Massage Therapy in Downtown Edmonton: What to Expect at Aura

Massage therapy in Edmonton is easy to book at Aura Physiotherapy, a clinic in the Oliver neighbourhood of downtown Edmonton. Our massage sessions are provided by registered massage therapists, run from 30 to 90 minutes, and are billed separately from physiotherapy, with direct billing to many extended health plans. You don't need a doctor's referral to book a massage, although some benefit plans ask for one before they reimburse you.

This article explains what a massage session at Aura involves, how to choose a session length, what pressure to ask for, how massage fits alongside physiotherapy and chiropractic care, what it costs and how insurance usually works, and when massage is not the right first step.

General information only, not a diagnosis. Our physiotherapists, chiropractor and massage therapists assess every patient first.

What massage therapy at Aura involves

Massage therapy is hands-on work on the muscles and soft tissue. A registered massage therapist uses techniques such as kneading, gliding strokes and sustained pressure to work on areas that feel tight, sore or overworked. People book it for a stiff neck after long desk days, tired legs from running, or simply time to look after their body.

At Aura, massage is its own service with its own therapists. It sits in the same clinic as physiotherapy, chiropractic care and kinesiology, so if you are already a physiotherapy patient you can book massage without going anywhere new. You can also book massage on its own, without ever seeing a physiotherapist.

Your session takes place in a private treatment room on a padded table. You stay covered with a sheet or towel the whole time, and only the area being worked on is uncovered. You can keep on any clothing you prefer. The therapist will check in about comfort and pressure, and you can ask them to change anything at any point.

Your first massage session: what happens

A first session starts with a short conversation before any hands-on work. Your therapist asks what brought you in, which areas you want them to focus on, and whether you have any health conditions, recent injuries, surgeries or medications they should know about. If you are pregnant, tell them when you book and again at the start of the session.

Then the therapist leaves the room while you get onto the table under the sheet. They knock before coming back in. Talk or stay quiet, whichever you prefer, and tell your therapist straight away if anything feels too firm or uncomfortable.

At the end, the therapist steps out again while you dress. Some people feel a little sore in the worked areas for a day or so afterwards, a bit like after a workout. If soreness is sharp, gets worse, or lasts more than a couple of days, let the clinic know.

Choosing a session length

Aura's online booking lists massage sessions of 30, 45, 60, 75 and 90 minutes. The right length depends on how much of your body you want worked on and how much time you have.

• 30 minutes suits one focused area, such as the neck and shoulders, or a short session in a lunch break.
• 45 minutes gives time for two areas, for example the upper back and the neck.
• 60 minutes is the most common choice for a first visit. It leaves room for a conversation at the start and work on several areas.
• 75 or 90 minutes suits a full-body session at an unhurried pace, or extra time on one area that needs it.

If you are unsure, start with 60 minutes. Check your benefits plan too: some plans pay per visit, others pay up to a set dollar amount, so the session length you choose can change what you pay out of pocket.

Light, firm or deep tissue pressure

Many people search for deep tissue massage in Edmonton when what they really want is firmer pressure on tight areas. Pressure is something you choose with your therapist, not a different kind of appointment. You can ask for lighter or firmer work at any point in the session, and your therapist will adjust.

Firmer, slower pressure that works into deeper layers of muscle is what most people mean by deep tissue work. It can feel intense, but it should not feel sharp, and you should be able to breathe normally and stay relaxed. If you are tensing up or holding your breath, the pressure is too much, and it is fine to say so.

Lighter, flowing pressure is often a better choice for a first massage, for a body that is already sore, or when the main aim is to relax.

Massage, physiotherapy and chiropractic care: which to book

All three are hands-on, and people often ask which one they need. The short version: massage therapy focuses on muscle and soft tissue work. Physiotherapy starts with an assessment of how you move and what is driving a problem, and builds a treatment plan that usually includes exercise. Chiropractic care at Aura includes assessment and treatment of the spine and joints.

If you have a specific injury, pain that is getting worse, pain after a fall or a car accident, or a problem that keeps coming back, a physiotherapy assessment is usually the better first step. A physiotherapist can look at the whole picture and tell you whether massage would be a useful part of your plan. If you mostly want to ease general tightness and look after your body, booking massage directly is fine.

Because all three services are under one roof at Aura, you don't have to choose once and stay there. Our guide to low back pain physiotherapy explains what a physiotherapy assessment for back pain looks at.

Lymphatic massage is a different service

Aura also offers lymphatic massage, which is not the same as a regular massage. Manual lymphatic drainage uses very light, rhythmic strokes to support the movement of lymph fluid, and it is often booked after surgery or for conditions involving swelling. It is provided at Aura by a therapist trained at the Dr. Vodder School, and it is booked separately in our online booking, in 30, 45, 60 or 90 minute sessions.

