Massage Therapy
Every person seeks out massage therapy for a different reason, and that’s because it helps achieve so many different health goals.
Massage therapy is a natural healing practice that helps to relieve tension and pain, promote wellness, and restore balance to the body. It can also provide hundreds of other benefits, from relaxation and mental health to improved mobility, circulation, immunity, and healing.
Massage therapy has been used as a traditional healing practice for centuries. In the modern world, massage is an essential part of a long-term health and wellness plan.
At Urban Massage & Wellness, our Registered Massage Therapists have studied the various modalities to bring you the best treatments and therapy options available in St. Albert. Whatever your health goals are, we have a team of highly experienced massage therapists ready to help you reach them.
Please consult your doctor to make sure that massage is right for you.
Massage Therapy Benefits
There are tremendous benefits to be achieved through regular massage therapy treatments from a Registered Massage Therapist. Whether your need is to have a moment of relaxation, reduce muscle tension or attain relief from chronic pain, a therapeutic massage can enhance your overall sense of mental and physical well-being.
Massage therapy can be used for the treatment of both acute and chronic conditions. RMTs can work with a wide spectrum of clients in the treatment of illness, injury rehabilitation and disability.
Massage Therapists today use their knowledge of physiology and anatomy to combine traditional and modern massage therapy techniques with other therapies to treat their clients.
Massage Therapy can also be used as part of a preventative care program. This includes sports training, injury prevention, ongoing stress management, and more! Together, you and your therapist will develop a treatment plan based on your needs. The treatment plan can be changed at any time and you have no obligation to undergo any part of treatment. Your treatment begins after you’ve given your informed consent.
Mental Benefits Of Massage Therapy
- Promotes a relaxed state of mental alertness
- Fosters peace of mind
- Helps relieve mental stress
- Improves the ability to monitor stress signals and respond appropriately
- Enhances capacity for calm thinking and creativity
- Fosters a feeling of emotional well-being
- Reduces levels of anxiety
- Creates body awareness
- Increases awareness of mind-body connection
Physical Benefits Of Massage Therapy
- Reduce or eliminate pain
- Balance the nervous system
- Relieve stress and reduce anxiety
- Decrease muscular tension
- Promote faster healing of strained muscles & sprained ligaments
- Improve joint mobility and range of motion
- Enhance athletic performance
- Speed healing after surgery or injuries
- Reduce pain and swelling
- Lessen the formation of excessive scar tissue
- Promote deeper and easier breathing
- Improve circulation of blood and movement of lymph fluids
- Strengthen the immune system
- Enhance the health and nourishment of skin
- Improve posture
Massage Therapy FAQs
Why do people receive massage therapy?
Massage therapy has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. It’s extremely popular in modern Western medicine as a way to relieve different types of pain, as well as conditions, symptoms, and mental and physical discomfort. Most people seek out massage for these therapeutic benefits.
A few examples of reasons you might go to your local massage therapist or massage therapy clinic are to relieve upper or lower back pain, release muscle tension or “knots,” improve mobility in the joints, or to relieve symptoms of digestive issues, chronic pain conditions, or mental health issues. These are just a few reasons; there are many more health-related reasons you might want to seek out massage therapy.
Your specific goals for massage therapy are important and will be discussed privately with your therapist. If you aren’t sure which type of massage to book, keep reading through this FAQ to have your questions about the different types of massages answered.
Who can have massage therapy?
Virtually anyone can book a massage at our St. Albert massage clinic. We have a range of therapists who have training in treating people of all ages and with a range of conditions. Some of our specialists are trained in pediatric massage for children and babies and pregnancy massage for expecting mothers.
There are a few specific situations where you should consult your medical care provider (such as a family doctor, GP, or specialist) before booking a massage. Some of these cases include after a motor vehicle accident, if you have a new or recurring injury, or if you’ve recently had surgery. If you’re not sure whether you should book, get in touch with our massage experts.
What can I expect from my first massage therapy appointment?
Your first appointment will be a great introduction to our clinic, staff, and the therapeutic benefits of massage. After you’ve booked an appointment and you arrive at our massage clinic in St. Albert, we’ll ask you to fill out some paperwork so we can get to know you better. Then, you’ll be greeted by your therapist and brought into one of our relaxing treatment rooms.
Your therapist will go over your medical history and any current issues, conditions, or pain you’d like to work on. He or she will describe the treatment process and ensure you understand and consent to the treatment.
Then, you’ll get instructions for what to do next to prepare for the treatment, including the level of undress that will be optimal for the treatment (see below for questions about undressing to your comfort level). Your therapist will leave the room to allow you time to prepare and will knock before entering.
