Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
If you are new to massage therapy, we understand that you might have some questions. We are confident that we have the answers to your inquiries.
Below are the answers to the questions that are most commonly asked about massage therapy treatment. Should you have additional questions please feel free to contact us.
Question:
How will massage therapy benefit me?
Answer:
With professional massage therapy you can experience relief from muscular tension and pain, receive increased range of motion and a reduction of mental stress levels. Massage is a natural healing process that can deliver both physical and emotional benefits.
Treatments are specifically tailored to meet your needs.
Question:
How old does a person need to be to receive massage therapy?
Answer:
Any age. Massage therapy treatments are effective from birth until palliative care stages.
Question:
Which regions of my body get massaged?
Answer:
The therapist will ask you what you want to get out of the session. You will also be asked to describe any chronic problems that you are experiencing. This will determine the appropriate regions of your body that need attention. A typical full-body massage involves your back, neck, shoulders, arms, legs, feet, and hands. Your massage therapist may work on your head and face depending on the issues you present with. A Massage Therapist will massage only those areas that need to be addressed. These areas will be explained to you in the treatment plan and at that time you have the right to refuse, alter or change any area indicated to massage. If you agree to the treatment plan and areas indicated by your Massage Therapist, only those areas being worked on will be exposed, all other areas will be covered. At no time will areas in the genital region be massaged. If Breast massage is indicated, only those Massage Therapist's trained and certified for breast massage will perform this protocol. Explicit written permission will be obtained from you before any such treatment is performed. (you will still have the right to refuse, alter or change the consent at any time)
Question:
I'm not sure I'm comfortable with a stranger touching me.
Answer:
It is not uncommon for first-time clients to be apprehensive with the personal nature of massage therapy. Most clients lose this apprehension within the first few minutes of treatment. Massage therapists are trained professionals who respect your feelings and go out of their way to allow you to feel comfortable.
Question:
Do I have to take off all of my clothes?
Answer:
One of the keys to the success of a your massage therapy session is your ability to relax and feel comfortable. Therefore, the decision is yours; remove only the articles of clothing that you are comfortable with removing. Traditional full-body massage treatments work best administered directly, without the barrier of clothing on the areas massaged. During a session you will be fully covered with a table sheet/blanket, only the area of your body that is being worked on is uncovered. Before and after the session, you will undress and dress in complete privacy.
Question:
What do I need to know about my Massage Therapist?
Answer:
Alberta does not have regulation for Massage Therapist's at this time so it is important to check and see how many hours of education your Massage Therapist has. Massage Therapists with 1000 hours and up usually indicates at lease one year of schooling. When looking for a Massage Therapist it is important to know that the treatment you are receiving is safe and effective.
Only people who are members of the CMTO (College of Massage Therapists of Ontario) can use the title Massage Therapist or Registered Massage Therapist in the Province of Ontario. Massage Therapists in the province of Ontario must adhere to the Regulations and Standards of the Profession and maintain a high level of these standards. The minimum requirement in Ontario, BC and Halifax is 2200 hours of Education. This usually indicates a 2 year program.
Massage Therapists that are members of the MTAA (Massage Therapy Association of Alberta) must write an entrance exam before they can become a full member. This exam is usually based on education that a person would acquire through a 2200 hour program or through additional studies and training. The NHPC does not require an entrance exam.
The years of experience that your Massage Therapist has will also assist you in knowing how they will provide your treatment.
Always ask questions, you will need to make an informed decision rather than just a decision.
Question:What are the benefits to Massage Therapy?
Answer:
Your body can let you know. Some people require only a few sessions to treat a specific problem, while others become regular users of massage therapy as both proactive and preventative healthcare. Massage can help maintain good muscle tone, flexibility, and help correct muscular injuries.
We have a list of the benefits of Massage Therapy on our web site, but if you require additional information please feel free to contact me at my email address and we will try to answer any additional questions you may have.
Question:
Will the Massage Therapist tell me what my problem is and be able to treat me the same day?
Answer:
Massage Therapists do not diagnose conditions, rather they will perform a full assessment with your permission and then provide you with a treatment plan that you will decide to consent to or not. You always have the choice to refuse the treatment at any time, before or during.
Question:
How many treatments will I need before I see some relief?
Answer:
Your Massage Therapist, following an assessment, will advise you of long and short-term goal based on their findings and indicate to you their professional opinion of the prognosis of recovery. They will inform you of the cost per treatment and how many treatments they believe will benefit you in reducing your pain or assisting in your recovery.
Question:
Will I experience muscle soreness following a massage therapy treatment?
Answer:
Yes, for some individuals, the treatment provided can have a risk of muscle soreness for 24-48 hours after the treatment. Suggestions by the Massage Therapist, if the client is compliant, will often reduce the chances of this muscle soreness. Any treatment performed by the therapist will include a verbal explanation of the risks and benefits to receiving the treatment as planned. You will have the right to refuse, alter or change any part of this plan.
