Frequently Asked Questions

Here is a list of frequently asked questions that will help give you an understanding of how we work, our philosophy, and how we will assist you with your particular needs. Click on any question and the answer will appear. Should there be other questions, please feel free to contact us; we'd love to hear from you!

At Crooks & Co. we understand your time is important and for that reason, treatment lengths range from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on your particular needs. All sessions are spent with a one-to-one quota, you and your health provider. On occasion, depending on your particular case there might be two therapists working with you. A fundamental core belief, the most comprehensive care comes with individualized specialized focus and, at Crooks & Co., you will always receive that.

Please arrive about 10 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time. You will fill out a medical history form. This allows the therapist to understand your present/past medical history and determine if there are any contraindications (CI) to massage therapy. You will then have a questionnaire session (interview) with your therapist. Any thoughts and/or questions related to your situation with be asked here and a treatment plan best suiting your particular needs will be devised. Then, an orthopaedic physical assessment is performed and, with the time remaining, the hands on treatment will commence. The therapist will then leave the room allowing privacy for disrobing and/or changing into shorts, t-shirt or sports bra. The patient will usually get on the treatment table, unless advised otherwise by your therapist. The patient always has the option to disrobe to whichever level he or she desires. Only the aspect of the body that is being treated is uncovered. At no point whatsoever will your therapist ask you to disrobe in front of them or you be exposed on the table. Should the patient feel uncomfortable disrobing please advise your therapist for an alternative arrangement. For some patients, keeping fully clothed is totally normal and welcomed. Your therapist will then knock on the door to reenter the room when you are ready for your treatment. Your treatment will consist of a variety of soft tissue techniques best suited for you and your particular condition. Post treatment, your therapist will perform a short assessment again to determine how you have improved after care. Following the treatment, the therapist will vacate the treatment room allowing your privacy while you dress. At various times you might be taken into the exercise area to perform therapeutic exercises and/or specific movement drills. After interviewing, assessing and treating the patient, your therapist will be better acquainted with your particular condition, then a treatment plan with goals will be assigned and devised. Home care exercises outside of the clinic care will be assigned and any further questions that arise will be answered.

Many of our practitioners now offer direct billing with ICBC. This means that we can bill ICBC directly for your treatment. Please note however, that ICBC may not cover the full amount for your treatment and that you are responsible to pay the remainder balance. Please check with ICBC to see which amount is covered and feel free to contact us for more details.

You will not need a medical doctor referral to visit a massage therapy clinic in British Columbia. Some extended health insurance plans may ask you for a doctor’s referral for you to acquire reimbursement for your care. We advise it best to inquire with your place of employment and/or insurer to determine their requirements.

In the province of British Columbia and all other provinces where the profession of massage therapy is regulated, most likely your extended health care plan covers massage treatments. To be certain, we advise you inquire with your insurer or place of employment.

Many of our practitioners now offer direct billing with a variety of health benefits providers such as: Pacific Blue Cross, Canada Life, Manulife, Sun Life, Claim Secure, D.A. Townley, Desjardins Insurance, IA Financial Group, Johnson, Johnston Group, BPA, Chambers of Commerce, CINUP, Cowan, GMS, Group Health, Group Source, Maximum benefit, Manion, CCWU, Green Shield Canada, SSQ Insurance, Empire Life, Medic Construction, Medavie BC. This means that we can file the claim for you and receive payment directly from your health benefit provider. Please note that your health benefits may not cover the entire amount of the treatment and that you are still responsible to pay for the balance. Please check with your provider before your visit to find out which amount they cover. Contact us for more information and to see which providers can offer direct billing for your health benefit provider. Make sure to have your policy number and ID number ready so that we can put it in your file.

Is the manipulation of soft tissues of the body including, muscles, connective tissues, tendons, ligaments and joints. Massage Therapy is a clinically-oriented healthcare profession that helps alleviate the discomfort associated with everyday and occupational stresses, muscular over-use and various painful conditions.

Massage therapy:

Rehabilitates or augments physical function

Maintains and/or prevents dysfunction

Enhances health and recreational activity

Promotes wellness

Improves movement

Assists with injury prevention/recovery

Relieves pain

Promotes relaxation

In British Columbia (BC), massage therapists are governed by the provincial legislation and the College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC) Bylaws providing the framework for regulating the practice of massage therapy. CMTBC is one of 22 health regulatory colleges in BC falling under the Health Professions Act since December 16, 1994. The Act delegates authority to the colleges to govern their registrants in the public interest. Graduates of a recognized massage therapy education program in BC are eligible to challenge the registration examinations (written & practical) to become registered massage therapists in BC. Massage therapy has been a regulated profession under British Columbia legislation since 1946. Before designation under the Health Professions Act, the profession was regulated with physical therapy under the former Physiotherapists Act.

When a therapist registers with the CMTBC, they are issued a wall certificate and a photo ID card. A massage therapist must provide one of these documents as proof of registration, if so requested.

It is in your best interest to seek massage therapy from a registered massage therapist. Your RMT:

Has completed a 2-3 (2200-3000 hour) year full-time program at a recognized college that teaches massage therapy;

Has passed an entry-to-practice examination that ensures they have the competencies necessary to safely and effectively offer massage therapy services to the public;

Must participate in a Continuing Education Courses/Quality Assurance program with the College of Massage Therapists of BC, a program that assist in the maintenance of professional standards and quality care;

Best practice delivering evidence based, skilled, ethical and professional treatment;

Is accountable to the College of Massage Therapists of BC, through the complaints and discipline processes, in the event that the services they provide do not meet the standards of practice;

What is important to you, resting easy with the peace of mind knowing your registered massage therapist will always provide safe and effective professional care;

With the advancement, research and growing popularity of the profession, there continues to be an increase of more clinical studies further legitimizing the practice of massage therapy;

Provides a receipt that will be accepted by your extended health benefits plan for reimbursement (provided you plan covers massage therapy).

Is there a difference between a registered massage therapist (RMT) and an unlicensed person who performs massage (body worker, masseuse, etc.)?

All RMT’s at Crooks & Co. are registered massage therapists. What does that designation mean for you? Your RMT has successfully completed a comprehensive and rigorous college program totalling 3,000 in class hours, in addition to hundreds of hours of practical hands-on training. Each college graduate must sit and pass the College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC) provincial entry-to-practice examination. This ensures your RMT has the competencies necessary to safely, ethically, and effectively provide massage therapy to you and your trust and confidentiality always is respected. To retain the RMT designation, all RMT’s in BC must participate in a yearly Continuing Education Courses/Quality Assurance program as approved by the college (CMTBC), which is regulated by the Health Act. This practice ensures the maintenance of professional standards and high quality care. At Crooks & Co. we believe it is best to use a RMT, it is in your absolute best interest.

After your first treatment session, you and your therapist, together, will devise a sound medical treatment plan that best serves your particular needs and goals moving forward.

Sprains, Strains, Sciatica, Muscle Cramps, Muscle Tension/Spasm, Headaches -Tension, Migraine, Stress Related Disorders, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Frozen Shoulder, Whiplash and associated disorders, Pregnancy (Pre and Post Care), Labour Care, Pelvic Pain, Plantar Fasciosis, Tendinopathies (tendonitis), Osteoarthritis (OA), Contusions, Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ), Fibromyalgia, Osteoporosis Illiotibial Band Impingement (ITB) Syndrome, Shin splints (compartment syndrome), Anterior ligament tears, Anxiety, Depression, Multiple sclerosis, Postural Spastic paralysis, Stroke, Parkinson's, digestive disorders, joint dysfunction and more.