Student Massage
How It Works
Your massage treatment at The Mend will be performed by one of our students under the tutelage of an experienced Registered Massage Therapist. All our clinic instructors are fully qualified and passionate about equipping the next generation of RMTs.
Student interns are well into their studies by the time they’re gaining hands-on experience at The Mend, and continue to refine their skills until the end of their program.
How It Works
Treatment Steps
Total Treatment Time: 75 Minutes. Total Massage Time: 45 – 55 Minutes.
Treatment Steps
Your massage appointment will consist of the following important steps to ensure thorough, complete and safe care.
Consultation & Assessment
10 – 15 minutes
Instructor Approval
5 – 10 minutes
Massage
45 – 55 minutes
Reassessment & Homecare
5 minutes
Total Time: 75 Minutes
Step 1
Consultation & Assessment
Before starting your first treatment, you’ll be asked to fill out a clinic intake form. This allows your student intern and their instructor to better understand your medical history and any areas that need extra care or attention. Once in your treatment room, your student intern will take you through the following steps as part of their training:
- Review your intake form or previous charts
- Identify your primary complaint and any secondary concerns
- Perform an assessment that aligns with their stage of learning
- Explain the results of the assessment to you and define goals for treatment
- Propose a treatment plan for the massage session
- Ask consent from you to perform the proposed treatment
We ask for your cooperation during this assessment period, as thoroughness with these steps are crucial to the student intern’s learning process.
Step 2
Instructor Approval
Your comfort and safety are a top priority. Once your treatment plan has been discussed, you’ll be instructed on how to prepare for your session and the student intern will leave the room. You will disrobe only to your level of comfort. During treatment, your body will always be fully draped (covered with a sheet) with the exception of the area on which the student intern is working.
While you are getting settled on the massage table, your student intern is having a valuable conversation with their clinic instructor that includes the following steps:
- Report the results of your assessment and their clinical findings for your individual case
- Review the treatment plan and goals along with the techniques intend to achieve them
- Receive feedback and tips based on the instructor’s clinical experience
- Secure approval to proceed with the treatment plan
The guidance provided by the supervising RMT is a critical step to improve the student’s critical thinking skills; this, in turn, enhances the effectiveness of your treatment.
Step 3
Student Lead Massage
This is your time to relax and enjoy the massage! Your student intern is trained to use a variety of techniques, depending on their level of clinical internship.
Remember, the Mend is a learning environment and therefore the clinic supervisor may enter your treatment space to check in with the student. During this time, the instructor may ask about specific goals, demonstrate a treatment technique, or ask questions to help improve your experience and the knowledge of the student.
Remember that communication with your student intern is important to ensure that your experience is a positive one. The students welcome constructive feedback throughout the hands-on process to ensure they are effectively achieving their planned results.
Step 4
Reassessment & Homecare
Once the hands-on portion of your appointment is complete, the student intern will leave the room so you can redress. When they return, you’ll be asked a few questions and to repeat a few assessment techniques to reassess your state and determine the effectiveness of the massage. They’ll provide you with a homecare plan that may include exercises, stretches, relaxation techniques or hydrotherapy that you can do at home to continue your care.
How It Works
Planning For Your Treatment
Would you like to learn how to make the most of your visit? We’ve prepared a useful checklist that should help you arrive with a clear goal in mind for your session, as well as further information on the treatment sessions themselves. Take a look below!