General FAQ

How often should I get a massage?

Am I expected to tip my RMT?

Though some consider massage therapy to be a ‘service based’ form of health care, we do not expect tips. We appreciate our clients wishing to leave a tip, but if you really want to show your appreciation for your RMT, consider leaving a review online or referring friends and family — a few kinds words can go a long way, and that is truly the greatest compliment we can receive as massage therapists.

If you have seen me in the past please consider leaving a Google review.

What is your cancellation policy?

Like other health care providers such as doctors, dentists and physiotherapists, we charge a fee for missed appointments or insufficient notice of cancellation.

Wolseley Wellness cancellation policy:

Missed appointments and appointments that are cancelled within 1 business day of the scheduled appointment time will be charged to you at 100% of the scheduled appointment cost.

Appointments that are cancelled within 2 business days of the scheduled appointment time will be charged to you at 50% of the scheduled appointment cost.

These charges are not eligible for reimbursement through private insurance.

Why do I have to pay a fee for cancelling my appointment?

This policy is in place for two reasons:

1. My time is valuable, why else would you book an appointment to see me? Appointments are booked on a first come, first served basis but, when cancelled with insufficient notice they can be difficult to fill. The fee is in place as a reminder to clients that cancellations should be made with sufficient notice wherever possible.

2. I am self-employed and am only paid based on the clients that I physically see. I am not compensated by the clinic for cancelled appointments. As a small business owner, I do not have the means to absorb the loss that results from clients cancelling with little or no notice, therefore the fee is in place to protect my income stability.

It is understandable that accidents happen and emergencies arise. In such cases I urge you to get in contact as soon as possible; it is always appreciated when clients communicate openly.

Can I bring my child for a massage?

Of course! Massage is beneficial for children and adults of all ages. Treatments are adjusted to suit each individual depending on several factors. Because children are smaller than adults, less time is required to complete a massage treatment. In addition, some techniques or areas may be excluded from the treatment due to the fact that children require less pressure, or may not be comfortable with a certain area being treated.

Parents are required to fill out and sign health and insurance forms, be involved in the consultation and be present during the treatment for all children under the age of 18. Consultations in this case are more in-depth, and consent is required from both the parent and the child to ensure that everyone is comfortable with the treatment. Verbal consent is maintained throughout the treatment to ensure that the child feels comfortable. In some cases due to privacy, older children may request that parents do not stay in the treatment room for the duration of the appointment, in which case the parents may sit in the waiting room of the clinic once the consultation is complete.

For children under one year of age it is recommended that you attend an infant massage class, which will allow you to provide massage to your little one at home and can be much more beneficial for both you and your baby.

What kind of oil do you use?

During my massage treatments I use coconut oil for two primary reasons: it has little to no scent and is gentle on sensitive skin. Coconut oil also absorbs quickly and does not leave the skin feeling oily afterward.

If a client has an allergy to coconut oil I use an alternative such as grapeseed oil. If you have any allergies or sensitivities, please be sure to mention this before your appointment and include it on your health history form.

During infant massage classes I will provide oil to parents, however you are welcome to use the type of oil that you feel is best for your baby based on cultural preference or family tradition, cost and availability. The International Association of Infant Massage recommends the following guidelines when choosing what type of oil to use:

Generally we recommend cold pressed, unscented fruit and vegetable oils such as safflower, sunflower or fractionated coconut oil because:

They are non-toxic and safe if ingested
They can contain beneficial nutrients, such as vitamin E, which are good for the skin
They contain nutrients that help prevent rancidity
These oils are less slippery when applied, so it’s safer to handle your baby after application
They have no added scent, so infants can still enjoy their parents’ natural smell, and are not overwhelmed

Use an oil to massage your baby that you would eat on a salad – one that is fresh, natural, pure and unscented. Perhaps you already have an appropriate oil in your kitchen.

Is massage therapy going to/supposed to hurt?

This is not necessarily a difficult question to answer, but requires a bit of explanation.

Simply put: no, massage therapy is not supposed to hurt. Just because a massage is not causing discomfort does not mean that it is ineffective.

Massage has so many wonderful benefits that do not go hand-in-hand with discomfort; on the contrary, a relaxation massage can be just as beneficial as a therapeutic treatment.

