FAQ

How can you benefit from Massage Therapy?

Some Physical Benefits of Massage Therapy Include:

• Relieves pain
• Balances the nervous system, which can relieve stress and aid relaxation
• Decreases muscle tension and joint stiffness so that you can move more freely and enjoy your daily activities
• Promotes faster healing of strained muscles and sprained ligaments
• Enhances athletic performance
• Speeds post-surgical healing and injury repair by reducing pain and swelling, and aids in the formation of more mobile scar tissue
• Promotes deeper and easier breathing, leading to improved overall wellness and revitalization
• Improves the circulation of blood and lymphatic fluids, which strengthens the immune system
• Enhances the health and nourishment of skin
• Improves posture and body awareness, decreasing the physical stresses you put on your body daily

Some Mental Benefits of Massage Therapy Include:

• Decreases mental and physical stresses and promotes more time in your parasympathetic nervous system state (rest and restoration)
• Decreases mental stress, which enhances your capacity for calm thinking and creativity
• Promotes your awareness and appreciation of the mind-body connection
• Improves your ability to monitor your own stress signals and respond appropriately to changes in them
Some Emotional Benefits of Massage Therapy Include:
• Calms your busy mind
• Increases your overall sense of well-being
• Empowers you through education, resources, and self-care tips from your Registered Massage Therapist

Massage Therapy techniques we will use include:

Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Myofascial Release, Active Release, Trigger Point Release, Active and Passive Stretching, Neuromuscular therapy , Joint Manipulations, and Sports Massage are the basis of the techniques I use in my studio. Your massage will be the combination of techniques that your Massage Therapist feels will benefit your condition the most.

During your first visit with a Registered Massage Therapist, your health history form and initial assessments will take place. After filling out the health history form, your Therapist will ask questions and possibly perform orthopedic or movement tests to help determine which areas need treatment. You and your Therapist will discuss a treatment plan, and then you will be left alone in the room for a few minutes to get yourself ready and on the table. After the Massage portion you may be shown exercises or activities designed to help alleviate your problem areas. Then you and your Therapist will determine a treatment plan for follow-up treatments if they are necessary.

I have private treatment room within my home studio.

Asking this question is usually one of the most awkward moments between a Therapist and a new patient. For you to get the most out of your massage it is important that you be comfortable and relaxed during the treatment. I have clean sheets on the massage table to cover you and only expose the areas that we are working on. You may undress to your level of comfort ¾from staying fully clothed to being fully unclothed ¾with the assurance that you will not be exposed unnecessarily. Massage Therapy is a hands-on type of therapy and it is common to use oil to help facilitate the gliding of the Therapist’s hands so it is easier to work directly on the skin.Sometimes wearing shorts or shorts and a sports bra may make it easier to perform the physical and movement-based tests.

The most important thing for you to do is try and relax on the table and make yourself as comfortable as possible. You do not need to move in order to help me, I will move you or ask you to move if I need to. if you need to adjust your position to get more comfortable by all means do so. I may ask you to assist in the Massage from time to time but otherwise you can relax completely. If you like to talk feel free to do so, if you prefer not to that is ok as well. I may ask you questions during your massage and you are welcome to ask questions at anytime yourself.

Please say something to your Therapist if you are at anytime uncomfortable with anything during your Massage.

Massage Therapy will feel different depending on the techniques used. Many Massage Therapists use a form of Swedish massage, which is often the baseline for practitioners. A typical Swedish massage session may start with broad, flowing strokes that will help calm your nervous system and relax exterior muscle tension. As your body relaxes, pressure will gradually be increased to relax specific areas and relieve areas of muscular tension. Often, a light oil or lotion is used to allow your muscles to be massaged without causing excessive friction on the skin. Do not hesitate to ask questions or mention any discomfort you feel so that the Massage Therapist can use another approach or technique.

I am use Azulene Massage Oil (http://www.Ridhacosmetiques.com. ), which is an unscented and neutral oil, Pure Azulene extract was added this massage oil for its relaxing and soothing properties to get an optimal result of deep relaxation. Azulene massage oil works perfectly on any type of skins even more sensitive. Hypoallergenic and non sticky, it’s soluble in water for easy clean up. You are welcome to bring your own lotion or oil.

There are some situations when Massage Therapy may not be helpful. It is important that you indicate all your health-related history and medications on our form so that your Therapist can ensure that Massage Therapy will be safe and helpful. There are many medical conditions that could be worsened by Massage Therapy, or medications that should not be taken while getting Massage Therapy. If you are unsure whether or not Massage Therapy will be safe for you, consult your physician.

I book a minimum 45-minute treatment as your first appointment. After that you may have 30, 45, 60 or 90-minute treatments. Your first appointment is longer to allow us to go through the paperwork (case history and consent form) and to assess your needs for treatment, and still have enough time to give you a comprehensive treatment. After the first treatment you and massage therapist will work together to determine what length/frequency will be most beneficial to you.

Most people feel very relaxed. Some experience freedom from long- term aches and pains developed from tension or repetitive activity. After an initial period of feeling “slowed down,” people often experience increased energy, heightened awareness, and greater productivity, which can last for days. If you are unfamiliar with Massage Therapy or you haven’t received treatment in a while you may experience some soreness in the areas treated. This will feel similar to the soreness you experience post-exercise and should disappear within a day or two. If it doesn’t, contact your Therapist and let him know. Since toxins are released from your soft tissues during a massage, it is recommended that you drink plenty of water following your massage.

I am trained with several different techniques (Myofascial Release, Active release, St John Neuromuscular therapy) but many are based on Swedish techniques. I do not do a set pattern or technique; each massage will be different based on what we agree to be your needs. I often refer to the different techniques as tools that I have in my toolbox. I will use the appropriate tool for the job.

All appointments need to be booked in advance. The easiest way to make an appointment is to phone me or from my website . You will likely get my answering machine as i don’t have a receptionist. I may be available to answer the phone, but I am likely to be working with an existing client. If you reach our answering machine, please leave me a detailed message. I check my messages often and will call you back as soon as we can to confirm if that appointment is available. I will then coordinate an appointment with you.

Yes, I accept Cash, Cheque or e-Transfer, Debit, Visa, MasterCard. There are bank machines from most major banks within a 5-minute walk of my place.

That is no problem, I am happy to accommodate that request.

It is important that you let me know if you need to change or cancel your appointment with enough time (at least 24 hours) for me to arrange for someone else to take that appointment slot. I am paid my salary by the clients; if I do not have a client then I do not get paid. It isn’t fair to your Therapist or other clients who would be happy to have your appointment time if you are unable use it.

No, I cannot bill directly insurance companies. You will be issued a receipt for your Massage Therapy treatment that you are responsible for sending in to your insurance provider.