Frequently Asked Questions

some answers to questions most commonly askedHaving the answers are the building blocks to promote the professional therapeutic relationship.

What is massage therapy? View Answer

How long is a massage? View Answer

Are there any preparations I need to make before an appointment? View Answer

What can I expect at my first appointment? View Answer

Must I undress for my massage? View Answer

Am I expected to talk during the massage? View Answer

Do provincial health care programs cover massage therapy? View Answer

Should I stretch before and after exercising? View Answer

Do you do massage for 30 minutes? View Answer

Will the massage hurt? View Answer

How quickly can you make me feel better? View Answer

What can I do to speed up the healing process? View Answer

Who should avoid massage therapy? View Answer

What can you do about tension headaches? View Answer

\What can you do about sinus headaches? View Answer

What can you do about migraine headaches? View Answer

What is massage therapy?
It is a hands-on manipulation of the soft tissues of the body including muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments and joints.
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How long is a massage?
One hour is standard, but one and a half hours is better.
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Are there any preparations I need to make before an appointment?
It is best not to eat at least 90 minutes before a massage. Massage is similar to swimming or working out. In massage, the blood is taken away from the digestive process and directed to the massaged peripheral tissues. The result would be poor digestion and possible discomfort in the gastro-intestinal tract.
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What can I expect at my first appointment?
You will complete a confidential health history and sign a consent form. Your therapist will review the health history and your needs or wants to determine your treatment goals.
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Must I undress for my massage?
You will be covered with a sheet so that only the area worked on will be exposed. It is your choice to undress or not. A skin to skin massage has the greatest therapeutic effect, however.
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Am I expected to talk during the massage?
No, however the therapist may require verbal information pertinent to health findings during treatment.
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Do provincial health care programs cover massage therapy?
No, however many extended health care insurance programs offer coverage.
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Should I stretch before and after exercising?
Yes, you should do both.

After a five minute warm up, you can start your stretching routine safely. Hold each stretch 20 to 30 seconds and breathe deeply. No bouncing and no pain.
After your work-out and cool down, do all your stretches again with no pain.

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Do you do massage for 30 minutes?
Yes, 30 minute massage should be reserved for relaxation massage. To maximize a therapeutic massage, the techniques required should involve a time period of 60 to 90 minutes.
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Will the massage hurt?
Relaxation massage should not feel uncomfortable. Therapeutic massage requires the client to receive a moderate amount of discomfort within the level of the client's tolerance. Tight muscles and stiffened joints need release and, once released, the body's protective sheath from pain has been uncovered. Heat, stretching and further treatments bring a healthy change to the client's condition, resulting in greater flexibility and a more functional individual.
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How quickly can you make me feel better?
Sometimes immediately. Other times it may take a number of treatments depending on the client's limitations and condition.
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What can I do to speed up the healing process?
Stop the activity that is causing the discomfort. Apply heat within reasonable limits to the muscles governing the defective area and practice proper stretching techniques as set up by your therapist and yourself.
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Who should avoid massage therapy?
Massage is not advised for anyone with an infectious skin disease, a rash, or open wounds. Avoid massage immediately after surgery, or if you are prone to blood clots. Phlebitis or varicose veins preclude the use of massage, and it should never be performed directly over bruises, inflamed or infected injuries, areas of bleeding or heavy tissue damage, or at sites of recent fractures or sprains. Massage is not recommended for cancer patients immediately after chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Avoid massage over any known tumour and any area with a recent surgical incision.
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What can you do about tension headaches?
Massaging the neck and shoulders assist you to relax by softening the muscles that impinge on your head.
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What can you do about sinus headaches?
Face massage will allow the sinuses to relax and the trapped fluids to release and drain.
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What can you do about migraine headaches?
Migraines are the result of impingement of the nerves to the neck or by chemical imbalance. Massage can address the impinging nerve problem by releasing the levator scapulae muscle. It is often necessary to address the left or right levator muscle for several hours to achieve complete relief. Allow a massage professional the opportunity to rid you of your head discomfort naturally.
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