Frequently Asked Questions
Answering your questions
If you are new to massage and/or athletic therapy, we understand that you might have some questions. We are confident that we have the answers to your inquiries. Below are the answers to the questions that are most commonly asked about any services that our clinic provides. Feel free to reach out to the clinic and/or your therapist if you have any addition questions/comments. After all, your experience and your treatment plan is about YOU and the care/movement of YOUR body!
Should you have additional questions please feel free to contact us.
Is it safe to book an appointment for an in-person session?
We must remember that we are still experiencing a pandemic in this current time and we all have responsibilities when it comes to maintaining our personal health and safety and the health and safety of others. We have prepared for reopening to be in compliance with all suggestions from Public Health Ontario, Ministry of Health, as well as our professional governing bodies (i.e. CMTO).
- Our infection prevention protocols and cleaning and sanitization procedures have been improved and are extensive. This includes all medical grade hand soaps, disinfectants, detergents and other cleaners, etc.
- All linens (as always) are single use and laundered daily.
With that being said, the nature of the manual therapies we provide is very personal in nature, therefore there is always a risk of exposure even with all of the recommended Public Health and Regulatory College guidelines in place. Our therapists are doing what they can to provide as safe a session as possible (this includes abiding by all restrictions in place inside AND outside of the clinic environment) and we ask that you do the same to keep you, your family and our Sports Therapy Solutions family safe as well! We are all in this together!
Note: If you would like more information about what we are doing "behind the scenes" in our clinic environment, talk to your therapist and/or ask for our Infection Control and Prevention Checklist before your appointment. This checklist is also posted in our clinic space.
Why is your booking system unavailable? How do I book an appointment?
Due to the backlog that we are experiencing, we have decided to temporarily disable the online booking option. To book your appointment, please contact your therapist directly (therapist contact information found here). Your therapist will add you to their existing booking list and will reach out with appointment date(s)/time(s) as they become available.
This booking process is in place for now to allow for our therapists to prioritize patient needs on a case by case basis, allow for each patient that has reached out since closures and active patients prior to closures to get a fair chance at receiving in-person treatments if they so choose, to allow our therapists to book appointments while still adhering to appropriate protocols and procedures that happen between patient appointments, as well as (and more importantly) to be sure that our therapists do not become overwhelmed. Our therapists, due to the closures made on March 16 2020, have not been providing care since and therefore, we believe it is important for them to recondition themselves in addition to adjusting to their "new normal" that requires more time throughout their day that is unavailable for booking, which also includes additional administrative responsibilities.
Are you accepting new patients during this time?
Currently, we are still working with extensive backlog. Our therapists are working diligently to book in as many of our active patients as possible. That being said, if you have been referred by someone (i.e. friend, family member...), please reach out to that therapist or e-mail the clinic directly and you may be placed on a booking list. Please be aware, however, that because our therapists are booking through backlogged active patients, a new patients wait time may be extensive.
*Note: Active patients refers to patients that are in our system and have received treatments within the last year.
What are Virtual/TeleHealth Sessions? Will they work for me?
These sessions are to decrease in-person appointments and to help with backlogging during this time. This is something we have implemented since our COVID-19 closure in March.
These types of sessions will be determined by your therapist in regards to what your specific needs are. We strongly suggest these sessions if you are someone that requires a program including a large amount of exercise, are currently in a later stage of healing that may include returning to work/play and are comfortable with programs that have previously been set in place and supervised by your therapist, a program that includes a lot of self-care/maintenance work, or if you are not feeling comfortable with in-person treatments. If you are a high-risk individual, we also recommend virtual care as it is the safest route for you!
Moving forward, your therapist may add virtual therapy to your home exercise programming in order to prolong your time between appointments to allow for our therapists to prioritize in-person appointments (for example: post-operative patients) and to improve your accountability and healing potential!
COMMONLY ASKED THERAPY QUESTIONS
How will massage therapy benefit me?
