Massage Therapy | Frequently Asked Questions
What should I expect during my first massage therapy visit?
In your first massage therapy visit you will be required to complete a confidential health history questionnaire as part of the assessment process. This is important as your RMT needs to know if you have any medical conditions or are taking any medications which may impact your safety during treatment.
Your RMT will then listen to your specific concerns and ask you a few general questions to assess your specific needs. They may ask you about factors such as lifestyle, activity, nutritional status etc that may be contributing to your present functional level. He or she may then take you through some testing to evaluate your present condition and to assess your current status.
In consultation with you, and using the information from the assessment, your RMT will develop an appropriate treatment plan designed to get you back to your highest level of functioning.
Your RMT takes your comfort seriously so if you have any questions, your RMT wants you to let them know so that they may be addressed and the best course of treatment can be given.
Where will my massage session take place? Your massage will take place in a warm, dimly lit room on a comfortable, heated table. You will have the opportunity to ask for silence or request the playback of relaxing music.
What do I wear during the massage
As a trained professional, your massage therapist holds your comfort in the highest regard. As such, you will always have the choice on whether to remove any, some, or all of your clothing, if required, for treatment. Your RMT has been specifically trained to always respect your privacy. This includes allowing you to undress privately as well as using proper draping techniques to ensure that only those areas being worked on are uncovered. Your comfort and ability to relax is paramount for effective treatment.
What do I do during a massage therapy treatment?
The most important thing for you to do during your massage therapy session is to relax and enjoy it! For some people, that means closing their eyes and resting in comfortable silence. For others, it may involve friendly conversation with the RMT. It’s your massage, the choice is yours! If your RMT needs to reposition you, he or she will adjust you or ask you move into the required position.
Will the massage hurt?
Depending on the area or conditions being treated, massage work on soft tissues and joints may cause momentary discomfort, tenderness or soreness. This is not harmful and will usually diminish. Your RMT will establish a comfort baseline at the onset of treatment and will work within your tolerance level. That being said, be sure to let your RMT know if you have any questions or if you want to stop or alter treatment (e.g. more or less pressure).
Who can benefit from massage therapy?
Massage therapy is appropriate for individuals of all ages including infants, children, and the elderly. However, there are some conditions for which massage therapy is not appropriate. That’s why it is imperative that you receive treatment from a qualified RMT as they have the training to recognize those massage therapy contraindications. That’s also why it’s important that you completely and honestly fill out the confidential health information questionnaire to rule out any of those specific contraindications to massage therapy.
While there are massage therapists that treat a broad range of conditions, there are also others who tend to focus on certain populations (e.g. athletes, pregnant women etc) or specific conditions (lymphoedema, fibromyalgia etc.). Because of this, when booking your initial massage therapy session, make sure your RMT is the one for you.
How long will a massage treatment last?
At Primal Human Performance, our initial massage sessions, along with our typical full body treatments, will last approximately an hour. As a benefit to our time-constrained clients, we do offer half-hour follow-up massages (once an RMT assessment has been completed) but please bear in mind that these short massages only allow for a partial body coverage. Depending on the condition being treated, your therapist will decide how much time is necessary to accomplish the goals that the two of you have set.
How will I feel after the massage therapy treatment?
Most people feel quite relaxed after their massage therapy session. Some will experience immediately relief from long-term aches and pains developed from tension or repetitive activity. After an initial period of feeling slowed down, people often experience increased energy, heightened awareness, and greater productivity which can last for days. It is recommended you drink plenty of water following your massage. We recommend a hot Epsom salt bath post-massage that encourages relaxation.
How often should I have massage therapy?
While some people believe that one treatment may be enough, RMT is most beneficial in acute conditions when used over a series of treatments and then followed up with maintenance or preventative treatments.
In consultation with you, your RMT, can help develop a progressive treatment plan which takes your fitness and lifestyle needs into consideration. As an integral part of your optimal health and ultimate performance team, your RMT is a qualified healthcare professional with your best interests in mind.