Before year end - use up your coverage!

There’s only about two months, or a little more than eight weeks before the end of the year! Can you believe it?

“NOW IS THE TIME for you to review the amount remaining in your 2018 insurance coverage, and pre-book your massage therapy appointments for November and December to ensure that you are utilizing the complete extent of your annual coverage,” stressed Debby MacKenzie, owner of Academy Massage Therapy. “It’s one of those ‘use it’ or ‘lose it’ situations, in which dollars not spent by the end of the year are gone, and you can’t get them back.”

“At Academy Massage Therapy our friendly and knowledgable front desk staff are happy to assist you with your private insurance policy,” she added.

Reminding clients to use all of the dollars which are annually allocated to them for massage therapy, through their insurance policy, is an important part of Debby’s work at this time of year.

“Fall reminders are necessary,” noted Debby. “Because from now until the end of the year - the number of obligations and responsibilities often more than double, as the holidays approach. And as we plan our activities with family and friends, we often forget about our selves, and what we need to do - to be in the best state - during this very busy time.”

“At Academy Massage, we have experience working with many different types of policies, coverage requirements and amounts,” Debby said.

Certain policies require a physician’s prescription prior to treatment. An insurer may request a deductible be paid to them prior to treatment. For example, if 80% of your massage therapy treatment is covered by your insurance provider, you may be required to pay the remaining 20% upfront.

All plans are very different in their coverage, and it is important that you are aware of the details of your particular plan.

Currently Academy Massage offers direct billing for many insurance companies, including:

• Manitoba Blue Cross
• Chamber of Commerce Group
• Great West Life

“To find out if Academy Massage direct bills your insurance company, please call us to find out. We do have direct billing arrangement with many insurers,” Debby pointed out.
Please be aware that Academy Massage requires two business days prior to your massage appointment to create your profile for direct billing.

NOTE: NO DIRECT BILL FEES ARE ADDED

For your convenience, Academy Massage also provides the claim forms of a number of other insurance companies. You can print the appropriate form, fill it out and submit it to your provider for the appropriate refund.

The Co-operators
Coughlin
Green Shield
Group Medical Services
Industrial Alliance
Maximum Benefit
Manulife
Sirius

We look forward to helping you book your end of year massage therapy appointments. Book today, to ENSURE THAT YOUR PREFERRED TIMES ARE AVAILABLE FOR YOU!

Love,

Academy Massage Therapy

Try Tuesday or Wednesday mornings!for a consult massage therapy treatment

Sometimes our clients need a bit of extra time. To consult. To figure out a long term treatment plan.

The perfect time for a consult massage therapy treatment is on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings.

“Academy Massage Therapy can handle most any situation,” said owner, Debby MacKenzie. “Ours is a caring, effective and highly efficient schedule for our massage clients. And on Tuesdays and Wednesdays - in the mornings we find our usual pace is more relaxed.”

“The mornings of those two days of the week from about 9 am to 1 pm, just seem to have a different rhythm about them,” noted Debby.

“So if existing clients want to come in to talk about what’s going on - how their current massage regime is progressing. What’s working for them. And what massage directions might be enhanced. Those are the times best suited for a consult and a massage,” Debby explained.

Tuesday and Wednesday mornings are also a good time for brand new clients to book their appointments. For new clients, their areas of interest are likely for focus upon - what situation has brought them into Academy Massage, and what they would like to get out of the massage experience.

“Our massage therapists are well suited to explaining the benefits of massage, both as a one-off, and particularly through adherence to a strategic and ongoing schedule,” Debby added.

Want to find out about Tuesday and Wednesday morning appointment openings at Academy Massage Therapy? Please call us, and one of our helpful front desk staff will assist you.

We look forward to booking a consult and massage appointment for you!

See you soon.

Love,

Academy Massage Therapy

To talk or not to talk, that is the question

Many clients wonder if they should talk during their massage treatment. The answer is - it’s really totally up to you.

Here are some things to think about, when figuring out the best direction for you:

• at the beginning of a massage treatment, it is beneficial to close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. This will help put you in a relaxed frame of mind, to ensure you get the most out of the experience.

