massage Therapy teaching clinic

You will be treated by a massage therapy student in a supervised clinical setting. There may be more than one student/observer involved with your treatment. Students will practice a range of introductory or advanced massage therapy techniques and improve their skills in areas such as health history review, intake interviews, body mechanics, draping, informed consent, assessment, recognizing contraindications and the ability to provide basic homecare recommendations.

Note: A thorough physical assessment may be required at your first visit. This provides the massage therapy student with knowledge to develop and provide an appropriate treatment.

Due to the nature of the teaching clinic, we are unable to accept patients with various health conditions. For further information on whether this clinic best suits your needs, please call or email the clinic.

Before your Treatment

You will be asked to complete a Patient Information Intake Form to provide a detailed history of your health and the condition(s) that you are seeking treatment for. This detailed history, along with a consultation, will provide the basis for your treatment. If you require assistance to complete the form, do not hesitate to ask the student for assistance. Students will consult with their instructors, all of whom are registered massage therapists, to review and approve the treatment plans.

You can complete the Patient Information Intake Form in advance and then bring it with you to your first appointment.

Patient Information Intake Form

During your Treatment

We encourage you to ask questions and/or for clarification about your treatment plan. 

The Clinic supplies gowns, sheets, pillows and bolsters to ensure your comfort.

There are five (5) levels of clinic throughout the academic year. All patients are placed in the teaching clinic that best meets their medical/physical needs and best matches the student's skill level.

Fall Term - September to December

Clinic is Scheduled on Thursday

Six-week appointment commitment required

Clinical Focus: UPPER BODY CLINIC, PREGNANCY, INFANT & ADOLESCENT CLINIC

Student therapists are in the second year of the Massage Therapy program and have completed Clinical Practice I and II. The first six weeks is therapeutic massage for the UPPER BODY. For this portion of the clinic, appropriate patients present with MODERATE TO SEVERE neck, upper back and upper extremity problems such as headaches, frozen shoulder, bursitis, tendonitis, postural issues, muscle spasms, edema, muscle tightness, sprains and strains. Student therapists use various techniques to suit patient needs such as hydrotherapy, myofascial release, manual lymphatic drainage, trigger point therapy and stretching. Full participation in the entire 6-week session is required. During November - pregnancy, infant and adolescent massage appointments are available.

Winter Term - January to April

Clinics are Scheduled on Tuesday and Thursday

Clinical Focus 1: – GENERAL WELLNESS CLINIC

Single appointments available.

First-year students are introduced to the practice of massage therapy in a supervised clinical setting. Students practice a range of introductory massage therapy techniques and improve skills related to health history review, intake interviews, body mechanics, draping, informed consent, assessment, recognizing contraindications, and provide basic home care recommendations. Due to the nature of this teaching clinic, healthy patients are required, and the clinic is unable to accept patients with advanced health conditions (i.e., neurological disorders, pregnancy, heart conditions, active cancers, etc.).

There is no weekly time commitment or comprehensive physical assessment. 60-minute or 90-minute single appointments are available.

Clinical Focus 2:  FULL BODY INJURY + NEUROLOGICAL CLINIC

Six-week appointment commitment required

Student therapists are in the second year of the Massage Therapy program and have completed Clinical Practice I, II and III. Students provide clinical assessment and therapeutic massage for patients with MODERATE TO SEVERE anatomical/physiological conditions. This clinic is ideal for individuals with more complicated health-related concerns. Individuals with active cancers, heart conditions, neurological conditions (MS, Cerebral Palsy, Parkinson's, etc.) significantly decreased mobility issues (e.g. wheelchair users). The students use various techniques to suit patient needs, such as hydrotherapy, myofascial release, manual lymphatic drainage, and PNF and trigger point therapy and stretching.

Full participation in the entire 6-week session is required.

Spring Term - May to June

Clinics are Scheduled on Tuesday and Thursday

Clinical Focus – POSTURAL CLINIC

Six-week appointment commitment required.

Student therapists are in the first year of the Massage Therapy program and have completed Clinical Practice I. Student therapists in this teaching clinic practice advanced techniques, assessment procedures, charting skills, treatment plan development, and prescribing basic self-care. There will be a focus on postural analysis and the development and application of treatment based on these findings. Patients can expect to have an assessment and postural analysis at the start of their treatment session, which may take one or more appointments to complete. Appropriate patients present with MILD TO MODERATE injuries/chronic/postural conditions such as strains, sprains, tendonitis, muscle cramping, hyperkyphosis, hyperlordosis, scoliosis, scarring, upper back tension, stress headaches, upper back pain, mild osteoarthritis, etc. Full participation in the entire 6-week session is required.

APPOINTMENTS

In some treatment plans, it may be preferred that you receive a minimum of 5 treatments by one intern to provide the student with a productive learning experience.

Appointments are scheduled on Thursdays during September to December and on Tuesdays and Thursdays during January to April, and May to June.

Treatments are either 60 minutes OR 90 minutes and are generally scheduled as follows:

• 90-minute appointments times are – 9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. OR 3:30 p.m.
• 60-minute appointments times are - 9:15 am, 10:45 am, 12:15 pm, 1:45, 3:15 pm OR 4:45 pm

Fee for Treatments

The Massage Therapy Teaching Clinic charges a fee of $20 per 60-minute treatment and $30 for 90-minute treatment. The fee covers the cost of supplies for the clinic. There is no fee charged for the actual massage treatment.

We do not accept cash. Payments can be made by debit or credit card.

The MacEwan University Massage Teaching Clinic cannot treat patients whose conditions are part of an active motor vehicle injury claim or a Workers' Compensation Board claim.

The Clinic cannot supply reports to third parties such as insurance companies, lawyers or the Workers’ Compensation Board.

There are a few things you should do to maximize the effectiveness and comfort of your experience in the Massage Therapy Teaching Clinic:

1. For your first visit to the clinic, please arrive 15 minutes early to complete intake forms if you did not submit them in advance.
2. Arrive on time for your appointment. Due to demand, we are not able to extend your appointment. If you are late, your appointment will be shortened accordingly or cancelled.
3. Cancel if you are unable to attend. We would appreciate receiving 24 hours notice for a cancellation to enable us to schedule another patient during that time.
4. Eat something before coming in for your treatment.
5. Turn off cell phones during treatment.

Inappropriate behaviour and/or abusive language towards student interns and staff of MacEwan University will not be tolerated. Treatment will be denied to patients who conduct themselves inappropriately.