FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions
Is massage therapy covered under OHIP?
No; however, many workplace health insurance plans have coverage for massage therapy. Ask your insurance provider for details of your plan. Some (not most) plans require an MD's referral.
How far ahead do I need to call for an appointment?
Same-day appointments are sometimes available; however to be sure of getting the appointment time you want it is better to call a few days ahead. After-work appointment times are the most popular and may need more notice.
Does massage hurt?
No! Our therapists are careful to work within each client's pain threshold. If you enjoy more of a deep-tissue experience, you and the therapist may discuss the difference between "good pain" which feels satisfying, as though something is releasing in your tissues, and "bad pain" which feels unpleasant. At any point in the treatment you are encouraged to let your RMT know if you'd prefer less (or more) pressure.
Why do some of your massage therapists charge different rates?
As RMTs, if our income exceeds the HST cut-off, we are obliged to collect HST on each treatment fee and remit it to the government; this adds about $10 to a one-hour fee. Deborah Kempel charges a little more due to the large amount of advanced training she's done. Fana Koitsopoulos works primarily at other clinics and at this point has adopted her pricing, which includes HST.
How often should I have a massage?
Your massage therapist will discuss their recommendation for you as an individual. Generally, if you have a specific condition such as headaches, tendinitis or back pain you may want to come in more frequently for a while, perhaps once a week for a few weeks until your symptoms level off; whereas a less frequent interval, say once every three to six weeks, works well as part of a preventative healthcare regimen. Some people come occasionally if they are sore, or just for a treat!
How should I expect to feel after a treatment?
It can vary depending on the person and the type of treatment; people tend to feel quite relaxed and generally feel better than they did when they came in. It is also possible to feel "worked over" after a deep treatment, similar to how you would feel after a heavy workout, and sometimes after the subtle work (advanced manual therapy) one's balance is off briefly as the body re-adjusts. I often feel taller! If as a therapist I am concerned that someone may have temporary soreness I will encourage them to drink more water than usual over the next 24 hours, maybe to have an epsom salts bath, and if they have a sore area which we have been working on to use an ice pack for 10 minutes or so. Mentally the reactions vary: you may feel more grounded, glowing, blissful, sleepy or energized.
Do you have a cancellation policy?
Yes. We have a 24-hour cancellation policy.
If I'm sick, should I still come for my massage?
If you have a fever or an active gastro-intestinal bug, or if you are coughing so much that it's hard to lie down, it is better to stay home and rest. If you just have a cold you may certainly come if you feel up to it. If you've been coughing for a while but are starting to feel better, massage can accelerate the healing process.
Is there music playing during a treatment?
We generally play relaxing music of some kind. You are welcome to ask your therapist to change or turn off the music if you prefer, or you may bring your own CD to listen to (at this point only one of the treatment rooms has an ipod docking station).
