Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

A. The Health Professions Act (2008) defines massage therapy as a “health profession in which a person provides, to develop, maintain, rehabilitating or augmenting physical function, or relieving pain or promoting health, the services of:

1. assessment of soft tissue and joints of the body, and
2. treatment and prevention of physical dysfunction, injury, pain and disorders of soft tissue and joints of the body by manipulation, mobilization and other manual methods.”

Registered massage therapy is massage done by a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT), who undertakes up to 3000 hours of training and then passes board exams to register with the College of Massage Therapist of BC; RMTs must maintain their registration by participating in continuing education.

Want to learn more about the evolution of massage therapy? Read our blog post on the topic.

A. All massage techniques interact with your body, mind and nervous system in layers of context. With this in mind, the best technique for you depends on your preference and what feels good to you. You can chat with your RMT about your treatment goals and they can suggest appropriate techniques.

To learn more about each massage technique and how massage works, read our blog post on the topic.

A. Current research concludes that massage therapy treatments can:

• help reduce levels of anxiety and depression
• improve quality and duration of sleep, and
• decrease pain levels, including general pain, chronic headache pain, and shoulder, neck, back, arthritic, postoperative and temporomandibular pain

To learn more, read our blog post on the topic.

Book a session with an Intent Health Clinic RMT today!

A. Some people experience muscle soreness after a massage, and others don’t. Post-massage soreness can feel enjoyable or uncomfortable, depending on the person. To relieve post-massage soreness, applying heat for 15 minutes can help, followed by moving the area with some gentle range of motion.

If you have a condition where you’re prone to uncomfortable muscle soreness that you’d like to minimize, your RMT can work with you to find the techniques and pressure that feel most comfortable for you. During your next appointment, tell one of our RMTs how you felt after your last massage in order to help create a treatment plan that best meets your needs.

A. That depends.

If you need medical attention or your pain is so intense that a treatment wouldn’t be enjoyable, then a massage isn’t the best course of action at this time. However, if you’re experiencing pain that isn’t life-threatening, that could benefit from a soothing massage experience, then come!

Depending on which area in your body is experiencing pain, you may discuss with your RMT either focusing on that area, or avoiding that area and helping other areas to relax.

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A. Yes. If you’re encountering any of these symptoms or conditions, coming for a massage is not appropriate:

• Fever, nausea, vomiting or any contagious condition
• Blood clots
• Serious medical conditions requiring emergency medical care, and
• Systemic or oral cancer treatments where radiation remains in the body (this excludes external radiation treatments; in this case your RMT would avoid the radiated area and make adaptations for position/comfort)

If you’re interested in massage but have a medical condition that you’re not sure would work well with massage, consult your doctor.

A. Trauma-informed massage is an approach to massage practice and not a technique. For instance, an RMT is aware of the impacts of trauma on the body and mind, and takes precautions and steps to ensure the patient feels safe and receives the best treatment possible. A trauma-informed RMT:

• is aware of the prevalence of trauma in the body and its impacts
• understands that safety and trust are paramount in practitioner-patient relationships that involve consensual close contact and therapeutic touch
• creates opportunities for choice, and collaboration, and
• builds on strengths to foster resilience and self-care strategies

To learn more about trauma-informed massage practice, read our blog post on the topic.

A. We incorporate current scientific evidence into each of our massage treatments, combined with our clinical expertise and your personal needs and preferences to ensure we give you the best possible care.

A. At Intent Health, we advocate for person-centered care. What does this mean? We understand each patient is a unique individual who is an active and empowered participant in their own personalized care. As such, we respect our patients’ values, beliefs, preferences, needs, hopes, cultural backgrounds and ways of dealing with adversity, and we work to build rapport and trust. Curiosity, compassion and collaboration are foundational to patient centered-care.

In short, we build our massage therapy sessions around what works best for each individual.

A. Yes!

We have RMTs with training in prenatal and postnatal massage. We also have special pregnancy pillows so you can lie face-down or on your side comfortably. To learn more, read our team’s bios, our blog post on prenatal massage or book an appointment today.

A. While all RMTs receive the same training, each practitioner has their own style. Check out our team’s bios to find out who might be the best fit for you. You’re welcome to book in with different RMTs at our clinic to see who you click with.

A. You’ll sit down with your RMT and review your intake form. This can include:

• a discussion about your health history and treatment goals
• an assessment of your condition
• discussing areas that you don’t want treated and the areas that are a priority for you
• developing a treatment plan together and consenting to the treatment plan
• options for disrobing, keeping clothing on, and/or draping during the treatment
• hands-on massage therapy
• reassessment and check in about what worked for you or if there is anything you would change for next time, and suggestions for homecare

A. The most common massage appointment is 60 minutes long, and we recommend this length for your first appointment. Note: Some RMTs also offer 45, 75 and 90 minute appointments by request.

Your appointment includes: a discussion/intake, assessment, hands on massage time, suggestions for homecare and collection of payment.

A. While massage often involves the use of oil or lotion directly on the skin, you can choose to keep your clothes on if this is more comfortable.

Let us know your preference on your intake form or during your first appointment. You can discuss which articles of clothing you’d like to keep on and what areas of the body you prefer to have treated—with or without oil or lotion. Ultimately, we’re here for you and can adapt to what feels most comfortable to you.

A. This depends on two things: what condition you want to address with massage therapy and your overall treatment goals. For example, if you are just starting to explore an acute issue, one or two treatments per week over four weeks may work well for you (and then reevaluate the treatment plan with your RMT). If massage therapy helps you de-stress, you may consider coming in once or twice a month; if you have an occasional issue that is easily resolved you might come in a few times a year. Your RMT can discuss a treatment plan that includes their recommendations for treatment frequency.

A. We require 24-hour notice to cancel your appointment, otherwise you’ll be charged the full cost of your session. Please note that extended health insurance plans and ICBC won’t cover missed appointments.

To cancel well in advance of your appointment, please do so through your online account. If you need to cancel with less than 24 hours notice, please call us at 604-428-8619. Thank you.

A. Yes. You can buy Intent Health Clinic gift cards here.

A: Generally yes. We ask everyone to refrain from wearing colognes and perfumes and from smoking before their appointment. Very occasionally, an RMT may have an essential oil scent in the room. Please let us know on your intake form if you have any scent sensitivities and we’ll ensure there are no scents in the treatment room for your appointment.

A. We provide direct billing with various insurance providers. For the full list, see https://intenthealth.ca/direct-billing.

A. Yes. Some of our RMTs offer direct billing with ICBC. For more details, see https://intenthealth.ca/icbc.

A. It depends. Most insurance plans don’t require a doctor’s referral, while some do. If you’re not sure, it’s best to contact your insurer to find out more.