BALANCED HEALTH 
Wellness Center

General Questions

1. What is the difference between all these therapy types? How do I know which one is right for me?
This is our most common question! While all our therapies aim to improve your well-being, they each have a different focus and approach.

• Registered Massage Therapy (RMT): Focuses on muscles and soft tissues to relieve pain, reduce stress, and improve mobility.

• Clinical Hypnotherapy: Uses guided relaxation and focused attention to help manage pain, anxiety, habits, and stress-related conditions on a subconscious level.

• Athletic Therapy: Specializes in the assessment, prevention, and active rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries, especially for athletes and active individuals.

• Bowen Therapy: A gentle, soft-tissue technique involving subtle moves over muscles and connective tissue. It prompts the body to reset and heal itself, often effective for chronic pain.

• Manual Osteopathic Treatment: A whole-body approach that uses gentle manual techniques to balance all the body's systems (musculoskeletal, circulatory, nervous) to support its natural healing function.

• Cranial-Fascial Therapy: A very light-touch therapy that releases tensions throughout the body, including the head, face, spine, and sacrum, to relieve pain and improve function.

• Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) & Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT): Gentle, rhythmic techniques designed to stimulate the lymphatic system to reduce swelling (lymphedema) and support detoxification.

• Oncology & Post-Surgical Massage: Specially adapted massage techniques to safely address the unique needs of individuals during and after cancer treatment or surgery.

We recommend booking a complimentary 15-minute consultation with our front desk or one of our therapists to discuss your specific needs and goals. They can help guide you to the most appropriate treatment.

 

2. Do I need a doctor's referral?
No, you do not need a doctor's referral to book an appointment with most of our therapists. However, some extended health insurance plans may require a referral for reimbursement, so we advise you to check with your provider. A referral is often necessary for Lymphedema Therapy if you are seeking insurance coverage.

 

3. Do you direct bill to insurance companies?
Yes, we offer direct billing to many major insurance providers for eligible services, particularly for Registered Massage Therapy and Athletic Therapy. Please check with our front desk to confirm if we can direct bill to your specific plan. For other therapies, we provide detailed receipts that you can submit for reimbursement.

 

4. What should I expect during my first appointment?
Your first appointment will begin with a thorough consultation. Your therapist will discuss your health history, current concerns, and goals for treatment. They will then perform relevant assessments (e.g., posture, range of motion) to create a personalized treatment plan. The hands-on treatment will follow, and you will be draped (covered) with sheets for privacy, with only the area being worked on exposed.

 

5. What should I wear to my appointment?
For most treatments, comfortable, loose-fitting clothing is ideal. For Athletic Therapy or Osteopathic assessment, you may be asked to wear shorts and a t-shirt to allow for proper movement analysis. For massage therapy, you will undress to your level of comfort.

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Questions About Specific Treatments

6. What is Registered Massage Therapy good for?
RMT is effective for a wide range of issues, including:

• Chronic pain (back, neck, shoulder)

• Sports injuries and repetitive strain injuries (e.g., carpal tunnel)

• Headaches and migraines

• Stress, anxiety, and insomnia

• Postural imbalances

• Rehabilitation after injury

 

7. How can Clinical Hypnotherapy help me if I have physical pain?
The mind and body are deeply connected. Clinical Hypnotherapy can be a powerful tool for managing chronic pain, reducing the anxiety and stress that often accompany it, improving sleep, and changing subconscious patterns that contribute to tension and discomfort.

 

8. I'm not an athlete. Is Athletic Therapy only for sports injuries?
Not at all! While Athletic Therapists are experts in sports injuries, they are specialists in musculoskeletal disorders for everyone. If you have a sprain, strain, or any joint or muscle pain from work, daily life, or an accident, Athletic Therapy can provide effective assessment and active rehabilitation.

 

9. How is Bowen Therapy different from massage?
Unlike massage which uses continuous pressure and movement, Bowen Therapy involves gentle, precise "rolling" moves over muscles, tendons, and nerves with periods of rest in between. These pauses allow the body to process the information and initiate its own healing response. It is remarkably gentle and suitable for all ages.

 

10. What does a Manual Osteopathic treatment feel like?
Osteopathic treatment is generally very gentle and relaxing. The therapist uses a variety of light-touch techniques, such as stretching, gentle pressure, and resistance, to encourage the release of tension and improve mobility. You may feel a deep sense of relaxation or a release of holding patterns in your body.

 

11. What conditions can Cranial-Fascial Therapy address?
This therapy is particularly helpful for:

• TMJ (jaw) pain and dysfunction

• Chronic headaches and migraines

• Sinus congestion

• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

• Stress and anxiety

• Whiplash and concussions

 

12. Who can benefit from Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) and Lymphedema Therapy?
These therapies are beneficial for:

• Individuals with lymphedema (swelling) after cancer surgery.

• Post-operative swelling from any surgery (e.g., cosmetic, orthopedic).

• Lipedema.

• Chronic venous insufficiency.

• Sinusitis and recurring infections.

• General detoxification and relaxation.

 

13. Is massage safe during cancer treatment?
Yes, when performed by a therapist specifically trained in Oncology Massage. Our therapists have the expertise to adapt pressure, positioning, and techniques to ensure your safety and comfort, addressing common side effects like fatigue, anxiety, pain, and neuropathy. We work in communication with your healthcare team when necessary.

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Booking & Policies

14. How do I book an appointment?
You can book an appointment easily online through our [booking portal],  or by emailing 
 

You can book an appointment easily online through our Booking Portal https://balancedhealthwellnesscentre.janeapp.com/#/list

or you can contact your therapist via email
 

Alyssa - balancedhealthwellnesscentre@gmail.com

Amy - hypno_by_amy@outlook.com 

Brynn -  brynnbicknellat@gmail.com

Micah - micahregistered@gmail.com

 

15. What is your cancellation policy?
We require 48 hours notice for appointment cancellations or rescheduling. Appointments cancelled with less than 48 hours notice may be subject to a cancellation fee.

 

16. Do you offer direct billing for all the therapies listed?

Yes! Our massage therapists are all licensed and can bill directly to most insurance providers (excluding MSP and ICBC). 

Many insurance plans cover Athletic therapy, with some allowing direct billing. Clinical hypnotherapy may also have coverage (particularly to quit smoking), but direct billing is not offered at this time. 

 

Still Have Questions?
Our team is here to help you on your wellness journey. Contact us today, and we'll be happy to provide more information.