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contraindications

There are certain instances when massage is contraindicated (meaning you shouldn’t get one, even if you’ve had one before).  Before booking, please check here to make sure that you are eligible to receive treatment.

  • How do I book an appointment?
    We book all appointments online, not over the phone. Book here.
  • What forms of payment do you accept?
    The easiest way to pay is to just use the credit card that is stored on file once you book an appointment. We as for a credit card upon booking as an insurance policy to discourage no-shows. Once the card is on file, we cannot see the number, it is completely secure. After your appointment, all we have to do on our end is hit "Pay," and you'll get the insurance receipt directly to your email. Taking payments this way allows us both to skip the check-out process entirely.
  • Are your prices inclusive of taxes?
    Massage Therapy is subject to HST. Prices inclusive of taxes are as follows: 60 min = $100 + 13% HST = $113.00 90 min = $150 + 13% HST = $169.50
  • Do you do direct billing?
    Not at this time, but we will provide you with a receipt to submit to your insurance so that they can reimburse you.
  • What is your cancellation policy?
    Massage Therapists are "time-for-fee" practitioners, meaning that if you book our time, thus preventing anyone else from doing so, you will be asked to pay for that time. If you would like to cancel your appointment, please provide us with at least 24 hours notice so that we have the chance to fill your slot. Appointments cancelled within the 24 hour period will be charged for the full cost of the appointment. If we are able to find someone to take your place, we will not charge you the cancellation fee. Insurance receipts cannot be provided for missed appointments. To do so would be considered insurance fraud.
  • I've missed my appointment and been charged. Can you at least provide an insurance receipt so that I can get some of the money back?
    People often agree to our cancellation policy, but then are very upset when we follow through with it. So we often get asked, can we give a receipt so that they can at least claim the appointment and be reimbursed? Unfortunately, we cannot. Insurance companies do not want to pay out for appointments that did not take place. If we were to give you a receipt that makes it look like you received treatment when you didn't, that would be considered insurance fraud, and it is something for which we could lose our license to practice.
  • Do you offer gift certificates?
    Yes, we are pleased to offer gift certificates for purchase. If you're interested in obtaining one, please reach out directly to Astra at astra@rosehillmassagetherapy.ca. However, it's important to note that insurance receipts cannot be provided for the redemption of gift certificates. Therefore, if both you and your partner are covered by an insurance plan, it may be more beneficial for you to pay for their massage directly rather than gifting a certificate. Gift certificates expire one year after purchase.
  • Where are you located?
    We are located downtown Strathroy at 95 Frank Street, right across the street from Poags. If you arrive to your appointment early, you can take advantage of the lovely waiting area inside.
  • Is there parking near by?
    There is street parking out front as well as a large paring lot behind Bossons Pharmacy.
  • When should I arrive for my appointment?
    Please arrive and buzz up no more than 10 minutes prior to your appointment. I always aim to bring you into the room 5-10 minutes prior to the start of your hour, as your session time includes a brief intake as well as the massage, so I want to make sure you get as much hands-on time as possible. We cannot push your appointment into the next time slot if you are late. We will also not decrease the rate to that of a shorter appointment.
  • I've never been for a massage, what should I expect?"
    ok, LET'S BREAK IT DOWN: Before your treatment, you will be asked to fill out a health history form. You will also be asked a few additional questions about your current condition and state of well-being. All of this information will help us to determine the safest and most effective treatment plan for your individual needs. With your permission, some orthopedic assessments may be performed, with the goal of determining the specific source of your discomfort, and how we should best proceed with treatment. If possible it is best to arrive for your appointment a few minutes early to allow time for the intake interview and assessments to take place before your treatment. Once the primary area of concern has been determined, your therapist will propose a treatment, explaining the techniques we think would be most beneficial to use and on which areas of your body. We will go over the benefits and risks (ie. your muscle’s may feel a little tender after deep tissue work), and we encourage you to ask as many questions as you please. We want you to feel fully informed, and be an active participant in your journey to wellness. Your therapist will then leave the room to allow you privacy to disrobe to your comfort level. Your privacy, safety and comfort are all very important to us, so please keep in mind that we will only ever undrape areas of your body that we’re working on at any given time, with your permission. If at any time during the massage you feel unwell, uncomfortable, or would like to stop the treatment all together, you are well within your power to do so. Your therapist will be sure to check in for your level of comfort throughout the massage, and if ever you find the pressure to be too much or too little, don’t hesitate to let us know so that we may modify or change the technique. Finally, if during the treatment you decide you’d like to spend more time on a certain area, or switch it up all together, just let us know. This is your hour! Never forget that you are the one in control, and the most important thing is that you benefit from the experience.
  • Do you have specialized training in pre-natal massage?
    Yes! While all RMT's learn how to safely administer pre-natal massage in school, I (Astra) underwent further training through Trimesters. Rest assured, you will be in very safe hands.
  • Do you do infant massage?
    Not yet.
  • Do I have to disrobe?
    That is entirely up to you. Most often, Swedish massage techniques work directly on the skin using a topical oil. However if you feel most comfortable in a head-to-toe onesie, your therapist will find a way to make it work. Our number one priortiy is that you feel safe and comfortable the entire time. Even if you do choose to disrobe, your most personal areas will be securely covered by the linens 100% of the time. If you book the Assisted Stretching treatment, it will actually be necessary to remain clothed, so please be sure to wear something stretchy.
  • Can you talk a little about Consent vs Special Consent?
