Journal
Straight answers, no upsell.
The questions we get asked at the front desk, answered properly. Written by the registered massage therapists who do the treating.
How often should you get a massage?
Read itFor an active problem, most people start weekly or every two weeks for three to six sessions, then space out as symptoms settle. For maintenance once things are stable, every four to six weeks is typical. Frequency should come down over time; if it never does, the plan needs revisiting rather than repeating.
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Deep tissue or Swedish massage: which do you actually need?
Swedish massage uses broader, flowing strokes at lighter to moderate pressure and is aimed at general tension and relaxation. Deep tissue works slower and more specifically into deeper layers to address a particular restriction.
5 min readIs massage therapy covered by insurance in BC?
Most extended health plans in British Columbia cover registered massage therapy, usually as an annual dollar limit rather than a number of visits. Treatment must be delivered by a Registered Massage Therapist to be eligible.
5 min readWhat happens at your first massage appointment
A first appointment starts with a health history and a short assessment before any hands-on work. You undress only to your comfort level, in private, and stay covered by a sheet throughout, with only the area being treated uncovered.
5 min readHow ICBC massage and physiotherapy works in BC
After a motor vehicle accident in British Columbia, ICBC pre-approves a block of treatment including massage therapy, physiotherapy and kinesiology, with no doctor referral required. The clinic bills ICBC directly, so there is nothing to pay up front.
4 min readRMT or massage therapist: what registration actually means
In British Columbia, Registered Massage Therapist is a protected title. It requires a two-year accredited programme, provincial board examinations, and ongoing registration with the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC.
4 min readMassage or physiotherapy: which should you book first?
Start with physiotherapy when you have an injury, a post-surgical rehab plan, or a problem that changes how you move. Start with massage therapy when the main complaint is muscle pain, tension or stress load.
4 min readWhat does a manual osteopath actually do?
A manual osteopath uses slow, generally gentle hands-on techniques to find and ease restriction in joints, muscle, fascia and connective tissue, working from the idea that the painful area is not always the area causing the problem. Sessions are done clothed, and the work is lighter and more whole-body than most massage.
4 min readWhat to expect at your first acupuncture appointment
A first acupuncture appointment starts with a health history and a conversation about what you want treated, followed by needling that most people describe as a brief pinch and then a dull, heavy or warm sensation. Needles are sterile, single-use and very fine, and typically stay in for twenty to thirty minutes while you rest.
5 min readDesk work, neck pain and the late-afternoon headache
The classic late-afternoon headache that starts at the base of the skull and creeps forward is usually a tension-type headache, driven by hours of low-grade effort in the neck and shoulder muscles rather than by anything wrong in the head. Movement breaks, strength work and hands-on treatment address the driver; painkillers only mute the signal.
5 min readHow to choose a massage therapist in Kelowna
Check that the therapist is a Registered Massage Therapist with the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC, look for a first visit that includes an assessment rather than a set routine, and match extra training to your problem: lymphatic, TMJ, prenatal, sports or neurological work are all specific skills. Then book the length the clinic recommends for a first visit and judge the treatment by whether you leave with a plan.
5 min readWhat shockwave therapy treats, and what it does not
Shockwave therapy uses brief, focused acoustic pulses over a tendon or connective-tissue area to stimulate circulation and the cells that repair bone and connective tissue. It is used for tendon problems that have plateaued: plantar fasciitis, Achilles and patellar tendon pain, tennis and golfer's elbow, and shoulder tendon irritation.
4 min readLymphatic drainage massage: what it helps, and who it is for
Manual lymphatic drainage is a very light, slow, rhythmic massage that moves fluid through the lymphatic system toward the nodes that clear it. It is used for swelling after surgery or injury, fluid that collects in the legs, and some forms of lymphedema.
4 min readIs massage safe during pregnancy?
For most healthy pregnancies, massage from a registered massage therapist is safe in every trimester. The therapist changes positioning and pressure rather than the idea of massage itself: from mid-pregnancy you lie on your side with pillows, not flat on your back or front.
4 min readWhat does a kinesiologist do, and when should you see one?
A kinesiologist uses exercise as the treatment. They assess how you move, then build and coach a progressive plan to restore strength, mobility and confidence after an injury, surgery or a car accident.
4 min readSciatica: should you book massage or physiotherapy?
If the pain runs below the knee, came on with lifting or bending, or changes with sitting and standing, start with physiotherapy so the source can be assessed and a movement plan built. If it sits mostly in the buttock and hip with tight, tender muscles, massage therapy is a reasonable first step.
5 min read