Frequently Asked Questions and Policies

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I expect during my first session?

Your first session at NW Orthopaedic Massage begins with an intake and a conversation about your symptoms, injury history, movement patterns, and goals.  From there, your therapist will take you through an assessment, including a postural assessment, range-of-motion testing, and possibly some functional movement testing.

Sessions may include a combination of orthopedic massage techniques, myofascial work, corrective movement, and therapeutic stretching. Pressure and techniques are always adjusted to your comfort level, and communication is encouraged throughout the session.

• Thorough evaluation

• Customized treatment plan

• Progress communication

• Integrated with your provider’s care

If you have more specific questions or ones that are not answered via our website, please don't hesitate to contact us. 

Do you work with motor vehicle accident injuries?

Yes. We regularly work with clients recovering from motor vehicle accidents, including whiplash, soft tissue injuries, chronic pain, and post-traumatic movement restrictions.

Massage can play an important role in recovery when combined with chiropractic care, physical therapy, acupuncture, or medical treatment. We work closely with your healthcare providers, claims adjusters, and attorneys, ensuring timely billing, detailed documentation, and regular progress updates to support your case and recovery.

What if my PIP runs out?

If PIP benefits are exhausted, we will discuss available options, which may include transitioning to self-pay or other payment arrangements when appropriate. Acceptance of continued care is case-dependent and based on current clinic capacity and business considerations.

Can I receive a massage after surgery, or if I'm in pain?

Yes. Massage can be very beneficial after surgery or during periods of pain, as long as it’s appropriate for your stage of healing.

We work carefully with post-surgical clients to support circulation, reduce guarding, improve mobility, and ease compensatory tension — always respecting surgical protocols and your provider’s recommendations. If you’re unsure whether massage is appropriate, we’re happy to discuss your situation before booking.

What is medical or orthopaedic massage?

Medical or orthopedic massage focuses on addressing pain, injury, and movement dysfunction, rather than providing a relaxation-based experience.

At NW Orthopaedic Massage, this means:

• Targeted treatment based on anatomy and biomechanics

• Addressing the root cause of pain, not just symptoms

• Supporting recovery from injuries, surgeries, and chronic conditions

• Integrating corrective exercise or movement when appropriate

Each session is customized and clinically informed, while still being delivered in a calm, supportive environment.

Can I bill my insurance myself? Do I need a doctor’s referral?

We are an out-of-network, self-pay practice, and payment is due at the time of service. That said, many clients successfully submit sessions to their insurance for possible reimbursement.

We can provide a superbill upon request, which you may submit to your insurance company. Some insurance plans require a doctor’s referral or prescription for massage, while others do not. We recommend contacting your insurance provider directly to confirm your specific benefits and requirements.

If you have questions not answered here, please feel free to reach out — we’re happy to help you determine whether our services are the right fit for your needs.

POLICIES

At NW Orthopaedic Massage, we understand that unanticipated events occur in everyone's lives. Unforeseen events such as car problems, traffic considerations, business meetings, and project deadlines, are just a few reasons why one might consider canceling a massage appointment. In our commitment to provide a unique and outstanding massage experience to all of our clients, and out of consideration for our therapists' time, we have adopted the following policies:

Arrival to your massage

New Members: Due to COVID all paperwork is now electronic and there is no need to arrive early.  Please show up no more than 5 min early to your appointment to allow for proper spacing between patients. If late arrival is inevitable, your service(s) may be shortened in order to keep on schedule. The original treatment time will be charged.

Cancellation Policy

Please provide at least 24 hours notice if you need to reschedule or cancel a treatment. This gives us enough time to fill the slot. If a patient fails to cancel within 24 hours, they will be asked to pre-pay for future services and will be charged for the missed session.  If you have a fever, a known infection, or have experienced vomiting or diarrhea within 24 hours prior to your appointment time, we request that you cancel your session.  Please follow COVID protocols.

Late Arrival Policy

We regret that late arrivals will not receive extension of scheduled appointments. In special cases, and when our schedule will allow, we may be able to accommodate a partial or full appointment. This will be at our discretion and only with proper, advanced notification of your late arrival. The original reservation fee will be charged.

No Show Policy

Patients who fail to show for appointments may be asked to pre-pay for future services and will be charged for the appointment that was missed. 

Inclement Weather Policy

Inclement weather may also result in the need for late cancellations. We always ask our patients to be safe and not risk your safety trying to make your appointment.  We will do our best to give advance notice if we are closing or need to cancel due to bad weather and we ask you to do the same. Please do not risk your own safety trying to make your appointment.  In the meantime please ensure that all your contact numbers and email addresses are up to date so we can keep you in the loop in the need of scheduling changes.