If you are recovering from surgery or managing swelling, read our guide to manual lymphatic drainage after surgery before you book, and check with your surgeon about timing. If you simply want relaxation or work on tight muscles, a regular massage session is the one to choose. For more on lymphatic sessions, read our guide to lymphatic drainage massage in Edmonton.

Massage therapy cost and insurance in Edmonton

Aura's online booking currently lists massage at $63 for 30 minutes, $80 for 45 minutes, $110 for 60 minutes, $130 for 75 minutes and $140 for 90 minutes. Prices can change, so the booking page is always the current source.

Massage is billed separately from physiotherapy. Many extended health plans include massage therapy, but plans treat it in different ways. Some have a separate yearly maximum for massage, some share one maximum across several practitioner types, and some only pay for massage from a registered massage therapist or ask for a doctor's referral first. Before your visit, it helps to ask your insurer three things:

1. Does my plan cover massage therapy, and how much is left this year?
2. Does it pay per visit, a percentage of the fee, or up to a dollar amount?
3. Do I need a doctor's referral to be reimbursed?

We direct bill many insurers, so in most cases we send the claim for you and you pay any amount your plan does not cover. Our guide to direct billing explains how that works, and the insurance questions on our FAQ page list the insurers we bill. Alberta Health Care does not cover massage therapy at a private clinic.

If you were in a car accident, massage may be part of your recovery under your auto insurance claim. Aura has separate booking options for car accident (MVA) massage. Ask us how your claim works before you book, and see the Government of Alberta automobile insurance page for the general rules. Our article on physiotherapy after a car accident in Alberta covers the first steps.

When massage is not the right first step

Massage is a safe choice for most people, but there are times to wait or to see a doctor first. Tell your therapist about any of these when you book, and get medical advice before booking massage if you have:

• new swelling, warmth, redness or pain in one leg, which needs a doctor to rule out a blood clot
• a fever, or an infection you are being treated for
• a recent fracture, or a fresh injury with severe pain or swelling
• a skin condition, rash or open wound over the area you want worked on
• numbness, tingling or weakness that is spreading or getting worse

Call 911 or go to emergency for chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, sudden weakness on one side of the body, or loss of bladder or bowel control. These need urgent medical care, not massage.

If you are pregnant, have a heart condition, take blood thinners, or have had recent surgery or cancer treatment, massage may still be fine, but your therapist needs to know so they can adapt the session. When in doubt, ask your doctor first.

Booking massage at Aura

You can book a massage online any time, or call the clinic. Aura is at Unit 207, 11520 100 Ave NW, in the Oliver neighbourhood of downtown Edmonton. We are open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 7 pm, and Saturday from 8:30 am to 1 pm.

When you book online, you can choose your therapist and see their open times. If you find a therapist you like, you can keep booking with the same person each visit. Bring your benefits card so we can direct bill your plan.

If you are not sure whether massage or physiotherapy is the better place to start, book an initial physiotherapy assessment. It is 40 minutes, you see the same physiotherapist at every visit, you get a written treatment plan, and no referral is needed to book. You can book your initial physiotherapy assessment online.

Frequently asked questions about massage therapy in Edmonton

Do I need a referral to book a massage at Aura?

No. You can book massage directly. Some benefit plans ask for a doctor's referral before they reimburse massage, so check your plan if you want to claim it.

Are Aura's massage therapists registered massage therapists?

Yes. Massage sessions at Aura are provided by registered massage therapists. Many benefit plans require this for massage to be covered, so it is worth confirming your plan's rules when you call your insurer.

Can you direct bill my massage?

In most cases, yes. We direct bill many insurers, and massage is billed separately from physiotherapy. Your plan decides what it pays, and you pay any amount it does not cover.

Which session length should I book first?

Sixty minutes is a good first choice. It leaves time to talk about what you want at the start and to work on several areas. You can book shorter or longer sessions later.

What is the difference between deep tissue massage and a regular massage?

At Aura, pressure is chosen with your therapist during the session rather than booked as a separate service. Ask for firmer, deeper work on tight areas, and tell your therapist if it becomes too much.

Can I book massage and physiotherapy at the same clinic?

Yes. Massage therapy, physiotherapy, chiropractic care and kinesiology are all offered at Aura, so you can combine them in one place if that suits your recovery.

Important: This article is general information only. It is not medical advice and it cannot be used to diagnose or treat any condition. Every patient is assessed first by one of our registered physiotherapists, our chiropractor or our registered massage therapists before any treatment, and your care plan is based on that assessment. If you have symptoms, please book an assessment.

Book a massage in downtown Edmonton

Time set aside for your body, in the heart of Oliver. Book your massage online or call (587) 405-3174. Aura Physiotherapy, Unit 207, 11520 100 Ave NW, Edmonton.

Related service: Massage therapy and all services at Aura

Related reading: manual lymphatic drainage after surgery and how direct billing works