Vancouver Massage Therapy | FAQ About Registered Massage Therapy

Massage Therapy FAQ

Massage vs Massage Therapy - Is There a Difference?

There are many positive, beneficial forms of massage, natural health, and different integrated modalities. In British Columbia however, a massage therapist (RMT) is registered and has had three years of college training in applied science and more than 3,000 hours of training, clinic, and in-reach/out-reach experience. In BC, massage therapists are registered with the College of Massage Therapy.

Only registered massage therapy treatments performed by an RMT are insurable under MSP, ICBC and extended health care plans in BC.

Vancouver Massage Therapy only employees registered massage therapists.

Do Extended Health Care Plans Cover Massage Therapy?

Generally speaking, yes. The details of plan coverage differ from one employer to the next, and from one employee to another. Typically, extended health care plans provide about $500 a year for massage therapy, some are less, some are unlimited, and some vary depending on the type of health care. Ask your Health Care Plan Administrator for details on your plan and coverage.

There are a small number of insurers that still require a doctor's referral for massage therapy; check to see if this applies to you.

Does ICBC Cover Massage Therapy?

ICBC requires a doctor's referral for massage therapy. If you are in a motor vehicle accident, tell your ICBC adjustor that you want to receive massage therapy treatments from an RMT; in most cases, they will allow 12 treatments in the 8 weeks following the date of your accident. However, they only cover about $23 of the treatment fee.

Does MSP Cover Massage Therapy?

Sometimes. MSP coverage is limited to those on 'Premium Assistance' (those earning less than about $28,000 a year). MSP allows up to 10 treatments a year, and covers about $23 of the treatment fee.

Vancouver Massage Therapy does not bill MSP directly, we are an opted-out clinic.

Does Blue Cross Cover Massage Therapy?

Yes. Vancouver Massage Therapy is able to bill Blue Cross directly for registered massage therapy treatments. A doctor�s referral may be required; check your healthcare plan for details..

Does Massage Therapy Hurt?

In a typical massage therapy treatment, your therapist will probably find and treat areas having tight or 'ropey' bands of muscle which have developed trigger points, most commonly called 'knots'. These points effectively shorten the muscle, pulling on adjacent structures, sometimes putting pressure on nerves and often referring pain to other regions of the body. Ideally, muscles would not have trigger points but they are present in the tissue about 99 percent of people, even children. It can be uncomfortable or painful while pressure is concentrated on these points, but the a majority of clients describe it as a 'good' pain. Here is where it is important to have good communication with your therapist. If you are experiencing more pain than you can handle, you should definitely tell your therapist!

Don't be shy about speaking up; a good treatment for us is how we best meet your needs.

How Often Should I Come For Massage Therapy?

As you can imagine, the answer varies greatly. The short answer is that it is always up to you. Some other therapies have more rigid treatment plans and schedules, but here you are definitely the boss. Generally, we have a quick check-in at the beginning or end of each treatment to see how you're experiencing the progress of your treatment. To give you an idea, a typical situation for an acute injury/dysfunction/muscle spasm would usually require 2-4 treatments close together, either 1 x/wk or 2x/wk (less common) and then, depending on your rate of recovery, taper to once or twice a month until you feel you no longer need treatment. Most people feel they benefit from a maintenance treatment about once a month.

What Is Massage Therapy?

Massage therapy is fundamentally a preventative, corrective and rehabilitative process of natural, drug-free health care. It is a hands-on process, quite literally, to manipulate and physically aid the body's muscles and soft tissue in recovery. With the skill and experience of a registered therapist, your specific injury, dysfunction, or stress-related condition are positively affected by massage therapy.

What Are The Benefits Of Massage Therapy?

Massage therapy is also a form of touch therapy - the positive exchange of energy between living creatures. As a therapy and science, massage therapy positively affects the muscular, nervous, and circulatory systems of your body to rehabilitate physical injuries and improve health. Today, stress is one of the leading causes of physical ailments, and one that we endure on a daily basis in Vancouver. Massage therapy is a leading natural therapy for improving your health and wellness.

What Do Massage Therapists Do?

Each individual has unique needs, and each treatment will be somewhat different based on each body's response to treatment, but the process remains the same. Massage therapists assess and correct many imbalances and dysfunctions within the body's soft tissues where injuries, stress, and other ailments are stored. We think of it as a 'muscle makeover', but massage therapy also promotes overall well being. This includes emotional stresses and loss.

Your massage therapist here at Vancouver Massage Therapy will use a variety of massage forms, stretching, and therapeutic techniques while working with you to achieve balance and improve your life.

Is Massage Therapy Right For Me?

Do you have stress in your life, a physical ailment, a soft tissue injury or emotional loss? These are the things massage therapy benefits. Perhaps your body is sore from being overworked or it aches from the weather - Vancouver massage therapy can help your condition and alleviate physical pain. Or, simply reward yourself after a week of hard work. We think we all deserve it.

Common Conditions

Below are some of the more common conditions treated by massage therapy:

� Neck and lower back pain

� General muscle pain

� Muscle spasms and sciatic pain

� Headaches

� Tendonitis (golf, tennis, baseball...gardening)

� Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

� Repetitive strains

� Sports injuries

� Chronic conditions

� Whiplash and MVA associated muscular injuries

� Pre/post-natal back pain

� Post-surgical complications

� Fibromyalgia

� Parkinsons

� Multiple Sclerosis

� Cerebral Palsy

For more information on how a massage therapy treatment might benefit you, call or email us. Be assured that your questions, privacy and identity are completely confidential here at Vancouver Massage Therapy.