FAQs

  • Massage therapy can benefit people of all ages. It benefits the injured, stressed and ill. Massage therapy can be used in the treatment of both acute and chronic stages of conditions.

    Here is a following list of conditions which massage therapy can provide benefit:

    • Reducing or eliminating pain in the body

    • Improving joint mobility

    • Improving circulation and lymphatic drainage

    • Improving immune system functioning

    • Reducing depression & anxiety

    • Reducing tension within muscles

    • Increasing body awareness

    • Anxiety & depression

    • Asthma

    • Cancer

    • Carpal tunnel syndrome

    • Other repetitive strain injuries

    • Chronic Fatigue syndrome

    • Fibromyalgia/Myofascial Pain Syndrome

    • Edema

    • Gastrointestinal disorders

    • Headaches

    • Sciatica

    • MS

    • Scoliosis

    • + more!

  • Registered Massage Therapists or RMT are Regulated Health Professionals in Ontario.

    A Registered Massage Therapist is an licensed professional who has:

    • Completed a Massage-based educational institution recognized by the Government of Ontario

    • Studied anatomy, physiology, pathology, physical assessment, neurology, treatments, and other related health subjects

    • Completed a minimum of 150+ clinical hours on the job

    • Successfully completed examinations and are Registered by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario in accordance with the Regulated Health Professions Act and the Massage Therapy Act

    • Maintained their registration by participating in continuing education and Quality Assurance programs that assists in the maintenance of high professional standards and quality care of their massage clients

    Only members of the College are permitted to use the title, Massage Therapist or Registered Massage Therapist or the designation of RMT or MT. All members of the Ontario Massage Therapist Association must be registered with the College and are therefore Registered Massage Therapy practitioners.

  • A unique system of manual therapy, which has proven to be highly successful in the treatment of common neuro-myofascial imbalances, disorders and dysfunctions. This method is recognized for restoring and maintaining healthy neurological, musculoskeletal and fascial systems. It includes assisted stretching which focuses on the muscles, joints, and connective tissue.

    This is an excellent treatment choice to improve flexibility & mobility, coordination of body segments, training recovery, injury prevention, and improve athletic performance. It is also excellent for nervous system health and therefore beneficial to psychological and emotional well-being. My clients benefit from this technique as it restores, improves and maintains mobility as well as contributes to pain reduction and holistic wellness as a whole.

    Please see “Services” tab for more details.

  • I am a certified and insured FST practitioner through the Stretch to Win Institute. This designation is only available through STW and offered in Toronto or Arizona, US. Each level course is a 5 day (35hrs) intensive that I took in Toronto, Ontario. Before the course, a lot of reading and test work is required before the in person practical course. I am currently a level 2. Fascial Stretch Therapy is part of my scope of practice as a Registered Massage Therapist in Ontario.

    www.stretchtowin.com

  • Massage Therapy has you on the table in between the sheets with limited to no clothing, with hands on soft tissue work with or without oil. Only areas that are being treated will be exposed through professional and secure draping techniques.

    Fascial Stretch Therapy on the other hand is performed while you are wearing sportswear or other comfortable clothing on a bare table that has straps on it to secure your limbs as needed. It consists of me stretching areas of your body while you are completely relaxed, sometimes with cued contractions of your targeted muscles/fascia. There is a lot of focus on breathing with the stretch, tractioning of the joints and it is completely pain-free.

  • My clients love to book the sweet spot of 75 or 90 minutes for a combination session. I usually start with massage that has you starting in between sheets with minimal to no clothing, only draping areas that are to be treated. For a portion of the treatment you are receiving a massage and once that treatment is done, I let you know it’s time for the stretching component. I then leave the room for you to put your clothes back on. I come back in once you are ready, remove the sheets and have you in your sportswear on the table to stretch you for the remainder of the session. The areas I massage and stretch are based on our conversations during the intake and assessment before the treatment.

  • On your first visit at Embodiwork, your confidential health history form will be reviewed in private. I do this to develop a safe and effective treatment plan for you. The initial process may involve assessment.

    I will also describe the treatments that will be provided to ensure that you’re comfortable. Your consent is sought before treatment is provided. If you are uncomfortable at any point, please let me know immediately, whether that discomfort involves the treatment, draping or any pain you may experience. We can stop and adjust the treatment or you can withdraw your consent at any time and stop the treatment entirely.

    Your privacy will be respected at all times. I will leave the room so that you may disrobe and cover yourself on the table. You may remove as little of your clothing as you are comfortable with. During the treatment, you will be draped so that only the part of your body being treated is uncovered.

    At the end of the treatment, there will be a debrief discussing how everything went, with opportunity for your feedback and continual treatment planning. I may also suggest therapeutic exercises or self-care outside of the treatment space in between our sessions.

