Frequently Asked Questions

DO YOU OFFER DIRECT BILLING?

Yes! We offer Direct billing for both Massage Therapy & Naturopathic Services.

Insurance can NOT be used for appointments with Students. For more information on Direct Billing click the link below.

WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT DO YOU ACCEPT?

We accept cash, debit, credit, credit card on file and E-transfer methods of payment. E-Transfer can be sent to admin@renewwellnesscenter.ca. We also sell & accept Gift certificates.

CAN I CLAIM MY TREATMENT ON INCOME TAX?

You CAN claim your Naturopathic treatments on your income tax as Naturopathic Doctors are considered health care professionals in Manitoba. Keep those receipts for income tax time.

Massage Therapy can NOT be claimed on income tax. Massage Therapy is not regulated in Manitoba and therefore RMT's are not considered a medial professional at this time and can not be used as a health care expense. Some provinces in Canada have regulated massage therapy which is why this may be confusing. Don't spend the extra time collecting your massage receipts as it will waste the time you are taking as well as the time you are paying your accountant.

CRA guidelines: Medical Practitioners for Income Tax

CAN I CLAIM A NO SHOW OR LATE CANCELLATION FEE ON MY INSURANCE?

No you can not claim it on your insurance and we can NOT direct bill for a no show fee. If you have not attended for a service, it would be considered insurance fraud to bill for an appointment you did not receive. If you require a receipt for the payment, we can provide that to you, but it will state that the payment was for a no show and the insurance company will not reimburse you for that.

DO YOU WORK WITH WCB OR MPI CLAIMS?

We do NOT offer any billing to WCB or MPI for massage therapy claims. If you have coverage to receive massage therapy due to a work place injury or a motor vehicle accident, you will be required to pay for your appointment in full and then you will be provided with a receipt that you can submit to receive reimbursement. MPI does not cover massage therapy provided by an RMT and only provides coverage for massage if applied by a physician, chiropractor, nurse practitioner, physiotherapist or athletic therapist.

More info about MPI claims here

WHEN CAN A FEE BE CHARGED IF I CANCEL?

We require 24 hours notice to cancel your appointment without any fee. If your appointment is cancelled less than 24 hours in advance, you will be subject to the full cost of the appointment. We do not charge for a late cancellation due to sickness or emergencies, unless this is a regular "excuse". If you do not provide any notice of cancellation, that is considered a NO SHOW and you will be charged the full cost of your appointment.

WHAT IF I SHOW UP LATE TO MY APPOINTMENT?

If you are not able to arrive on time for your appointment, you will still be charged the full amount of the appointment but you will only receive the allotted time originally scheduled. This is due to our staff having full schedules and we are not able to accommodate extra time.

IF I HAVE AN OUSTANDING FEE, CAN I REBOOK?

You will be required to pay for your outstanding fee and provide a credit card on file before you can re-book.

I DON'T REALLY LIKE THE MUSIC THAT IS PLAYING. CAN IT BE CHANGED?

YES! We use the Sonos music application that streams music from our reception desk to each treatment room. The speakers in each treatment room can have different music streaming into the room. If you feel you would be able to enjoy your treatment with another style of music, please let your therapist know and they can select a style of music that you prefer. This does not offend the therapist if you make this request and it doesn't affect any other treatment rooms. We want to make sure there is no hindrance in anyone being able to fully relax and enjoy their massage.

I WOULD PREFER IF THE THERAPIST DIDN'T TALK DURING THE MASSAGE. WHICH THERAPIST CAN I BOOK WITH IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THIS WILL BE RESPECTED?

All of the therapists and students at Renew Wellness Center desire to respect the boundaries of any client that enters our clinic and treatment rooms. Each therapist and student tries to pay close attention to the body language of the client to see if they are engaging in conversation or would like the therapist to stop talking. Obviously this can be overlooked and therefore, we would prefer if the client was open and honest with the therapist/student before the treatment begins to let them know if they'd like to relax during the treatment and limit conversation. This will take any of the guess work out of this and ensures the client receives the quiet they were hoping for. This does not offend the therapist or student. In fact, we would rather you share that with us instead of leaving frustrated or feeling like you were not able to completely relax.

DO I HAVE TO GET COMPLETELY UNDRESSED FOR MASSAGE THERAPY TREATMENTS? WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO?

You do not have to get completely undressed. During your assessment and consultation, the RMT or student will discuss the suggested treatment plan with you. Your consent is always the primary concern and you are encouraged to get disrobed to your level of comfort. You can receive an effective, therapeutic massage regardless of what clothing (if any) you choose to remove. Your comfort and ability to relax is a top priority for our RMTs. The RMT or student may suggest what is generally most comfortable for the client and the therapist to achieve the best results from the treatment, and then the client makes the final decision based on that conversation.