However, some therapeutic techniques during a massage, generally aimed at treating a musculoskeletal dysfunction, do have the potential to cause discomfort.

While it is normal to feel discomfort to varying degrees during a treatment, it is important to remember that there is such thing as too much pain. Excess pressure can cause further damage which the therapist aims to avoid as it defeats the purpose of the treatment. As massage therapists, the only thing more important to us than helping our clients is causing no harm to our clients.

A balance must be maintained to provide enough pressure that the treatment has a proper effect, but not so much that it exacerbates the issue or causes more damage. Communication is key between the therapist and the client. It is the therapist’s responsibility to inform the client of the differences between therapeutic discomfort and pain, but it is also up to the client to assess the amount of discomfort and inform the therapist when it becomes too much.

In many cases it is necessary for the therapist to start with mild pressure, only gradually increasing to the client’s level of comfort over time. Most conditions take multiple appointments to treat, so it only makes sense that the amount of pressure used reflects the client’s tolerance, as well as the progress and demand of the condition.

Some therapists might suggest that bruising after a deep massage treatment is normal – I DO NOT AGREE WITH THIS. Bruising is the result of ruptured blood vessels under the surface of the skin. Because massage treatments are not intended to cause further damage, the presence of bruising indicates that too much pressure has been used during the treatment. With education and experience, a good therapist is able to provide an effective treatment using appropriate pressure without causing harm.

Ultimately, you know your body better than anyone else. Your RMT will offer their professional opinion and provide as much information as possible relevant to your condition, but it is up to you to judge whether that particular treatment is appropriate for you in that moment. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instinct and don’t be afraid to speak up.

Infant Massage FAQ

What is the ideal age for the infant massage class?

The infant massage class is reserved for infants between 2 and 52 weeks of age, or “pre-mobile” infants. Once babies are able to crawl, getting them to sit still for class can be difficult for parents. This is not to say that you cannot massage your baby after one year of age; in the class you will learn how to adapt the routine for toddlers, children and teens so you may continue to massage your child as (s)he grows, and once they are accustomed to receiving massage from you, they are more inclined to be still during that time.

Is there an additional fee if my spouse wants to attend the class with me?

Nope! The fee for the class covers one or both parents, so there’s no need to pay extra if your spouse wants to be involved as well!

During an infant massage class, will you be massaging my baby?

The purpose of an infant massage class is to teach you how to massage your own little one. Because infant massage promotes bonding and attachment, it is recommended that you as a parent or caregiver provide massage to your infant before anyone else. In addition, you benefit from the hormonal and non-verbal communicative effects of massaging your little one which I encourage you to take advantage of. Techniques will be described while demonstrated on a doll for auditory and visual learners, and I will assist by answering questions and correcting positioning if necessary.

If you are seeking massage therapy for your infant for a specific condition, injury or birth trauma, I am happy to help by applying specific therapeutic techniques and demonstrating them for home application where safe and necessary, as well as recommending different stretches or exercises.

Can my baby’s older sibling/grandparent give massage?

Of course! Allowing a close family member to massage your baby is a great way for them to get more involved, especially for older siblings. It is recommended that you establish a massage routine with your baby before allowing other family members to provide massage in order to better understand your baby’s cues and form your initial bond. Due to its bonding effects, massage should only be provided one-on-one to avoid overstimulating or confusing baby.

What if my baby is fussy/inconsolable during class?

Please be assured that my class will always be a welcoming and judgement free zone. In a room full of babies, some crying is bound to happen.
During your time in my class I encourage you to find comfort and security in being who you are and allowing the same for your baby. You are welcome to feed, change, comfort, rock, walk or tend to your baby while I teach, as much can still be learned simply by listening. You will not be asked to leave the class.
At times the energy of the class may be high, in which case we will take a break for everyone to settle and reorganize before continuing.
It is natural to feel stressed when your baby cries. Please know that everyone else in the room is a parent and understands how you are feeling.

Can I come to class if I am/my baby is sick?

Due to the nature of my class, I must that you do not attend during a time that you or your baby are ill; this is for the safety and consideration of the other parents and babies in attendance. The immune system of an infant is still developing which means that they are more susceptible to illness. In addition, illnesses that seem trivial to adults can be more dangerous for infants.
Techniques learned in each class are reviewed the following week, so if you miss a class please know that we will go over everything again, and I will gladly help you to catch up.