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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Definition of massage therapy
2. What are the benefits of massage therapy?
3. What conditions does massage therapy benefit?
4. Why choose an RMT (Registered Massage Therapist)?
5. Is massage therapy an insured health benefit?
MSP? ICBC? Extended Healthcare Benefits? WSBC? DVA? RCMP?
6. What is a massage therapy session like?
7. What should I wear for a massage therapy session?
8. How soon will I see results from a massage therapy session?
9. Do I need a doctor referral?
10. How long is a massage therapy session?
11. What is your fee schedule?
12. What payment methods do you accept?
13. What is your cancellation policy?
1. Definition of massage therapy
Massage therapy is the assessment of the body’s soft tissues and joints, and the treatment and prevention of dysfunction, injury, pain and physical disorders of the soft tissues and joints.
2. What are the benefits of massage therapy?
- Relieves pain
- Promotes faster recovery from injury or surgery
- Decreases stress and aids relaxation
- Improves muscle strength, endurance and flexibility
- Decreases muscle tension and stiffness
- Increases joint flexibility and range of motion
- Improves circulation and the movement of lymph fluids
- Helps to prevent injury, pain and physical disorder
3. What conditions does massage therapy benefit?
- Athletic Injuries
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Bronchitis
- Tension Headache
- Migraine
- Strains and sprains
- Whiplash
- Herniated Disc
- Impingement Syndrome
- Stress
- Pregnancy (specialized cushions)
- Muscle Spasm
- Scar Tissue
- Contusions
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Periostitis & Compartment Syndrome
- Tendonitis
- Bursitis
- Frozen Shoulder
- Parkinson's Disease
- Torticollis
- Pes Planus
- Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Scoliosis
- Osteoarthritis
- Chronic Pain
- Hemiplegia
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome
- Patellofemoral Syndrome
- Hyperlordosis
- Hyperkyphosis
- Cerebral Palsy
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Piriformis Syndrome
- Contractures
- Dupuytren’s Contracture
- Buergers' Disease
- Fibrositis & Fibrosis
- Constipation
- Facet Lock
- Postural Deformities
- Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction
4. Why choose an RMT (Registered Massage Therapist)?
B.C.'s Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) are among the most educated and highly trained professionals in the world. To become an RMT in B.C., students must complete at least 3,000 hours of training at an accredited college. This can be compared to a university bachelor degree, which typically averages 1,500 hours over four years.
Standard educational requirements include comprehensive studies in health sciences such as anatomy, physiology, pathology, kinesiology and neuroanatomy. Other studies include clinical sciences such as manual skills, orthopedics, remedial exercise, hydrotherapy and patient education. The management of chronic diseases, injuries and the effects of long-term stress are also studied extensively.
British Columbians can be sure that they are receiving the highest quality of care available because RMTs in B.C. are governed by the College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC) - the profession's equivalent to the College of Physicians and Surgeons - the regulatory body for all RMTs in B.C. The CMTBC ensures that the public receives safe and ethical care by establishing and enforcing standards of education, qualifications and the quality of practice for all RMTs.
Information courtesy of the RMTBC.
5. Is massage therapy an insured health benefit?
Yes, the following insurance providers offer varying coverage of massage therapy.
MSP (Medical Services Plan)
For individual’s receiving Premium Assistance, MSP subsidizes 10 combined visits for physiotherapy, chiropractic, naturopathy and non-surgical podiatry. For your 10 subsidized visits, you will be refunded $23 from MSP. Please bring the full treatment amount to your massage session (see question #11), your therapist will submit the claim to MSP and you will be mailed your $23 refund.
ICBC (Insurance Corporation of British Columbia)
Yes, I accept ICBC claims. Patients with accident dates after April 1, 2019, are eligible for up to 12 treatments. Patients only need to provide their ICBC claim number to begin treatment.
Extended Healthcare Benefits
Extended healthcare benefits vary from plan to plan, and usually cover between 70% - 100% of massage therapy treatment fees. Please contact your insurance provider directly for your coverage details. Your benefit provider may require you to have a doctor's referral prior to receiving treatment.