During the entire massage, the client is under a sheet and ongoing consent is always part of the treatment as each area of the body is being draped to prepare the exposed tissue for treatment. If at any time you feel uncomfortable due to pain, treatment or draping, please let your RMT know. Before and after the massage, you will be able undress and dress in complete privacy. Most clients generally disrobe leaving just their bottom underwear on.

CAN YOU ACCOMODATE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES OR SPECIAL NEEDS?

YES! We welcome people with disabilities or special needs. Our facility is all one level and is wheelchair accessible throughout the entire facility. Treatments can be performed while sitting in a wheel chair or on the massage table if you are able to stand and be assisted.

DO I GET WET IF I USE THE HYDROMASSAGE BED?

NO! The HydroMassage bed provides a dry massage experience while the jets pulse under the covered mat that you lie on top of. You remain fully clothed for the duration of the treatment.

WHAT IS A STUDENT MASSAGE?

Students going through the massage therapy course are required to complete a hands-on practical component for a determined number of hours each year under the supervision of an RMT. If you book in for a 60 minute massage with a student, they will begin the appointment by assessing your present condition using Orthopedic and/or Osteopathic protocols. They will discuss a suggested treatment based on your complaint(s) and you will receive 45-50 minutes of massage according to the treatment plan agreed upon. Safety is always a priority and an RMT observer is on location to provide students with advice and help if needed. At some point during your massage the observer may drop in to provide the student with guidance.

Book a Student Massage

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A BASIC, ADVANCED & PRACTICUM STUDENT?

The Basic Level students are in their first year of training and they are learning the techniques of Swedish massage.

The Advanced Level students are in their second or third year of training and shift their focus toward therapeutic massage which is commonly used for treatment of specific conditions.

The Practicum students have completed all theory & hands-on training at this point and will be graduating in June. They are working in a practical setting to combine all the skills & techniques they have learned over the past few years before they graduate as an RMT. Both Therapeutic or Relaxation treatment techniques can be applied at this stage of their training.

In addition to the primary education the students are receiving, they also complete additional workshops occasionally that allow students to gain knowledge in advancing their education. The students are able to integrate this additional knowledge into their treatments. You can learn more about the training that each student has taken by reading their bio's in order to book your appointment with the best student for your needs.

Read Student Bios

WHY SHOULD I BOOK A MASSAGE WITH A STUDENT?

When you book an appointment with a student at Renew Wellness Center, you will:

Support the students in their learning as well as support the Pembina Valley region to increase the number of trained RMT's available.
If you have insurance coverage for massage therapy, you may not make it through the entire year with your coverage, and you may consider alternating your massage appointments with an RMT and a student to help stretch out your insurance coverage.
Receive the benefits of the fresh knowledge of assessment and treatment techniques the students are learning which sometimes get lost as a therapist settles into their practice after graduation.
Benefit from an available RMT who is able to guide the student in their assessment if needed.

Book a Student Massage

I DON'T WANT JUST A RELAXATION MASSAGE FROM A STUDENT....CAN THEY PROVIDE A DEEP TISSUE TREATMENT FOR MY COMPLAINT?

The overall answer is YES! During your consultation with the student, you can share your preference of deeper pressure and the student will do their best to accommodate each client based on their abilities, and communicate to the client when deeper pressure may or may not be beneficial. Whether the student is in their basic year or their advanced year of training, deep pressure can be applied for most of the techniques. Communication and feedback during and following your treatment is extremely important for the students' growth as a therapist and improved application of the techniques.

Book a Student Massage

Frequently Asked Questions

DO YOU OFFER DIRECT BILLING?

Yes! We offer Direct billing for both Massage Therapy & Naturopathic Services. Insurance can NOT be used for appointments with Students. For more information on Direct Billing click the link below.

WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT DO YOU ACCEPT?

We accept cash, debit, credit, credit card on file and E-transfer methods of payment. E-Transfer can be sent to admin@renewwellnesscenter.ca. We also sell & accept Gift certificates.

CAN I CLAIM MY TREATMENT ON INCOME TAX?

CAN I CLAIM A NO SHOW OR LATE CANCELLATION FEE ON MY INSURANCE?

DO YOU WORK WITH WCB OR MPI CLAIMS?

Yes! We offer Direct billing for both Massage Therapy & Naturopathic Services.

Insurance can NOT be used for appointments with Students. For more information on Direct Billing click the link below.