriatric Massage