    Communication is a key element of an effective massage and ensures that your treatment goals are being met. You will have the opportunity to give feedback throughout the treatment to have the pressure adjusted to meet your needs.

    For your first visit, please choose the booking option of 75 minutes, at minimum. This will provide adequate time to complete a thorough assessment of your health status and suggest an effective treatment of Massage and/or Fascial Stretch Therapy.

  • I will provide an effective treatment whether you want to remove any, or all of your clothing for Massage Therapy. I am trained in proper draping procedures to ensure that your privacy is respected at all times during treatment. You can always choose to do a Fascial Stretch Therapy appointment that requires sportswear to be worn.

    Your comfort and relaxation is essential to a beneficial treatment.

    If you have any questions with regards to your first visit or privacy please contact me.

  • I use:

    • Apricot kernal oil by New Directions Aromatics

    • Body oils by Kallis Oils

    • Body butters by JBL Skincare

  • This greatly varies from person to person and their individual needs. Massage/Fascial Stretch therapy is most beneficial in acute conditions when used regularly over a series of treatments and then followed up with maintenance or preventive treatments. For example, to start, once a week for the first 6 weeks and then a massage 1-2 per month for maintenance would have excellent health benefits and help reduce the effects of stress and dysfunction.

    I will help you establish a treatment plan which fits your physical needs and lifestyle. The priority is your recovery and supporting the maintenance of your health.

    My recommendation for further treatment is made with your utmost care in mind.

  • Please note that my space is not fully wheelchair accessible. Although everything is on one floor, the layout of my workspace may not accommodate standard wheelchair dimensions. If you have specific accessibility needs, feel free to reach out, and I’ll do my best to support you.

  • There is street parking available at both clinics. Please refer to your appointment confirmation email to read the address and parking details for more information.

  • Please consult individual clinic for payment and direct billing info.

  • Tips are welcome but not necessary. There is absolutely no judgement or pressure should you choose not to.

  • Registered Massage Therapy Services are recognized under the provincial health legislation in Ontario, and my massage services are covered by most extended health plans from your workplace.

    Fascial Stretch Therapy and Lymphatic Drainage Massage is also covered under my RMT license, as long as there is Massage still involved.

    Please check with your employer’s Human Resources if these extended health care benefits are available to you.

    *I do not do direct billing. I require full payment upon completion of the session. Once payment is received, I will send you a receipt with all the necessary info. You will be responsible for submitting the receipt I email you to your extended health care insurance plan.

  • Please click on the booking links provided on my main page or in the “book now” tab.

  • I often use aromatherapy with pure essential oils and a heated table pad during treatments. When booking, please leave a note if you have allergies, are scent or temperature sensitive. I am happy to accommodate.

Pediatric Massage FAQs

  • From newborns and up! Whenever you are ready.

    • Stimulation of all the physiological systems of the body ie. circulatory, nervous, and gastrointestinal 

    • Relieves stress through increased relaxation - both for the infant and for the parent 

    • Helps increase healthy parent/guardian-infant interaction - increases bonding 

    • A means of communication between the caregiver & the baby: Increases awareness of infant cues, helps the parent learn how to respond to the baby’s needs, helps synchronize the interchange between the two, helps the baby feel increased trust & security when the contact is reassuring & pleasurable 

    • Provides a time of quiet focus 

    • Provides sensory stimulation which is necessary for growth & development 

    • Helps facilitate motor co-ordination

    • Helps relieve colic & gas 

    • Helps regulate sleep pattern 

    • Helps strengthen the immune system 

  • ​Both parents are more than welcome to come to the appointment.

  • Usually, a time when your baby is in a quiet yet alert stage, such as an hour after feeding or when they've had some sleep. This can vary on the infant.

  • When they have a fever or infection. If your baby has any medical issues check first with your doctor and an RMT prior to booking.

  • The session is a combination of the RMT being hands-on the child and educating the parent/guardian on how to massage their own child.

    As part of the session, you will be instructed about the importance of relaxation before starting the massage, asking permission of the infant, and the application of actual massage therapy techniques. Your RMT will discuss items such as positioning your baby, the appropriate amount of pressure to use, direction and speed of strokes, and the application of massage therapy for issues such as gas, irritability, muscle tension, etc. 

    The RMT will demonstrate all techniques on a doll while you work directly on your infant. If needed, the therapist will demonstrate on your infant directly if this will enhance your learning during the session. Please feel free to ask your RMT any questions that will expand your knowledge in this area. 

    In discussion with you, the RMT will collaborate on an agreed treatment plan, and be in constant communication with your child/client regarding suitability of depth of pressure, the effect of the treatment, and whether any changes/adaptations are needed to increase the comfort of the child. At any time, the child/client or parents can ask questions or alter or stop the treatment if they wish to do so.

