Walking into a massage therapy clinic for the first time can feel a little unfamiliar if you have never been before. Here is what the visit actually looks like, from booking to walking back out the door.
Before you book
You do not need a referral to book registered massage therapy, whether you are coming in for general tension, a specific injury, or recovery after a car accident under an ICBC claim. If you have extended health coverage, it is worth checking how many visits and what dollar amount your plan allows each year, since that shapes how often you might come in.
When you arrive
Your therapist will ask about your health history and what is bothering you, then do a short assessment before treatment starts. This is the point to mention anything relevant: old injuries, areas that flare up, whether you are pregnant, or whether you are recovering from a recent procedure. None of this needs to be prepared in advance, just answered honestly on the day.
What to wear
Wear whatever is comfortable to get to the clinic. During treatment you undress to your comfort level and stay covered by a sheet throughout, with only the area being worked on exposed at any time. Your therapist steps out of the room while you get settled, and only as much clothing comes off as you are comfortable with.
During the treatment
The session itself is built around what your therapist found in the assessment, not a fixed routine. Pressure and pace are adjusted to you throughout, and you can ask for more or less at any point. If anything feels off, saying so partway through is completely normal and expected.
After your session
Depending on the type of treatment, you might feel a little tender afterward, similar to how you would feel after a good workout. Drinking water and moving gently through the rest of the day usually helps. Your therapist will also let you know if a particular rhythm of visits makes sense for what they found.
Paying for your visit
If you have extended health coverage, we direct bill most major providers, so on covered visits you typically pay only the portion your plan does not cover. For ICBC claims after a car accident, we bill ICBC directly. Either way, bring your policy or claim details to your first appointment and the billing side is handled for you.
Booking your first visit
Online booking shows real openings with each therapist, so you can see the soonest available time at a glance. Most weeks we can fit new patients in within a few days.