FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I buy a gift certificate?
Yes, gift certificates are available for that special occasion! Simply send us an email or call and let us know how long of a massage therapy appointment you would like. Or let us know if it is a specialty appointment you’d prefer to purchase, such as Infant Massage & CranioSacral Therapy or a Prenatal Massage. At this time, we only accept e-transfers or cash transactions. We can mail the GC for you or you can come by to pick it up.
What is Massage Therapy?
The practice of Massage Therapy is defined as the assessment of soft tissue and joints of the body and the treatment and prevention of physical dysfunction and pain of the soft tissue and joints by manipulation to develop, maintain, rehabilitate or augment physical function or relieve pain. (Massage Act, 1991)
Massage Therapy has been a regulated health profession since 1946. The College of Massage Therapy of BC (CMTBC) is our governing board. In order to maintain our accreditation, RMTs must take continuing education courses throughout the year designed to increase our practical (hands on) education as well as our professional development and ethical standards. RMTs all have liability and malpractice insurance.
The terms “Registered Massage Therapy” and “Massage Therapy” are reserved for RMTs actively registered with the CMTBC. When choosing a massage therapist, you can be confident that you are choosing a licensed therapist that is mandated to provide safe and effective health care.
Massage Therapy has been a regulated health profession since 1946. The College of Massage Therapy of BC (CMTBC) is our governing board. In order to maintain our accreditation, RMTs must take continuing education courses throughout the year designed to increase our practical (hands on) education as well as our professional development and ethical standards. RMTs all have liability and malpractice insurance.
The terms “Registered Massage Therapy” and “Massage Therapy” are reserved for RMTs actively registered with the CMTBC. When choosing a massage therapist, you can be confident that you are choosing a licensed therapist that is mandated to provide safe and effective health care.
What can I expect during a Massage Therapy treatment?
Your appointment will consist of an assessment portion, treatment portion, re-assessment portion and time for homecare/exercise instructions.
The assessment will include a chat about what you are here for, the goal of the treatment, and to obtain consent. We will be discussing the possible mechanism of injury and/or areas of discomfort and symptoms you may be experiencing. We may also include a number of special tests to further understand the pathology(issue). Range of motion testing and muscle strength testing are two such examples. We will also discuss any past injuries/surgeries that may be relevant and whether you are taking any medication that may alter our treatment. We will want to know if any systemic conditions may be influencing your symptoms as well.
Together we will formulate a treatment plan and you will be part of the decision making process. This plan may alter during future sessions as you heal or if there are new injuries/issues that need treating. A new treatment plan will be made with your consent.
The treatment portion could include any number of massage therapy techniques to aid in healing. Our therapists at Sunrise Health are trained in a wide variety of techniques:
Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, prenatal and postnatal massage, myofascial therapy, neuromuscular therapy, muscle energy techniques, visceral therapy, intra-oral TMJ massage therapy, CranioSacral Therapy, joint mobilization, hydrotherapy, trigger point work, scar tissue mobilization, and sports massage. Any combination of these may be used during a treatment session.
During this time, you will also be changing out of clothes and back into clothes to the degree that you feel comfortable. Please note, we only undrape areas of the body that we are treating at that moment. Our therapists will always ask your consent before treating near areas deemed "sexualized".
Re-assessment is always done post treatment either, verbally or by redoing a special test, to confirm any changes. These will be noted in your health file.
Homecare and exercises are typically given after re-assessment. We will show you how to properly stretch and/or strengthen a specific muscle or muscles to decrease your discomfort and prevent recurrence. We may also give homecare instructions such as; proper sleeping positions, postural corrections, proper work or activity ergonomics to name a few.
The assessment will include a chat about what you are here for, the goal of the treatment, and to obtain consent. We will be discussing the possible mechanism of injury and/or areas of discomfort and symptoms you may be experiencing. We may also include a number of special tests to further understand the pathology(issue). Range of motion testing and muscle strength testing are two such examples. We will also discuss any past injuries/surgeries that may be relevant and whether you are taking any medication that may alter our treatment. We will want to know if any systemic conditions may be influencing your symptoms as well.
Together we will formulate a treatment plan and you will be part of the decision making process. This plan may alter during future sessions as you heal or if there are new injuries/issues that need treating. A new treatment plan will be made with your consent.
The treatment portion could include any number of massage therapy techniques to aid in healing. Our therapists at Sunrise Health are trained in a wide variety of techniques:
Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, prenatal and postnatal massage, myofascial therapy, neuromuscular therapy, muscle energy techniques, visceral therapy, intra-oral TMJ massage therapy, CranioSacral Therapy, joint mobilization, hydrotherapy, trigger point work, scar tissue mobilization, and sports massage. Any combination of these may be used during a treatment session.
During this time, you will also be changing out of clothes and back into clothes to the degree that you feel comfortable. Please note, we only undrape areas of the body that we are treating at that moment. Our therapists will always ask your consent before treating near areas deemed "sexualized".
