FAQs & Policies

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What do I need to know before my first appointment?

If you are a new client, please be sure to arrive 10-15minutes before your treatment time, as you will be required to fill out the Patient Information forms. If you only arrive at your scheduled time, you will lose part of your treatment time. We do give courtesy reminder emails (if you leave an email at the time of booking) – but please make sure you write your appointment times down. Failure to show up will result in a charge for the missed appointment.

I apologize as I do not treat WCB or ICBC claims at this time.

What is included in my treatment time?

For first time clients, your treatment time includes an assessment, a discussion about your current and past health concerns, as well as the complaint you’re seeking treatment for, and actual hands on treatment. This may or may not also include time for home care instructions, to help further your recovery. There will also be an in depth discussion about the nature of treatment and any concerns, questions or personal boundaries or limitations the patient has to help provide you with a well rounded treatment based on respect and consent to proposed treatments.

For returning clients, your treatment included a brief discussion to evaluate your progress and any new health concerns, actual hands on treatment and occasionally a re-assessment. This may or may not include time for home care instructions.

What kind of treatments do you provide?

I provide treatment for a variety of conditions such as (but not limited to):

• sprains or strains
• headaches and migraines
• chronic pain
• low back pain
• pregnancy (prenatal and postpartum)
• postural imbalances
• fibromyalgia
• post-injury and preventative care
• form assessment for strength training
• breathing difficulties due to restriction of tissue

If you are unsure of whether I will be able to aid you with your condition or area of concern, please feel free to contact me and we can discuss it further.

What kind of techniques do you use?

I use a variety of techniques which I incorporate in the most appropriate ways to suit your individual needs.

• Swedish massage
• Myofascial Release
• Selective Functional Movement Assessment
• Stretching and Strengthening
• Active and Passive Range of Motion Techniques
• Ligamentous Articular Strain Technique (L.A.S.T.)
• Lymphatic work (not MLD)
• Hot and Cold treatents
• Cranial Sacral

How many treatments will it take?

This is dependent on the unique factors surrounding your treatment (E.g. how long have you had it, severity, compounding issues etc.), and your involvement in your recovery (following home care instructions etc). This is something we can discuss further at the end of the initial treatment.

What are the side affects of Treatment?

Although treatments are designed to help you, all treatments regardless of technique or practitioner, can have side affects of varying degrees. These can range from (but are not limited to) feeling dizzy, nauseated, under the weather, increased soreness initially post treatment, fatigue, and even emotional releases such as crying. Any side effects should be discussed with your RMT for future treatments, however we cannot give medical advice in regards to over the counter medications such as Tylenol, Advil, or muscle relaxants. It is not in our scope of practice to do so, and is up to the patients discretion.

Can I bring Cannabis or Essential Oils for use in my session?

No. The use of Cannabis or Essential oil products are currently deemed out of the scope of practice for RMTs, and thus are not allowed to be used in your treatment session.

What is your cancellation policy?

We require a minimum of 48 hours notice for a cancellation/rescheduling of an appointment or fees will apply. This is to ensure that we have adequate time to fill your reserved space, and for you avoid any cancellation/rescheduling fees should we be unable to do so. If we are given under 48 hours notice, we will make every effort to fill your reserved appointment time or you may send someone in your stead (please let us know in advance), but we cannot guarantee results. In the event we cannot, the following fees apply:

• • Notice Given Under 48 hours – $30 fee
  • Notice Given Under 24 hours – 50% of original fee
  • Notice Given Same Day – 75% of original fee

If you miss an appointment, you will still be required to pay the full fee as if you had been present. We do give reminder emails as a courtesy for patients who leave a current address on file – but please ensure you write it down or place your appointment time in a secure place, as you are still responsible for attending! (You will be required to settle your account before the start of any future appointments.) Exceptions are occasionally made at the discretion of the therapist (Please do not ask the Admin staff).

Do I need a doctors’ referral to see you?

You will only need a doctors’ referral if required by your Extended Health Benefits (check with them before your appointment).

However, MSP* and BLUE CROSS (RCMP) claims, must bring a doctors’ referral in order to be covered by these insurance bodies. (*MSP only covers clients with Premium assistance or disability coverage. This status must be proved prior to your treatment).

Does insurance cover my treatments?

Registered Massage therapy is covered by most Extended Health Care plans. Check with your plan administrator about your plan and coverage, and whether a doctors’ referral is required.

We accept insurance plans and submit on your behalf (except for MSP), HOWEVER, it is ultimately the patient that is responsible to ensure full payment for services provided. Any percentage of said fee that is not covered by your insurance, you will be required to pay at the time of your appointment. If you have questions regarding the specifics of your benefit coverage, please contact your provider directly.

Current insurance plans we can submit to:

• • Chamber of Commerce Group Insurance,
  • CINUP
  • Cowan
  • Pacific BlueCross
  • Medavie BlueCross
  • Desjardins Insurance
  • First Canadian
  • Great-West Life
  • Green-Shield
  • Industrial Alliance
  • Johnson Inc.
  • Johnston Group Inc.
  • Manulife Financial
  • Maximum Benefit
  • Sun Life Financial. 

Do you accept WCB or ICBC patients?

I apologize as I do NOT treat WCB or ICBC claims at this time. Due to my current patient load, I am unable to to meet the scheduling requirements necessary for WCB or ICBC claims.

A Note for Records requests for Lawyers, ICBC and other

Need a copy of your personal health record? No problem! But there’s a few things you should know first…

• All processing of requests is usually completed within a two week period after receiving the request. However, if it has been over a year since your last visit, this will take longer as the file will have been archived, and thus requires increased time to locate. Indicating when your last visit was, will help speed up this process. If you are a former patient from a different clinic, please let me know, as that will also assist in this process.
• All requests will be honored (except in extreme cases for legal reasons and risk of harm), however the time, materials, etc. are billable services. And are payable either upon completion or prior to completion, depending on the nature of the request.
• A signed consent form, and a formal letter of the nature of the request must be present.
• Urgent Requests – if your request is urgent, this must be stated in the formal letter of the request, as well as a preferred date of receipt. There will be an additional fee for urgent requests. Although, I will always try to meet this date, I do NOT recommend leaving it until a few days or even a week before your date of need to make the request! There is no guarantee I can meet this deadline (holidays, family life etc.).

If your question is not addressed here, please contact me and I will respond to you personally as soon as possible.

If you should require, copies of our policies, bylaws, code of ethics and standards of practice are all available for you to view upon request at the clinic or you may visit www.cmtbc.ca under the Laws & Standards Section at any time https://www.cmtbc.ca/law-standards/ . Any questions can be directed at your therapist or to the college directly.