Massage Therapy Teaching Clinic

You will be treated by a massage therapy student in a supervised clinical setting. More than one student/observer may be 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 providing basic home care recommendations.

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

Due to the nature of the teaching clinic, we are unable to accept patients with some 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, provide the basis for your treatment. If you require assistance to complete the form, ask the student for assistance. Students consult with their instructors, all of whom are registered massage therapists, to review and approve the treatment plans.

You can complete the 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 request clarification about your treatment plan. 

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

There are five 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

Clinics are scheduled on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Clinical focus 1: General Wellness Clinic

Single appointments available: 60 minutes

Students practice a range of therapeutic techniques for the upper body. This is a general wellness clinic for full-body massages, but the students focus on the upper body. For this portion of the clinic, appropriate patients present with mild 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 techniques to suit patient needs such as hydrotherapy, myofascial release, manual lymphatic drainage, trigger point therapy and stretching.

Due to the nature of this teaching clinic, it cannot accept patients with advanced health conditions (for example, neurological disorders, heart conditions, active cancers).

There is no weekly time commitment or comprehensive physical assessment.

Clinical focus 2: Upper body clinic, pregnancy, infant and adolescent clinic

A commitment to full participation in the entire six-week session is required.

Student therapists are in the second year of the massage therapy program and have completed Clinical Practice I and II. The first six weeks are 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 techniques to suit patient needs such as hydrotherapy, myofascial release, manual lymphatic drainage, trigger point therapy and stretching.

During November, massage appointments for pregnancy, infants, and adolescents are available.

Appointments

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

Appointments are scheduled on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from September to June.

Treatments are either 60 minutes or 90 minutes.

Fee for treatments

The Massage Therapy Teaching Clinic charges $20 per 60-minute treatment and $30 per 90-minute treatment. The fee covers the cost of supplies for the clinic.

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

To maximize the effectiveness and comfort of your experience in the Massage Therapy Teaching Clinic, you should do the following:

1. For your first visit to the clinic, please arrive 15 minutes early to complete the intake form if you did not submit it in advance.
2. Cancel if you are unable to attend. We appreciate receiving 24 hours notice for a cancellation to enable us to schedule another patient during that time.
3. Eat something before coming in for your treatment.
4. 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.
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.

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.