Re-assessment is always done post treatment either, verbally or by redoing a special test, to confirm any changes. These will be noted in your health file.
Homecare and exercises are typically given after re-assessment. We will show you how to properly stretch and/or strengthen a specific muscle or muscles to decrease your discomfort and prevent recurrence. We may also give homecare instructions such as; proper sleeping positions, postural corrections, proper work or activity ergonomics to name a few.
Will my extended health benefit plan cover Massage Therapy?
Most extended health plans cover massage therapy by an RMT. The majority of plans cover 80% or 100% up to a certain amount per calendar year. Few plans require a doctor’s note prior to treatment nowadays, but some still do.
Unfortunately, we are unable to verify your coverage for you. There are many different insurance providers and many different policies. Check online or call them directly to find out your particular coverage.
Unfortunately, we are unable to verify your coverage for you. There are many different insurance providers and many different policies. Check online or call them directly to find out your particular coverage.
Do you bill directly to Pacific Blue Cross and other extended health benefit plans?
Yes and No. We only bill directly to Pacific Blue Cross at this time. Please bring your policy # and ID # to your first appointment.
Do you accept ICBC and WCB claims?
ICBC: We welcome anyone with an ICBC claim to come in to our clinic for treatment. However, we do not bill directly to ICBC. We will issue you a receipt after your massage therapy session which can be submitted to your specialist (formerly called your "adjuster") for reimbursement.
As of May 1st 2021, ICBC has new treatment guidelines called Enhanced Care. Whether the accident is deemed your fault or not, ICBC will pay $85 for the next 12 sessions of massage therapy. These 12 sessions need to be done within 12 weeks of the date of the accident. You do not need a doctor's referral to access care. A Massage therapy session typically costs more than $85. You will be able to submit the remaining amount to your extended health plan after submitting the receipt to ICBC. *If you haven't completed the 12 sessions in the 12 weeks or if you require further massage after having done 12 sessions, we can contact your specialist and provide a treatment plan. Approval of further treatment is decided by your specialist.
When booking your initial ICBC appointment online, please include your specialist’s (formerly called your adjuster's) contact information, your claim # and the date of the accident (the MVA) on our intake form. If this is a subsequent visit, please put this information in the "notes" section when booking. If you have a doctor's referral, which isn't required, please bring it in for us to copy for your case file.
WCB: We currently do not bill to WCB directly. Check with your WCB claims adjuster to inquire if you can get reimbursement from an RMT that doesn't bill directly to WCB. Most adjuster's will allow this. Alternatively, to find an RMT that accepts these claims in your neighbourhood go to the RMTBC website at rmtbc.ca.
As of May 1st 2021, ICBC has new treatment guidelines called Enhanced Care. Whether the accident is deemed your fault or not, ICBC will pay $85 for the next 12 sessions of massage therapy. These 12 sessions need to be done within 12 weeks of the date of the accident. You do not need a doctor's referral to access care. A Massage therapy session typically costs more than $85. You will be able to submit the remaining amount to your extended health plan after submitting the receipt to ICBC. *If you haven't completed the 12 sessions in the 12 weeks or if you require further massage after having done 12 sessions, we can contact your specialist and provide a treatment plan. Approval of further treatment is decided by your specialist.
When booking your initial ICBC appointment online, please include your specialist’s (formerly called your adjuster's) contact information, your claim # and the date of the accident (the MVA) on our intake form. If this is a subsequent visit, please put this information in the "notes" section when booking. If you have a doctor's referral, which isn't required, please bring it in for us to copy for your case file.
WCB: We currently do not bill to WCB directly. Check with your WCB claims adjuster to inquire if you can get reimbursement from an RMT that doesn't bill directly to WCB. Most adjuster's will allow this. Alternatively, to find an RMT that accepts these claims in your neighbourhood go to the RMTBC website at rmtbc.ca.
Do you accept MSP claims?
MSP: We currently do not bill directly to MSP. However we welcome anyone with MSP into our clinic for treatment. You would pay us the full amount of the massage therapy session, then submit your receipts for reimbursement online. Alternatively, to find an RMT that does bill directly to MSP check the RMTBC website at rmtbc.ca.
MSP benefits are only for individuals with a Status Card and people earning less than $42,000 per year. MSP pays $23.00 per treatment, up to 10 treatments in a calendar year. This total of 10 treatments is shared with other disciplines such as physiotherapy, acupuncture, naturopathy to name a few. So it isn't 10 treatments of each discipline, but 10 treatments combined.
MSP benefits are only for individuals with a Status Card and people earning less than $42,000 per year. MSP pays $23.00 per treatment, up to 10 treatments in a calendar year. This total of 10 treatments is shared with other disciplines such as physiotherapy, acupuncture, naturopathy to name a few. So it isn't 10 treatments of each discipline, but 10 treatments combined.