    At every massage appointment, you are in control. That means you can give your consent for treatment, and also withdraw it at any time. Certain areas of the body are considered to be a little bit more personal (like your glutes or your upper chest). So before we work on any of those areas, we'll ask for your "special consent," which just means there will be a form to sign. This is a rule set forth by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO) and applies to all RMT's in the province. The CMTO asks us to have our patients sign the special consent form because that way, there has to be a discussion about the specifics of the treatment, and it mitigates the chance for any surprises. We just want to make sure that you are fully aware of and agree to the paramaters of the treatment before we begin. An important thing to remember (whether you see us at Rosehill, or any other therapist), is that even though you've signed the special consent form, you can still change your mind, and withdraw your consent at any time during the treatment.
  • What's the etiquette on talking during a massage?
    Again, entirely up to you. Some people love to chat, and some prefer to zone out and drift off. We'll follow your lead.
  • I don't like the pressure, but I feel awkward about speaking up.."
    If your therapist is ever doing anything that is not working for you, please do not be afraid to say something. We will never be offended. This massage is for you, not for us. What feels great for one person may feel horrbile to you, and we won't know unless you tell us. Same goes for pressure; never be afraid to ask for more or less.
  • I have high blood pressure.  Can I get a massage?
    If you have high blood pressure, we encourage you to take a reading at home before you come and only come in for your massage if you are within the safe range for receiving treatment. Things like positioning, painful techniques, or large limb movements all have the potential to elevate your blood pressure in the moment. If you arrive for treatment and your blood pressure is too high, we will send you home. The levels are as follows: Normal blood pressure is anything up to 130/90 Stage 1/mild hypertension is 140/90 - 159/99. At this level, usually no treatment modifications need to be made Stage 2/moderate hypertension is from 160/100 -179/109. At this point, there will have to be treatment and positioning modifications. It is safest in this case to be treated either on your side, or in a semi-reclined position. **Please do not book a massage if you insist on strictly being treated in a face up or face down position.** Stage 3/severe hypertension starts at 180/110 - 209/119. At this point, massage therapy would be completely contraindicated. If you take blood pressure reading at home that is above all these ranges, ie. nearing around 210/120, please seek immediate medical attention. The most important thing to remember about hypertension is that it often has no symptoms. So you may feel fine, even though you are not. So please, take your medications regularly, and if you have not been diagnosed with hypertension but think you may have it, we really do encourage you to speak with a doctor about getting it under control.
  • What is reflexology?
    Reflexology is non-invasive manipulation of points on the feet (and sometimes hands). It is based on the theory that reflex points within the feet correspond to all of the organs and systems of the body. If an organ or system is working in overdrive (think; stress hormones out of control!) a reflexology treatment can help to calm things down. Conversely, if a system is a bit lethargic (think; sluggish digestion), reflexology can help to kickstart things. Through working on the entire foot, the Reflexologist is in essence working on the entire body, helping to bring the body into a balanced state of homeostasis.
  • Is it covered by insurance?
    Yes! If reflexology is administered by an RMT, then your insurance considers it a massage.
  • Who can benefit from reflexology?
    Just about everyone! The primary goal of the reflexologist is to reduce stress levels within the body and to bring the body into a state of balance. In so-doing, any number of health conditions can be positively affected, including but not limited to: ✔︎ digestive issues ✔︎ headaches ✔︎ chronic pain ✔︎ insomnia ✔︎ inflammatory conditions ✔︎ sinusitis And whole host of other issues. It is important to let your therapist know which areas you’d like to see improvement in so they can provide the most focussed and effective treatments possible.
  • Who should NOT receive reflexology?
    There are certain situations where a reflexology treatment would be ill-advised, including but not limited to: ✔︎ during an unstable or high risk pregnancy, or any pregnancy during the first trimester, ✔︎ if the person wears a pace-maker or has a very unstable heart condition, ✔︎ if the person has deep vein thrombosis, ✔︎ if the person has an infectious disease or fever The above list is not exhaustive, so please be sure to give your therapist an accurate picture of your health history, so as to ensure a safe and effective treatment.
  • How long of a treatment should I book?
    The most ideal duration for a reflexology treatment is one hour. A reflexology treatment is effectively a treatment for the whole body. In order to achieve the goal of balance and homeostasis, it is important to work all of the reflex areas of the foot (and thereby all of the systems of the body). It is simply impossible to do this in less than an hour. If you'd like to book a 90 minute treatment, we can spend the extra half hour doing reflexology on your hands, or included a little swedish massage too. A head, neck & shoulder massage after an hour of reflexology feels divine.
  • What should I expect during a reflexology session?
    Reflexology treatments take place on a massage table. You will remain fully clothed (except for socks and shoes) and face up for the entire duration of the treatment. The therapist will provide pillows and blankets to ensure you are comfortable. The entire hour will be spent on the feet. Initially your therapist will cleanse your feet with a solution of witch hazel and rose water. For the bulk of the treatment, a powder such as corn starch or baby powder will be used on the feet to assist with glide. Finally, the treatment will end with a gentle foot massage with oil. Essential oils can be used if desired. Please let your therapist know if you have an aversion to any of the above products.
  • How can I expect to feel after a reflexology treatment?
    The most common reaction to a reflexology treatment is a great sense of relaxation. Occasionally, the symptoms that you’ve come in to have treated can get worse before they get better. This is not a bad thing, it means that the treatment has had an effect, and the release of congestion from the given area has been accelerated, meaning that you may feel unwell for a short time as the congestion is trying to leave your body. This can happen during or after the treatment. For example if working on the sinus reflex areas, you may notice your sinuses start to drain during the treatment. After a few treatments, you may start to notice improved sleeping patterns, relief from pain, more energy, a stronger immune system, and a greater ability to cope with stress.
  • Still haven't found what you're looking for?
    If you have any more questions, feel free to email Astra directly at astra@rosehillmassagetherapy.ca.
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