After this, your treatment will begin. At any time, you can request changes to the treatment type, pressure, or anything else that causes you any discomfort. See below to learn about potential discomfort and pain during treatment.
Does massage therapy hurt?
Massage therapy is a technique that typically uses pressure and manipulation of specific parts of the body to relieve internal pressure or discomfort. Although it’s not usually painful, it can cause some discomfort as we treat the underlying issues. The pain isn’t dangerous to your health and typically fades quickly.
Your therapist will start the treatment by establishing a comfort scale and learning your tolerance level. If the therapist believes more intense pressure is needed for the treatment to be effective, he or she will let you know and obtain your permission before beginning.
If you are feeling pain at any time, or you would like to stop the treatment or change the pressure or techniques, you can let your therapist know. Your health and comfort are our ultimate concern at all times.
Do I have to remove all of my clothes?
You don’t have to remove any clothing beyond what you are comfortable with. Your comfort is a top priority for all Registered Massage Therapists.
Your therapist will describe the treatment and suggest which items of clothing you can remove to make specific areas more accessible. However, whether you remove some or any of your clothing is entirely up to you. Your therapist will be able to provide important treatment regardless of whether you elect to remove any, some, or all of your clothing.
Our RMTs are also trained in “draping,” which is the use of sheets, towels, and other materials to cover specific parts of your body to respect your privacy at all times during treatment.
Your comfort and ability to relax is paramount to effective treatment. If you are uncomfortable, your RMT wants you to let them know immediately, whether that discomfort involves the treatment, draping, or any pain you may experience.
What type of massage treatment do I need?
There are so many types (also known as modalities) of massage therapy, it can sometimes be hard to know which will be most effective for you. We usually recommend you book a massage that aligns with your ultimate wellness goals. Sometimes those are short-term goals (such as relieving pain in a specific body part) and other times they’re long-term (such as improved circulation or mobility).
Our St. Albert massage therapists are trained in many different types of massage, including deep tissue massage, therapeutic massage, manual osteopathy, relaxation massage, and pregnancy massage. Take a look through our massage services to find the service that fits your wellness goals. Or, get in touch with us directly to ask which type of therapy to book.
You can also try a different treatment type at any time. We work together as a team around your wellness plan, so you can book with multiple therapists at our location depending on your changing needs.
Will my treatment be covered by my health insurance plan?
Most health insurance plans or benefit plans will cover massage therapy services. Every insurance provider offers different levels of coverage and limits may apply, so we always recommend you get in touch with your provider before booking your appointment. Some insurance providers also require a referral from a physician for coverage to apply.
At Urban Massage & Wellness, we want to make your experience as convenient as possible. Most of our massage therapists are able to direct bill insurance providers for massage services, but some will issue you a receipt that you can claim through your provider. If you have questions about direct billing, please reach out to us before booking your treatment.
How often should I have massage therapy?
Some people believe that one treatment is enough; however, massage therapy is most beneficial in acute conditions when used over a series of treatments and then followed up with maintenance or preventive treatments.
Your massage therapist can help you establish a program that fits your physical needs, lifestyle, and budget. As qualified health professionals, we’re most interested in your recovery and in the maintenance of your health. Any recommendation for further treatment is made with your best interests in mind.
Do you have Registered Massage Therapists at your St. Albert massage clinic?
Yes, most of us at Urban Massage are Registered Massage Therapists. However, we also believe in giving new therapists the chance to gain valuable experience and mentorship, so some of our student massage therapists are working toward becoming a qualified RMT. If you have questions about any therapist’s credentials, head to our team page or call us to ask directly!
Do you offer couples massage?
We do not offer couples massage in the same room, but can schedule 2 massages for the same time.
Where is your clinic located?
Our massage clinic is conveniently located in St. Albert in Inglewood Towne Centre. Our building is directly between the Safeway and Starbucks, and you’re sure to see our sign when you arrive in the parking lot. We don’t share a door with other businesses and there’s plenty of free parking directly in front of the building.
How much does massage therapy cost?
The costs for massage therapy depend on the length and type of the treatment, as well as the experience level of your therapist. You can view the prices for massage therapy at our clinic on our pricing page.
Why should I choose Urban Massage & Wellness for my massage?
Our team is invested in your health and wellbeing. We think about our clients all the time, which is why we’ve created a massage therapy experience that’s as comfortable, effective, and enjoyable as possible. From our location and luxurious treatment rooms to the qualifications and “can-do” attitudes of our therapists, we’re confident in our ability to truly make a positive difference in your life and health.
Making an investment in your health is extremely important to your quality of life and overall well being, so whether you choose Urban Massage & Wellness or another massage clinic in St. Albert, we encourage you to gain all the therapeutic benefits of massage therapy!