Question:
Do you offer massage gift certificates?
Answer:
Yes I do! A therapeutic massage is a great way to show someone how much you care. For details please visit my gift certificate page.
Question:
I would like to buy my friend a gift certificate but I want a receipt for it so I can claim it through my insurance company. Why does my receipt not have all of the Massage Therapists information on it?
Answer:
When you purchase a gift certificate it cannot be invoiced to you in the same way. You cannot claim this purchase through you extended health care benefits because this is a gift and not be used by you for a health benefit. If your Massage Therapist gives you a receipt that you can claim through your extended health benefits this would be fraud.
Question:
Will my extended healthcare plan cover the costs of massage therapy treatments?
Answer:
Yes. Most extended healthcare plans include massage therapy and some even have on-line billing. Some plans ask you to first receive a physician's referral.
Question:
What do I need to know about my Massage Therapist?
Answer:
Alberta does not have regulation for Massage Therapist's at this time so it is important to check and see how many hours of education your Massage Therapist has. Massage Therapists with 1000 hours and up usually indicates at lease one year of schooling. When looking for a Massage Therapist it is important to know that the treatment you are receiving is safe and effective.
Only people who are members of the CMTO (College of Massage Therapists of Ontario) can use the title Massage Therapist or Registered Massage Therapist in the Province of Ontario. Massage Therapists in the province of Ontario must adhere to the Regulations and Standards of the Profession and maintain a high level of these standards. The minimum requirement in Ontario, BC and Halifax is 2200 hours of Education. This usually indicates a 2 year program.
Massage Therapists that are members of the MTAA (Massage Therapy Association of Alberta) must write an entrance exam before they can become a full member. This exam is usually based on education that a person would acquire through a 2200 hour program or through additional studies and training. The NHPC does not require an entrance exam.
The years of experience that your Massage Therapist has will also assist you in knowing how they will provide your treatment.
Always ask questions, you will need to make an informed decision rather than just a decision.
Question:What are the benefits to Massage Therapy?
Answer:
Your body can let you know. Some people require only a few sessions to treat a specific problem, while others become regular users of massage therapy as both proactive and preventative healthcare. Massage can help maintain good muscle tone, flexibility, and help correct muscular injuries.
We have a list of the benefits of Massage Therapy on our web site, but if you require additional information please feel free to contact me at my email address and we will try to answer any additional questions you may have.
Question:
Will the Massage Therapist tell me what my problem is and be able to treat me the same day?
Answer:
Massage Therapists do not diagnose conditions, rather they will perform a full assessment with your permission and then provide you with a treatment plan that you will decide to consent to or not. You always have the choice to refuse the treatment at any time, before or during.
Question:
How many treatments will I need before I see some relief?
Answer:
Your Massage Therapist, following an assessment, will advise you of long and short-term goal based on their findings and indicate to you their professional opinion of the prognosis of recovery. They will inform you of the cost per treatment and how many treatments they believe will benefit you in reducing your pain or assisting in your recovery.
Question:
Will I experience muscle soreness following a massage therapy treatment?
Answer:
Yes, for some individuals, the treatment provided can have a risk of muscle soreness for 24-48 hours after the treatment. Suggestions by the Massage Therapist, if the client is compliant, will often reduce the chances of this muscle soreness. Any treatment performed by the therapist will include a verbal explanation of the risks and benefits to receiving the treatment as planned. You will have the right to refuse, alter or change any part of this plan.
Question:
Do you offer massage gift certificates?
Answer:
Yes I do! A therapeutic massage is a great way to show someone how much you care. For details please visit my gift certificate page.
Question:
I would like to buy my friend a gift certificate but I want a receipt for it so I can claim it through my insurance company. Why does my receipt not have all of the Massage Therapists information on it?
Answer:
When you purchase a gift certificate it cannot be invoiced to you in the same way. You cannot claim this purchase through you extended health care benefits because this is a gift and not be used by you for a health benefit. If your Massage Therapist gives you a receipt that you can claim through your extended health benefits this would be fraud.
Question:
Will my extended healthcare plan cover the costs of massage therapy treatments?
Answer:
Yes. Most extended healthcare plans include massage therapy and some even have on-line billing. Some plans ask you to first receive a physician's referral.
Question:
My friend ran out of extended health benefits through their company. Can I pay for their massages and claim them through my extended health benefits?
Answer:
No, this is considered fraudulent and your Massage Therapist may be charged.
Question:
My extended health care benefits are running out very soon and since I can't get all of my massages in before they expire, can I pay you ahead of time and have you issue receipts as though I have received the massages but I will use them later?
Answer:
No, this type of invoicing is fraudulent. You may only receive an invoice for services rendered at the time of receipt. Any invoicing that is done with dates that you did not receive a massage is fraudulent.