On your first visit, you will be asked to complete a confidential health-history form. Your therapist will go over your health-history form with you to determine your treatment needs and goals. First treatments are usually one-hour in length and include an assessment. After your first treatment, the duration and frequency of your visits will be based on your preference and your therapist’s recommendations.

This is specific to each individual client. Please talk to your Massage Therapist to discuss what you can do before your massage treatment.

After your massage, you should feel more relaxed, less tight and less stressed. Your muscles may feel more relaxed and flexible. It’s important to understand that you may still have some pain, discomfort, and soreness following your treatment which should subside in a couple of days. This is nothing to worry about, it is very common. The therapist will give you homecare exercises and remedies to help with the effects of your massage.If you are sore post massage, we recommend ice is best to help calm down anything that could have been alleviated, decrease pain and ease soreness/discomforts. Ice should be wrapped in a damp cloth and applied to the area for 20 minutes.

Massage therapists are required to cover/drape you with a sheet so that they expose only the area on which they are working. You may need to undress for therapy. However, you do not need to expose yourself in any way that makes you feel uncomfortable.

It is possible to work on a client who is dressed, so just let your therapist know your comfort level.

If you wish to have silence, you should say so at the beginning of the treatment. The therapist may however ask you relevant questions during the treatment.

Music is used to help you relax during your massage treatment. Tell your therapist if you prefer not to listen to music. If you prefer, the radio may also be played or you may bring your own music with you to your appointment.

The therapist may apply an oil or lotion to help their hands glide over your body. All products used are non-scented and hypoallergenic. If you prefer, you are welcome to bring your own oil or lotion to be used during your massage.

An Epsom salt bath is recommended to soothe and to calm muscles and enhance the benefits of the massage. It will help to alleviate stiffness you may feel the next day, and it is also recommended for use after workouts for the same reason. Have on hand a two kilogram bag of Epsom salts and drink plenty of water to keep your tissues hydrated (3-4 cups). Stretching and strengthening exercises may also be recommended to you following your massage.

OHIP does not cover massage therapy coverage, however, many extended health care benefits programs and auto insurance companies offer massage therapy coverage. You may also claim it on your taxes.

Students of massage therapy study techniques, risk factors, anatomy, pathophysiology, hydrotherapy, hygiene and ethics. Ontario offers a 2,200-hour (2 and 3 year program) program that covers all of these topics as well as massage, assessment and remedial exercise. Before being designated a registered massage therapist, a student must complete the two-year program and go on to succeed in provincial examinations, which include both practical and written evaluations. The therapist must be registered in order to claim it with your insurance and to experience the benefits of massage therapy.