Your first visit...
When you arrive at our office for your first visit, you will be required to complete our patient intake forms which include an Initial Visit Patient Health History questionnaire as well as a Consent form. If the appointment is for someone under the age of 18 OR if it is a Pregnancy Massage there will be additional forms to be completed. It is of upmost importance that you take the time needed to thoroughly complete the forms, even the smallest of details can make a difference for your massage treatment. If you have a list of medications or a note from your Doctor we will photocopy it to keep it with your records. When you are finished completing the forms you can hand them to the receptionist and get comfortable in our wating room until your Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) comes to get you. Enjoy a drink of water and read one of our magazines or massage related brochures available for you while you wait. You may want to take this time to use our washroom facilities if need be, so this does not cut into your treatment time.
Once the forms have been seen by your RMT, they will greet you in the waiting room.
Once the forms have been seen by your RMT, they will greet you in the waiting room.
Once in the Treatment room...
Your Massage Therapist will take a couple of minutes to review your Health History form with you and may ask more questions in order to completely understand your general state of health. There are some conditions for which massage may not be appropriate, or that may require changes to the specific treatment plan. At this time, please feel free to address any questions or concerns you may have, or offer any other information you think may help your RMT provide the best massage therapy session to suit your individual needs. This is not only important for your first visit but also for any subsequent treatments as well.
Your RMT may also take this time to perform some range of motion testing (ROM) of the areas to be treated, as well as any necessary special tests which may include, but not limited to:
- postural analysis
- gait (how you walk) assessment
- various orthopedic testing
- muscle length or strength testing
Your RMT will then inform you how to prepare for the massage. She will leave the room so you can get ready and comfortable on the massage table. In general, you will need to undress down to your under garments, and lay between the 2 sheets on the table. Your RMT will let you know beforehand whether you need to lay on your front, back or side. During the treatment, only the area being worked on will be uncovered by the sheet. Your RMT's have been trained to properly drape the uncovered area so you should never feel exposed. If at any time you feel uncomfortable, please let your Therapist know.
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Your RMT may also take this time to perform some range of motion testing (ROM) of the areas to be treated, as well as any necessary special tests which may include, but not limited to:
- postural analysis
- gait (how you walk) assessment
- various orthopedic testing
- muscle length or strength testing
Your RMT will then inform you how to prepare for the massage. She will leave the room so you can get ready and comfortable on the massage table. In general, you will need to undress down to your under garments, and lay between the 2 sheets on the table. Your RMT will let you know beforehand whether you need to lay on your front, back or side. During the treatment, only the area being worked on will be uncovered by the sheet. Your RMT's have been trained to properly drape the uncovered area so you should never feel exposed. If at any time you feel uncomfortable, please let your Therapist know.
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The treatment...
This is your time, whether you prefer to lay quiet and completely relax or would like to talk, the choice is yours. Please feel free to ask questions at any time, communication is very important.
For most massage techniques, massage oil is used. This oil is a combination of grapeseed oil, coconut oil and apricot kernel oil. If you have allergies please inquire about the exact ingredients in our massage oil as it may change without notice. The massage treatment often begins with lighter pressure and may increase to work deeper into specific areas, always working within your personal pain tolerance. Your RMT will often check in with you to see how you are doing and if you would like more/less pressure. If at any time you feel the pressure is not to your liking, please let your Therapist know, what works well for one person may not for someone else. A Therapeutic Massage should have deep pressure but still feel relaxing, if the pressure is too great, the muscles tend to tighten and guard, which is counter-productive. You might feel some discomfort when your RMT is addressing tight muscles or an injury, this discomfort usually lessens within a few minutes. There is a difference between discomfort and pain, if it exceeds your comfort level, please let your RMT know and they can work within your tolerance. Please make yourself comfortable. If your RMT needs you to change your position they will let you know.
For most massage techniques, massage oil is used. This oil is a combination of grapeseed oil, coconut oil and apricot kernel oil. If you have allergies please inquire about the exact ingredients in our massage oil as it may change without notice. The massage treatment often begins with lighter pressure and may increase to work deeper into specific areas, always working within your personal pain tolerance. Your RMT will often check in with you to see how you are doing and if you would like more/less pressure. If at any time you feel the pressure is not to your liking, please let your Therapist know, what works well for one person may not for someone else. A Therapeutic Massage should have deep pressure but still feel relaxing, if the pressure is too great, the muscles tend to tighten and guard, which is counter-productive. You might feel some discomfort when your RMT is addressing tight muscles or an injury, this discomfort usually lessens within a few minutes. There is a difference between discomfort and pain, if it exceeds your comfort level, please let your RMT know and they can work within your tolerance. Please make yourself comfortable. If your RMT needs you to change your position they will let you know.
Finishing up...
When the massage is over, your RMT will ask you to get dressed and to open the door when you are finished, signalling for them to return to the room to discuss post-treatment care. It is common to feel relaxed and drowsy following a massage. Help yourself to a glass of water in our waiting room and give yourself time to reorient before leaving. After the initial period of feeling slowed down, people often experience an increase in energy that can last for days. Sometimes relief of stress, aches and pains or increase in mobility is immediate while other times it may take a couple of days to fully note the change. Regular massage treatments are a great way to help prevent injury from repetitive strain, maintain a healthy lifestyle and keep stress to a minimum.
Specialty Treatments...
Some of our treatments require specific clothing or preparations prior to your appointment. Please refer to our "Treatments" section for more information.
Some of our treatments involve the use of essential oils or natural herbs, if you are highly sensitive to scents please let us know at the time of booking so we can help accommodate you.
Some of our treatments involve the use of essential oils or natural herbs, if you are highly sensitive to scents please let us know at the time of booking so we can help accommodate you.
Want to know more...
Please feel free to call our office at 306-773-5541 or send us an email at healingessentialsmassage@yahoo.ca and we will gladly answer any questions you may have. Talk to you soon!