  • Infants can be dressed or undressed (with a diaper). Children remain dressed.

  • Initial appointments are always 45 min. Follow-up appointments may be 30 min.

  • As needed. It depends on the goals of the parents and the persistence of issue. During the session, parents/guardians will be shown how to massage their child so they can do it at home and provide longer lasting health benefits.

  • I use any unscented oil that is safe and edible such as olive oil or tallow. Let me know if you have a preferred oil you’d like to bring at from home.

  • Just incase of any accidents, you may bring an extra change of clothes/diapers for your child and yourself.

    You may also bring a couple of their favourite toys for comfort, which I may also use for assessment.

  • Registered Massage Therapy Services are recognized under the provincial health legislation in Ontario, and my massage services may cover the children of those who have extended health plans from your workplace. Please check with your workplace to confirm.

    Pediatric Massage sessions are covered as long as there is Massage still involved.

    *I do not do direct billing. I require full payment after the session and you will need to submit the receipt I send you from our appointment to your extended health care insurance plan.

Policies

A credit card is required to book and hold your spot. It will never be charged without your knowledge but please refer to the cancellation and no show policies below.

Cancellation/No Show Policy:

As a sole practitioner, 100% of my income comes from my valued clients. Your appointment time is reserved just for you. When you cancel with short notice, my livelihood is compromised. A late cancellation or missed visit leaves a hole in the my day that could have been filled by another client that would benefit from my care. As such, I require 48 hours notice for any cancellations or changes to your appointment.

Clients who provide less than 48 hours notice, but before 24 hours, will be charged 50% of their booked appointment fee to the card on file. Clients who provide less than 24 hours notice will be charged 100% of their booked appointment fee to the card on file. The fee may only be waived if you fill the spot by sending someone in your place. Future appointments cannot be made until the invoice is paid. Insurance providers do not cover missed appointment fees. 

An email reminder is sent out 1 week and then 3 days before your appointment so that you have ample time to reschedule before the 48-hour window begins. A text reminder before your appointment is also sent. Please check your ClinicSense account notification settings to ensure that you have these reminders enabled. These reminders are sent as a courtesy but it is up to you to remember your appointment. You can easily cancel or reschedule your session using the links in your confirmation and reminder emails.

Please note that consecutive occurrences of booking, rescheduling and canceling without an explanation may result in termination of the therapeutic relationship.

Late Policy:

Please be punctual so we have as much hands on time as possible. 

I am unable to extend your appointment if you are running late and cannot change the fee. Please arrive on time so you receive the most out of your session. If you are more than 30 minutes late to your session, the appointment will be cancelled and charged as a "no show" (full session cost).

Thank you for respecting my time.

Payment Policy:

Please contact individual clinics to review their payment policies.

Privacy Policy:

As a registered health professional I am legally required to obtain a thorough health history form prior to treatment. This information must be updated annually or if there are any changes in your health history. All information is kept private and confidential in an encrypted system and will only be released if required by law. Your written and signed permission is required to release such any of your health history information.

Appointment Times:

Please arrive 5 minutes before your session starts. I will not be able to accept you in any earlier as I may be with another client.

Your appointment starts as soon as we enter the treatment space. The time you have booked is the length of your entire appointment, not the hands-on massage time. Your appointment time includes an intake, discussion of treatment, orthopedic assessment when necessary, therapeutic exercise recommendations, and debrief. This is to ensure you receive the best care and so you know exactly what to expect on the treatment table. Your understanding and consent is sought before treatment is provided. I do this to develop a safe and effective treatment plan for you.

I do my best to maximize hands-on time, but please be aware that this is rarely the full length of the appointment time. You should expect 15-20 minutes for your intake at the beginning of your first session with me, so I recommend booking a minimum of 75 minutes.

Refusal of Service:

  • Signs of intoxication (including alcohol and other substances)

  • Safety concerns, inappropriate comments or sexual advances

  • Illness or infectious conditions

  • Contagious or unidentified skin conditions (ex. rashes, warts, mysterious bug bites)

  • Outstanding balances

  • Client is not abiding by any of the above policies

If you develop a skin condition, please clear it with your doctor before receiving massage.

Please do not come to your appointment if you are sick with cold symptoms or other infectious conditions. Even if you tested negative for Covid-19, you may still be contagious with a different infectious condition. Symptoms may include a runny noise, sore throat, coughing, a fever, or severe nausea. If this is the case, it is best to reschedule for another time. Your body is already working hard to heal and a massage may make you feel worse in some ways. If you have been exposed to an illness, please wear a clean mask to your session. If you’re unsure, please email me to discuss the best plan for you.

If you exhibit any of the aforementioned conditions or behaviours, you’ll be denied treatment and charged for the appointment.

Thank you for keeping my practice safe.