With professional massage therapy you can experience relief from muscular tension and pain, receive increased range of motion and a reduction of mental stress levels. Massage is a natural healing process that can deliver both physical and emotional benefits.
Treatments are specifically tailored to meet your needs.
Do I have to be an athlete or have a sports related injury to receive Athletic Therapy?
No! Athletic therapy is for everyone! Athletic Therapists are experts in rehabilitating orthopaedic injuries rapidly as well as trained in concussion management and treatment. Although you can commonly spot an Athletic Therapist working with sports organizations (amateur, varsity and professional), we are always willing to treat your injuries whether they were caused by sports, work, or life as we know it. When working with an Athletic Therapist, you will be treated athletically - in other words, expect exercises that are individually prescribed for you (this includes your injury needs, your personal goals, current or returning to activity level or lifestyle, etc) and a wholistic approach that is designed to treat the cause and not just your area of pain.
How often will I need treatments?
Your body will always let you know the answer to this question. Some people require only a few sessions to treat a specific problem, while others become regular users of massage therapy as both proactive and preventative healthcare. Massage can help maintain good muscle tone, flexibility, and help correct muscular injuries. Your therapist is also a good resource and can suggest how many sessions may benefit you.
How old does a person need to be to receive massage therapy/athletic therapy?
Any age. Massage/athletic therapy treatments are effective from birth until palliative care stages.
Which regions of my body get massaged?
The therapist will ask you what you want to get out of the session. You will also be asked to describe any chronic problems that you are experiencing. This will determine the appropriate regions of your body that need attention. A typical full-body massage involves your back, neck, shoulders, arms, legs, feet, and hands.
Will I experience muscle soreness following a massage therapy treatment?
Most people report feeling very relaxed, and often experience significant relief from aches, pains and stress after a massage session. However, some people, especially those who require deep-tissue massage, experience mild muscle soreness which may last a day or two. Once the soreness is gone, they often notice heightened energy levels and an increased range of motion. Increased soreness post-massage may also be indicative of your hydration levels due to the physiological changes that happen at a cellular level after a massage. This is why your therapist will always suggest consistent hydration routine, especially pre and post massage sessions.
What if I am uncomfortable with the personal nature of a massage as a first time patient? Do I have to take off all of my clothes?
It is not uncommon for first-time clients to be apprehensive with the personal nature of massage therapy. Most clients lose this apprehension within the first few minutes of treatment. Massage therapists are trained professionals who respect your feelings and will create a treatment session that is catered to your needs and what YOU are comfortable with and consent to. Our therapists will consistently check-in with you and allow for open communication to make sure that your experience is a positive healing experience.
In regards to clothing, no you do not have to take off all of your clothes! One of the keys to the success for your massage therapy session is your ability to relax and feel comfortable. Therefore, the decision is yours; remove only the articles of clothing that you are comfortable with removing. Traditional full-body massage treatments work best administered directly, without the barrier of clothing on the areas massaged. During a session you will be fully covered with a table sheet/blanket, only the area of your body that is being worked on is uncovered. Before and after the session, you will undress and dress in complete privacy. The decision is yours! Your massage session will be designed for you whether you are comfortable with draping techniques or you want to wear active wear!
Will my extended healthcare plan cover the costs of massage therapy or athletic therapy treatments?
Yes. Most extended healthcare plans include massage therapy. Some plans may ask you to first receive a physician's referral before you are able to be reimbursed for your claims.
If you are looking for Athletic Therapy in your extended health plans, we suggest you call your provider. Athletic Therapy in Ontario has come a long way and are still continuing to become further recognized with insurance providers. You are your own best advocate! If you do not have Athletic Therapy but have found it to be a positive addition to your rehabilitation, talk to your Medical Practitioner about it, your Human Resources department, and or your Insurance Provider!
Feel free to contact us and we will be happy to help you determine your plan's coverage.
