Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! For RMT and Acupuncture treatments, we provide direct billing with Blue Cross and with the providers partnered with Telus Health Claims, and more. All of our therapists are contractors and responsible for their own billing, therefore some providers may bill to more than the mentioned insurers. Unfortunately we do not direct bill to ICBC, WCB, or MSP.

Somatic Therapy is not available for direct billing, please check with your insurance provider regarding the availability of reimbursement.

RMT stands for Registered Massage Therapist. To use the term massage therapist in British Columbia, you must have completed and passed a 2000-3000 hour course, a rigorous 6 hour written exam and a 3 hour practical exam through the College of Massage Therapists of BC. As RMT’s we are under the umbrella of BC Medical Services. We have extensive education and knowledge of the musculoskeletal system and nervous system.

A body worker or masseuse is someone who does massage. There is no regulatory body governing people that provide this service.

Absolutely! Anyone from infancy to advanced age can benefit from massage. A treatment is tailored to each individual. Naturally, a massage for a 250 pounds, male athlete is different from a massage for an eight year old child. Parents are welcome to stay in the room. Consent is always requested, and can be withdrawn at any time during treatment. Whether a child or adult is being treated, you must always feel safe during your treatment.

Please see Conditions for some reasons you may want to book an appointment.

It certainly can be depending on what the condition is. The main difference is the treatment options themselves. In community acupuncture you receive acupuncture, in a private acupuncture session you may also receive cupping, moxibustion, herbal medicine or specific needling on the trunk/back/thighs. In community acupuncture the points selected will be on the hands/feet, arms/ legs, head and upper neck. This will limit the points that are available in this open setting, but these points are the most important points on the body. These points make up the foundation of almost every acupuncture session anyways, so you are not missing out on the benefits of acupuncture. Community acupuncture is significantly more affordable then private acupuncture, allowing people to go more frequently, which is extremely beneficial. Frequency can be a big barrier to successful treatment plans, going to acupuncture twice a week is better than going once! Every patient is different and your practitioner will give you a recommendation on how often acupuncture is required to reach your health goals, or if another modality will serve you better.

All treatments will always accommodate clients’ comfort levels regarding draping and skin exposure. Here are more specifics:

Massage:

Disrobing is always to the comfort level of the client. The use oil and Swedish/deep tissue techniques cannot be be effectively performed over clothing, but other techniques such as compression, stretching, and some fascial techniques can be. Typically people disrobe and may choose to leave undergarments on or not, however as mentioned, we will always work within clients’ comfort zones and accommodate all preferences. We are always professional with draping and will make sure you are comfortable and secure throughout your treatment.

Acupuncture:

Access to some, but not all Acupuncture points may require the removal of clothing. Client comfort and security is always maintained through professional draping.

Community Acupuncture:

Loose, comfortable clothing is recommended so that clients can stay comfortably covered in the group setting while still allowing the practitioner to be able to move the clothing around to provide access to Acupuncture points.

Somatic Therapy:

Clothing comfortable enough to allow light movement and laying down.

That is entirely up to you. Personally, I think you will have a better experience if you get out of your head and simply reside in sensory experience and not talk. But conversation is great too. You develop a relationship with your therapist, and it is natural to want to connect through conversation.

Yes.

There are nerves and blood vessels very close to, and running through muscles. If you have a headache for a few hours after a neck massage, that is normal and ok, as long as you experience overall benefit. A headache that lasts for 8 hours or more means your therapist likely went too deep. Let them know next time.

There are other factors that affect how you feel after massage: Did you drink lots of coffee that day? Did you drink water before and after massage? These are just a couple of factors that affect your massage experience.

It is like working out. A little soreness is normal. If you are sore for a couple of days, just like your workout, the treatment may have been a little too deep. This can be largely prevented if you make sure you drink adequate water before and after treatment. Dehydrated muscles are more likely to be sore after massage than well hydrated muscles.

No, no! This isn’t true!” But alas, the yoga we see in the media is truly for skinny, bendy people, absolutely elitist and inaccessible to many.

However, the value in a yoga pose is not in achieving the external form. Key actions from deep within the body that may or may not end up looking like a yoga pose are where the benefits lie. If you simply remain anchored to your breath, intention and will, you access greater strength and control in your body. You will be amazed at how accessible yoga actually is. Let us help you navigate your practice.