What to
Expect When You Come for A Massage at the Pacific Wellness?
If
you've never been to a massage therapist before, you are in
for a treat. Regardless of whether you are coming for therapeutic
reasons or just to relax, massage can have an amazing curative
effect. Many people who have received a massage experience releases
of tension and pain in muscles, improved circulation, increased
flexibility, reduced mental and physical fatigue, and a general
sense of calm, focus and well-being. Therapeutic massage is
one of the most effective means available to combat stress.
Here's a list of the most frequently asked
questions about massage therapy.
What is the first appointment like?
You will begin your first appointment at
Pacific Wellness by filling out a health intake form. Please
arrive about five minutes early to allow time for this. After
it is complete, you will be introduced to your therapist who
will lead you to your massage room. He or she will ask you any
questions pertinent to the session after reviewing your intake
form. The therapist will then instruct you how to position yourself
on the massage table, and will leave the room while you undress
to your comfort level.
You will relax on a padded table designed
for stability and comfort and cover yourself with the sheet. The room will be warm and quiet, with soft music to set a relaxing
mood.
 Upon the therapist's return, the session will
begin. The massage is done with professional massage lotions
or light oils that are good for your skin and absorb easily.
Some forms of massage do not require the use of oil
or lotion. The therapist will begin by stroking your body with
slow, even strokes. He or she will ask you if the level of pressure
is to your liking. Remember, the more feedback that you give,
the better the massage will be for you. A typical one-hour body
massage covers the neck, back, arms, legs, face, upper chest
and scalp. Some clients like to receive massage over their stomach
area, some do not, so please communicate your likes and dislikes
with the therapist. If you have any sensitive or ticklish areas
that you want avoided, tell the therapist. You can talk during
your session, or remain quiet. After your massage is finished,
you will be given privacy while you dress.
What should I expect afterward?
After a session, most people feel extremely
relaxed and sometimes feel a little fatigued. Many experience
freedom from aches and pains that have built up over weeks and
months from tension or repetitive activity. After an initial
period of feeling slowed down, clients often experience an increase
in energy that can last for several days.
How long is a session?
An hour is the usual length of your treatment. This gives time for a deeply relaxing full body massage, or
more in-depth work on a particular area, for example back, neck
and shoulders.
What will the room be like?
Our rooms are cozy, clean, and comforting. We strive to create a relaxing atmosphere for clients by using
freshly laundered sheets, soft lighting, and relaxing music.
View our massage room.
Do I have to get undressed?
In the case of general, or relaxation, or
what is often called "Swedish" massage, there is an almost universal
procedure among massage therapists in the North America. You
are asked to undress to whatever point you are comfortable.
Most clients choose to undress entirely or choose to leave on
their underclothing, and some leave on most of their clothing. Whatever you choose, the massage therapist will act in a professional
manner, and will provide you with a relaxing experience, no
matter what your level of undress. Some clothing may, however,
interfere with the natural flow of the massage, and preclude
the use of certain techniques.
The massage therapist leaves the room and
gives you sufficient time to undress. You get onto the table
under a sheet to cover yourself. During the massage, only the
part of your body currently being worked on is uncovered. When
necessary to change your lying position during treatment, the
therapist will first make sure that you remain properly covered
and then tell you what to do (such as turning over). Our massage
therapists are all well-trained in draping techniques.
If you are uncomfortable with any aspect
of the massage, you should inform the therapist immediately.
What if I don't want to undress?
Other forms of massage such as
shiatsu do not require undress.
Shiatsu is a Japanese form of finger pressure massage
and it is available at the Pacific Wellness.
What
else is necessary besides treatment?
You will be in the treatment room for approximately
an hour. How you spend the other 23 hours of the day also influences
your recovery and therefore, requires some attention. You might
be advised to do or not to do certain exercises, apply heat
or ice packs. In some cases, altering your occupational and
recreational activities might be necessary. Your therapist will
make recommendations for your condition to assist your improvement.
Will
you instruct me in any stretching exercise that might be helpful
for my condition?
Since we would like to find out how you respond
to the massage treatment alone, we rarely ask you to start
any exercise regime during the first several visits. At
some point, your therapist may feel you will benefit by doing
certain stretching or strengthening exercises at your home or
office. In this case, he or she may recommend a specific exercise
for your condition. Please note that time spend for exercise
instruction is during your session. Therefore your actual time
being massaged will be shortened accordingly. It is also important
to note that exercise will not provide any benefit unless you
are committed to do it regularly and following the instructions.
In case you are not ready for this or already have someone looking
after you in this area, please do not hesitate to inform the
therapist.
What
are the benefits of massage during pregnancy?
Massage is a wonderful way to relax, relieve
pain and discomfort, and help you cope with stress and fatigue
during pregnancy. Massage helps relieve pain in your muscles
and joints that must support extra weight and helps increase
flexibility, making it easier for your body to adjust to additional
weight.
Massage therapy is one of the ideal natural therapies
for management of chronic conditions and prevention of illness. Regularly scheduled massage treatments are particularly essential
since many medications that are considered relatively safe or
acceptable to control these symptoms and discomforts (such as
pain killers, anti-inflammatory, laxatives, sleeping pills)
are not recommended (or desirable) to take during pregnancy.
Does
my insurance cover the cost of massage?
Many insurance plans provide excellent coverage
for massage therapy by a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT). In some cases, we can bill directly to your insurance company.
Click here for more information.
Should
I tip?
Our massage therapists are health professionals (licensed under the Health Practitioners Act-the same law that governs physicians, dentists, etc.*). Tipping is not expected and necessary. Your return visits are the best reward and your referral is always most appreciated. * Tipping for registered massage therapy varies depending on the type of facilities. It is often customary to tip if you receive a massage at spas or salons.
Who does the massage at the Pacific Wellness?
At Pacific Wellness, your massage will be
given by a Massage Therapist registered in Ontario. Currently,
the Ontario licensing program to becoming the registered massage
therapist is a 2200 hour course, followed by the provincial
board exam. In addition, our therapists must complete additional
training at our institute to further meet our top of the industry
standards. Click to see our staff >>>
Research: Massage Decreases Lumbar Fatigue
Read about massage research conducted at The Pacific Wellness Institute featured in Massage Magazine
Text book of Massage
and Shiatsu Therapy
Co-Authored by Dr. T.H. Tanaka,
Director of The Pacific Wellness Institute in Toronto
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