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Lifecare PhysiotherapyPatient EducationUncategorized
By Admin Uncategorized

Registered Massage Therapy- Frequently Asked Questions

Who is a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT)?
An RMT is a regulated healthcare professional who assesses and treats muscles and other soft tissues using hands-on techniques. Massage therapy can help manage muscle tension, relieve pain, and support movement and relaxation.

What can massage therapy help with?
Massage therapy may help with muscle tightness, back and neck discomfort, calming down nervous system, stress-related tension, and soreness from work or physical activity. Your RMT will assess your concerns and discuss whether treatment is appropriate.

What happens during my first appointment?
Your RMT will review your health history, discuss your symptoms and goals, and perform an assessment as needed. They will explain the proposed treatment and obtain your consent before beginning.

Do I need a doctor’s referral?
You can book an RMT appointment without a doctor’s referral. However, some insurance plans require a referral for reimbursement, so check your policy before your appointment.

Is massage therapy covered by insurance?
Many extended health insurance plans cover treatment provided by an RMT. Coverage amounts, annual limits, and referral requirements vary by plan.

Do you offer direct billing?
LifeCare offers direct billing to many insurance providers, subject to your plan’s eligibility and the insurer’s approval. Contact our team to confirm availability. Any amount not covered remains your responsibility.

Do I need to undress for treatment?
You undress only to your comfort level. Your RMT can discuss options for treatment through clothing. When clothing is removed, sheets or towels cover your body, and only the area being treated is uncovered with your consent.

Should massage therapy hurt?
Massage does not need to be painful to be helpful. Some techniques may cause temporary discomfort, but pressure should remain within your comfort level. You can ask your RMT to adjust the pressure, change techniques, or stop at any time.

Can I request lighter or deeper pressure?
Yes. Tell your RMT your preferences and let them know how the treatment feels. They will adjust the pressure according to your comfort and clinical needs.

Can I have a massage during pregnancy?
Massage may be appropriate during pregnancy, with positioning and techniques adjusted for comfort and safety. Tell your RMT that you are pregnant and discuss any complications or medical restrictions before treatment.

What should I tell my RMT before treatment?
Share relevant health conditions, medications, recent surgeries or injuries, and any skin concerns. Let your RMT know about blood-thinning medication, pregnancy, or changes in your health so they can assess suitability and adapt treatment.

How often should I book a massage?
Frequency depends on your symptoms, goals, and response to treatment. Your RMT will discuss a plan with you and reassess your progress.

Will I feel sore afterward?
Some people experience temporary tenderness after massage, especially following unfamiliar or more intensive techniques. Contact your RMT if discomfort is significant, persistent, or concerning.

By Admin Therapy, Uncategorized

Shockwave

Shockwave Therapy: What Does the Research Say?

Persistent heel or tendon pain can make walking, exercising, and everyday activities difficult. Shockwave therapy is one treatment option that may help selected patients, but its effectiveness depends on the condition being treated.

At LifeCare, we offer shockwave therapy as part of our rehabilitation services. An assessment helps determine whether it is suitable for your needs.

What is shockwave therapy?

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy, or ESWT, delivers mechanical energy through the skin using a handheld device. It does not involve electrical shocks, injections, or surgery.

Can shockwave therapy help plantar fasciitis?

Research supports shockwave therapy as an effective option for some people with persistent plantar heel pain, often called plantar fasciitis.

What should you expect during treatment?

A clinician applies the device over the selected treatment area. You may feel repeated tapping or mild discomfort. Treatment is usually provided as a course of appointments, with the plan adjusted according to your response.

Temporary soreness, redness, swelling, or bruising can occur. Your clinician should explain the potential benefits, risks, and alternatives before treatment.

Is shockwave therapy suitable for everyone?

A medical history and physical assessment are essential. Tell your clinician about pregnancy, bleeding disorders, blood-thinning medication, recent steroid injections, infection, or a suspected tendon tear. These factors may affect whether treatment is appropriate.

Making an informed treatment decision

Shockwave therapy may be worth considering for certain persistent conditions, especially plantar heel pain. However, improvement is not guaranteed. Ask your physiotherapist:

– What is causing my pain?
– How strong is the evidence for shockwave treatment for my condition?
– What other treatment options are available?
– How will we measure progress and decide whether to continue?

Interested in learning whether shockwave therapy is right for you? Book a physiotherapy assessment with LifeCare.

References

1. Lippi et al. (2024). [Efficacy and tolerability of extracorporeal shock wave therapy in patients with plantar fasciopathy: a systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regression](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39257331/).

2. Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (2026). [A patient’s guide to radial extracorporeal shockwave therapy](https://www.rnoh.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/patient-information-guides/radial-extracorporeal-shockwave-therapy-eswt).

By Admin Uncategorized

Pelvic Physiotherapy

Pelvic Physiotherapy is provided by a Physiotherapist who is trained to perform an evaluation of the pelvic floor, establish and perform a treatment plan, progress the treatment plan to help with various pelvic floor issues including but not limited to Incontinence, prolapse, bowel problems, hip and groin pain, chronic lower back pain etc.

Pelvic Physiotherapist works with the patients of all ages to maintain pelvic floor muscle strength and tone by educating patients to exercise correctly, educates on bladder irritants that can cause bladder issues, postural and lower abdominal re-education. Physiotherapist can also use biofeedback and electrical muscle stimulation for the pelvic floor muscles if needed.

You can benefit from Pelvic Physiotherapy if:

You urinated more than 8 times per day

You have difficulty initiating your urine stream and/or experience burning with urination.

You experience very strong and/or uncontrollable urges to go to the bathroom.

You experience faecal or urine leakage (on the way to the bathroom, coughing/laughing/sneezing, exercising etc).

You have pain during or after a bowel movement.

You struggle with having regular bowel movements.

You ever experience painful intercourse.

You experience pelvic pain and/or pelvic pressure, i.e. vaginal, rectal, bladder, tailbone or pelvic girdle.

 

 

By Admin Uncategorized

Tele-Rehab

Tele-Rehab or Virtual care is the delivery of professional physiotherapy services at a distance via Internet, Computer or tablet/phone. It includes all aspects of patient care including patient’s physical assessment, diagnosis, treatment, consultation, education.

Physiotherapist adheres to all existing practice requirements, including the scope of practice of the profession, the standards of professional practice, the code of ethics, as well as any provincial and federal laws that guide practice.

During a virtual session at Lifecare Physiotherapy, You connect with your physiotherapist via video call.

You will get an Email appointment reminder 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment time.

Click the button at the bottom of the email to begin and on the next page, you will see a quick reminder to use the right browser and a fast internet connection for the video call. We will need your consent before your video call begins. To provide it, click the “I Consent” button and your session will begin.

Note- For your security and privacy, Online Appointments at Lifecare Physiotherapy are not recorded or stored and all electronic audio and video communication is encrypted in transit. Your Physiotherapist does maintain a record of your session in the form of notes/charts.