I can bill extended healthcare plans through TELUS e-claims as well as Pacific Blue Cross. I will require you to fill out a form, which will include your policy & identification numbers prior to billing.
WSBC (WorkSafe BC)
WSBC offers coverage for up to 12 treatments within the first 8 weeks after the accident date. A doctor referral is required for all WorkSafe BC claims. Please bring this referral to your initial massage therapy session, along with your claim number and the name of your adjustor.
DVA (Veterans Affairs)
There are a variety of coverage possibilities under DVA. Please contact your insurance provider directly for your coverage details. A doctor referral is required for DVA claims. Please bring this referral, along with your claim number and the name of your adjustor to your initial massage therapy session.
RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police)
RCMP members have $4800.00 to spend in total per calendar year for all supplementary health benefits. This can be billed directly to Blue Cross, so there is no out-of-pocket charges. A doctor referral is required. Please bring this referral to your initial massage therapy session.
6. What is a massage therapy session like?
Please arrive 5 minutes early for your first session to fill out your health history form. After your form has been completed, there will be an interview and assessment in order to help the therapist determine specific areas to concentrate on. Assessment may include postural scans, special tests, muscle tests, range of motion, and/or palpation of tissues. During this time you will be able to discuss your treatment goals with your therapist, and ask any questions you may have.
Before treatment begins, you will be asked to disrobe to your comfort level. It is possible to do a full treatment with clothes on. If you would prefer this, please bring comfortable shorts and a tank top to wear during treatment. Your therapist will leave the treatment room before you disrobe. Once you are disrobed, you will get onto the massage table and cover yourself with a sheet and blanket. Your therapist will knock before re-entering the room to make sure you are prepared. We use a state of the art electric massage table to ensure easy access for you on and off the table.
During treatment, your massage therapist will use a variety of techniques depending on your treatment goals and your condition, and may be modified for your safety (e.g. depth of pressure with Osteoporosis). Your therapist will use a tenderness scale in order to provide you with a more comfortable and beneficial treatment. Some techniques may be painful, but your therapist will inform you ahead of time. It is beneficial to focus on your breathing during the treatment to help you relax. Your therapist will only undrape the area that is being worked on to ensure dignity. Your comfort will be ensured during the treatment. Heat, pillows and blankets will be available to ensure this. There will also be relaxing music playing during treatment (you may bring your own music if you prefer).
After treatment, your therapist will go over any home care for you to do. This may include stretching, applying heat or ice, strengthening, postural awareness and breathing exercises.
If you wish to make another appointment, please notify your therapist before leaving to guarantee your next treatment time.
7. What should I wear for a massage therapy session?
Come wearing comfortable clothing that will not aggravate your condition while disrobing. If your therapist wishes to go over any exercises after your treatment, it’s preferable to be wearing comfortable clothing that you can easily move in.
8. How soon will I see results from a massage therapy session?
How soon people experience results is dependant on a variety of factors, including the severity of injury or condition and adherence to self-care programs. It is possible to feel tangible results after only one treatment, but more likely is results to be felt after three or four.
9. Do I always need a doctor referral?
No, you don’t always need a doctor referral. This is only required for some ICBC, WSBC, DVA and RCMP claims. Some extended health care benefit plans require a doctor's referral. Please check with your provider.
10. How long is a massage therapy treatment?
We offer 45 minute, 60 minute, 75 minute or 90 minute treatments.
11. What is your fee schedule?
45 minute treatment: $100.00
60 minute treatment: $125.00
75 minute treatment: $150.00
90 minute treatment: $170.00
Note: All treatment rates include the GST. Many insurance plans offer subsidized rates. Please see question #6 for more information.
12. What payment methods do you accept?
We accept cash, debit (Interac), Visa and MasterCard. No cheques please.
13. What is your cancellation policy?
Please give us 24 hours notice if you need to cancel an appointment. Failure to do so will result in a charge of the full treatment fee (unless there is an unforeseen circumstance).
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