About Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is the manual manipulation of the soft tissues of the body, to achieve a therapeutic response. It improves the circulation of the blood and lymph, relieves pain and stress, and may reduce blood pressure. Massage therapy has a sedative, calming effect. Massage therapy is designed to rehabilitate, maintain or improve physical function by performing manipulation
techniques. Massage therapists are also trained in hydrotherapy and remedial exercise. The therapeutic effects of massage therapy benefit men, women, pregnant women, infants, children and the elderly and can provide relief from a wide variety of mild and acute conditions. Massage therapy is not a substitute for medical examination or diagnosis. A massage therapist does not diagnose or prescribe for medical illness, disease, or any other physical or mental disorder. Massage Therapy Benefits
Massage therapy treats specific conditions as well as affecting the body as a whole. It promotes a general sense of well being, maintaining and restoring the body’s natural rhythm. A variety of techniques and modalities may be used to achieve optimal effects, according to your specific treatment goals. Massage therapy has been found to be beneficial as an adjunct to general stress reduction programs. Massage has a direct and indirect effect on all the systems of the body. An increasing number of clinical research studies show massage reduces heart rate, lowers blood pressure, increases blood circulation and lymph flow, relaxes muscles, improves range of motion and increases endorphins (enhancing medical treatment). Although therapeutic massage does not increase muscle strength, it can stimulate weak, inactive muscles and, thus, aid in the recovery from injury. The following is a list of conditions for which massage therapy, when provided by a Registered Massage Therapist, can prove beneficial:
Arthritis
Athletic injuries
Bursitis
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Fibromyalgia
Frozen shoulder
General muscle tension
Headaches and migraines
Insomnia
Low back pain
Muscle spasm
Muscle strains
Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI)
Respiratory problems
Stress
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD)
Tendonitis (tennis/golfers elbow, jumpers knee, achilles)
Thoracic outlet syndrome
Whiplash Associated Disorder
Health Insurance
Massage therapy is not covered under the Nova Scotia Health Plan. However, many insurance companies offer massage therapy coverage under their extended healthcare packages and most offer direct billing by the massage therapist. If online direct billing is available, your massage therapist would be paid directly by the company which leaves you with less paperwork. In the cases where online billing is not available, following payment for services, you can receive an insurance receipt for massage therapy services for you to submit to your insurance carrier for reimbursement. All plans are unique, so we recommend contacting your insurance provider for details of your coverage and to determine whether direct billing is an option for you. A referral is not necessary to visit a massage therapist however, if you are claiming massage under an extended health care plan, you may require a physician’s referral or other specific criteria for coverage. Check your individual policy to determine your type of coverage. In addition to billing Blue Cross and its associated benefits for RCMP and Veteran’s Affairs online, MTANS members are able to access the Telus system for clients with benefit plans through Great-West Life, Desjardins Insurance, Industrial Alliance, Standard Life, Chamber Group Insurance, Cowan, Johnson Inc., Maximum Benefit/Johnson Insurance, Sun Life Financial and Manulife Financial. What to Expect
An hour is a common length of time for a massage therapy appointment but many massage therapists also offer 30, 45, and 90 minute massage therapy treatment options. The fee for a one hour appointment may vary throughout the province. Your first visit
On your first visit, you will be asked to complete a written confidential health history form. Your therapist will perform a complete physical assessment so he/she can determine the best approach to your treatment. This may involve a postural assessment, range of motion testing, and palpating for pain or tenderness. This information is used to address your chief complaint and to plan the massage session. This process allows your therapist to provide a safe and effective massage therapy treatment. All treatments will be explained to you and will proceed only with your understanding and consent. The massage therapy treatment
In the massage therapy treatment, the client will disrobe to their comfort level and lie on a table between two sheets. Only the areas of the body being directly treated are uncovered at any one time. If you are ever uncomfortable with the pressure or technique being used, you can tell the therapist (i.e. to decrease or increase pressure, etc.). You can also stop the treatment at any time. You are always in complete control of the treatment. Once the massage treatment is over, the therapist will leave the room while you change. At this point the therapist will talk to you about the massage treatment and future course of action.
