Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

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 me.
 

Question:

What is massage therapy?

Answer:

The practice of massage therapy is the assessment, treatment and prevention of dysfunction and pain of the soft tissues and joints of the body by manipulation to develop, maintain, rehabilitate or augment function, to relieve pain, or to promote health. For more information go to the Massage Therapy page.

Question:

How can massage therapy benefit me?

Answer:

Massage therapy delivers both physical and emotional benefits. With professional registered massage therapy you can experience relief from muscular tension and pain, receive increased range of motion, reduce stress levels and increase relaxation. Massage can help maintain good muscle tone, flexibility, and help correct muscular injuries and postural imbalances.  Treatments are specifically tailored to meet your needs. Check out the Benefits page for more information.

Question:

How often will I need treatments?

Answer:

You may require 1 treatment/week for several weeks to treat a specific acute problem. For chronic conditions, regularly scheduled treatments might be needed on an ongoing basis to keep things under control, varying from once a week to once a month, depending on your situation.  You may also decide to schedule treatments regularly every 4-8 weeks to maintain good health, using massage therapy as both proactive and preventative healthcare.  The frequency of treatment really depends on the individual's circumstances. 

Question:

How old does a person need to be to receive massage therapy?

Answer:

Any age and all stages of life. Massage therapy treatments are effective from birth until palliative care stages. Visit the Applications page for more details.

Question:

Which areas of my body get massaged?

Answer:

You will be asked what your treatment goals are. You will also be asked to describe any acute and/or 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, hands, legs, feet, head and face. We will discuss and get your consent for the areas to be treated prior to treatment.

Question:

Will I experience muscle soreness following a massage therapy treatment?

Answer:

Most people report feeling very relaxed, and often experience significant relief from aches, pains and stress after a massage treatment. However some people, especially those who require deep-tissue massage, experience mild muscle soreness which may last a day or two. Once the soreness is gone, decreased pain and an increased range of motion is often the result. We will discuss any post treatment expectations, possible side effects and home care advice before and after your treatment.

Question:

What is involved in an initial assessment?

Answer:

You will be asked to complete a confidential health history form which we will review together in order to understand your whole health and best address your concerns. A postural assessment will be done as well as any range of motion and orthopedic testing deemed necessary. We will discuss your goals for treatment, possible risks or side effects, and the proposed treatment plan.

Question:

What articles of clothing will I have to remove?

Answer:

One of the keys to the success of your massage therapy treatment is your ability to relax and feel comfortable. You will be advised as to which clothing would be best to remove in order to provide the most effective treatment. However, the decision is yours; remove only the articles of clothing that you are comfortable with removing. Traditional massage techniques work best administered directly on the skin, without the barrier of clothing on the areas being treated. During the treatment you will be fully covered with a sheet & blanket, only the area of your body that is being worked on at the time is uncovered.  Before and after the session, you will undress and dress in complete privacy.

Question:

Will my extended healthcare plan cover the costs of massage therapy treatments and do you direct bill to insurance companies?

Answer:

Most extended healthcare plans include massage therapy. Some plans ask you to first receive a physician's referral. If you are unsure, feel free to contact me and I will be happy to help you determine your plan's coverage by doing a predetermination. I direct bill to the insurance companies who provide that option. Meaning, you don't have to pay me up front and submit your receipt yourself. Instead, I will submit your receipt to your insurance company for you and they will pay me. You then only need to pay me the balance that your insurance will not cover, if there is one. 

Question:

Do you offer gift cards?

Answer:

Yes I do! A therapeutic massage treatment is a great gift! Please note that gift cards can not be billed to either the purchaser's or the recipient's insurance plans, as it is a gift. For details please visit my gift cards page.

"Nothing is impossible, the word itself says I'm possible." - Audrey Hepburn