What to Expect during Your Massage Appointment

When you come to Hands-On Healing, you can expect to be met with a smile and prompt service.

We understand that your time is valuable and we respect that you have a schedule to keep - so do we!

The calming environment at Hands-On Healing puts patients at ease before and during each session.

You should always feel empowered to ask health-related questions and to seek advice from Pat.

Contact Hands-On Healing to book your appointment today.

What should I expect during my first Massage Therapy visit?

We ask that you arrive 10-minutes prior to your appointment time for your first visit to Hands-On Healing.

This gives you time to complete our intake form and also gives us a couple of extra minutes to discuss any concerns or fears you may have.

Your first visit will be a 60 or 75 minute appointment, which gives Pat additional time to ask you questions and assess your needs. You are welcome to ask questions and we encourage you to be as open and honest as possible with regards to your stress levels, physical traumas, and limitations. You are in control of your treatment.

After your assessment, Pat will exit the room, allowing you to remove your external clothing according to your comfort level. You can then relax on the massage table, beneath the fresh linens. If you have any questions about this process, please ask! This is often the most awkward part of the appointment for first-timers. I also provide a heated table for your comfort, if wanted.

When you are ready, Pat will rejoin you in her soothing treatment room and will begin by explaining which areas she would like to focus on and why before she begins treatment. During this first treatment, touch and pressure will likely be lighter so that you can become more accustomed to the practices of an RMT. While it is normal to experience some soreness and mild to moderate pain during your treatment, you should not be at the point of wincing. If you are in pain or uncomfortable, please let Pat know as she always wants to ensure that her patients are comfortable and getting the most from their visits.

At Hands-On Healing, we understand that massage can be a daunting experience for patients. With that in mind, please let us know if you have any questions or concerns. Some people prefer a lighter touch while others like Pat to “dig deep”. Some enjoy some light chat while others prefer to use their appointment as an opportunity to zone out from the real world for a bit. Just let us know what you expect from your experience with us!

What should I wear for my massage appointment?

Technically, you can come to your massage appointment wearing your regular clothing. With that said, your appointment time is limited so we recommend that you wear clothing that is easy to get on and off, with minimal jewelry, if possible. This allows you to save time and extend your treatment time during your appointment. You can also wear a sports bra and shorts if this makes you more comfortable.

After Pat has greeted you and gone through your assessment, she will leave the treatment room so that you can have some privacy while you get undressed. You should remove your external clothing (see above). Once you’ve undressed, please lay face down on the massage table and pull the top sheet over your body. Pat will then knock on the door to ensure that you are covered before re-entering.

Pat will carefully drape areas that are not being treated so that you are comfortable, removing the sheet from an area as needed. If you are asked to flip over, the top sheet will be lifted from your body, creating a sort of screen, as you roll onto your back before the sheet is placed back over your body. Your comfort is of the utmost importance and you are encouraged to let us know if you have any questions or concerns.