• some people choose to use their massage time to meditate, and forget about their worries. Other people even fall asleep during their treatment. For massage therapists this is a huge compliment!

• Certain types of massage, such as deep tissue massage and sports massage, require more feedback from you. This is because the massage therapist is working on deeper layers of muscle, and want to be certain the pressure that is being applied is not uncomfortable.

“Never feel obligated to talk or chat,” said Academy Massage Therapy owner, Debby MacKenzie. “Your massage is your time, and as your massage therapist it’s my job to make certain you are feeling really good during your treatment. That means, regarding talking - there’s no obligation one way or the other.”

“At the same time, we want our clients to realize that we encourage them to speak up. Our massage therapists want to know if a treatment is too intense. This is particularly important for clients who are receiving deep tissue or sports massage, to put into practice,” Debby added.

If you’re still a little unsure about whether chatting or napping is best for you, mention this quandary to our helpful staff at the reception desk when you check in for your appointment. They are certain to help put you at ease.

Look forward to seeing you at your next massage treatment at Academy Massage Therapy.

Yes, Virginia, there is a pumpkin smoothie

Pumpkins. In the autumn they’re every where, and in everything. At Dollarama there’re pumpkin decorations, knick knacks, and seasonal serving dishes. At Tall Grass Prairie Bread there’re pumpkin muffins, loaves, cheesecake and pies.

And for those of us who still need more pumpkin - there are also pumpkin smoothies!

Here are two smoothie recipes which while focusing on the pumpkin, also have what it takes to help out with your post massage hydration.

Refreshing water choices provide a lift to your spirit, as well as your body. Keeping hydrated is an important part of staying healthy. Water promotes cardiovascular health, maintains the body temperature, helps muscles and joints work better, and keeps skin supple.

Also remember to drink plenty of water, particularly after your massage! Drinking lots of water at this time will help flush out the toxins released during your massage, and rehydrate your muscles.

Pumpkin Pie Protein Smoothie

Ingredients
1 frozen banana
1/2 cup vanilla Greek yogurt1
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice2
1/2 cup skim milk3
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
2/3 cup pumpkin puree (canned or fresh)
1 cup ice

Directions
Make sure you have a strong, powerful blender.
Add all of the ingredients to the blender in the order listed. Blend on high for at least 3 minutes or until smooth - this may take longer depending upon the strength of your blender. Scrape down the sides of the blender, as needed.
Add more milk to thin out if it is too thick.
Add a couple more ice cubes, if desired
More spices work as well. It’s up to you.
Serve.

Enjoy!

Recipe notes
1. Feel free to use regular (none Greek) vanilla or plain yogurt instead - keeping in mind the protein count will be lower. The value of vanilla Greek yogurt, however, is not only its protein count, but also its incredible thick texture and vanilla taste.
2. Instead of pumpkin spice, try adding nutmeg, cloves, ginger and/or more cinnamon to taste.
3. Any milk is just fine here. However, be sure to adjust the protein content accordingly.

Yield: 2 smoothies, or 1 monster size smoothie

This delicious recipe was brought to you by Sally’s Baking Addiction.
https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2014/10/06/pumpkin-pie-protein-smoothie/print

Skinny Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

This refreshing smoothie tastes exactly like the traditional Thanksgiving dessert! Feel free to adjust the amount of spice to suit your taste. The recipe is easily doubled to serve more.

Ingredients
1/4 cup pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling)
1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons nonfat or light soy milk
1 teaspoon Truvia
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/16 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/16 teaspoon ground ginger
1 1/2 cups ice cubes

Directions
Add everything except the ice to the blender, and pulse until combined.
Add the ice, and blend until smooth.
Serve immediately.

Enjoy!

Recipe notes
• Any milk (1%, 2%, whole, almond, rice, etc.) may be used.
• Substitute your favourite sweetener, in place of Truvia.
• If not using a no-calorie sweetener, the nutritional information may change.

Yield: 1 smoothie

This super recipe was brought to you by Amy’s Healthy Baking.
https://amyshealthybaking.com/blog/2014/09/05/skinny-pumpkin-pie-smoothie