frequently asked questions

great question. here at effort & ease, neurofunctional rehab is a registered massage therapy treatment that incorporates and combines electroacupuncture, percussion techniques, exercise, and relaxation to return the body to its most optimal state. 

by identifying the root cause of dysfunction, we are able to directly and/or indirectly stimulate the peripheral nervous system to affect significant change in the function of the body. 

these techniques can allow us to bypass certain guarding patterns causing stagnation in your progress toward your health goals by stimulating inhibited pathways in your nervous system and directly influencing the nerves responsible for symptoms in muscles, joints, and organs. 

these inhibitions can manifest as injuries, difficulty building strength and coordination, digestive issues, headaches, and neuropathic pain, among a myriad of other things. 

simply put, this treatment style will accelerate your healing, increase your mobility, and help you to find the missing pieces in the puzzle that is your functional health.

we do not offer couples massages at this time.

we are located on the main floor of the Georgian centre, and the building has an accessible parking space and a ramp the wraps from the parking lot to the front door. unfortunately, we do not have automatic doors, so while we can accommodate wheelchair users, they still may require some assistance to enter the building. if you are a wheelchair user, please let us know before your appointment so that we can get the door for you when you arrive. 

please note that stuart's online booking has a rolling availability for one month. this means you will be able to see four weeks in advance at any given time. we will still utilize our waitlist, and you will be notified automatically through our online system when appointments become available if you are on the list.

traditional chinese medicine (or TCM) is a complete and holistic system backed by thousands of years of history and practice. its philosophy and practices intend to restore people to a state of harmony and balance. traditional chinese medicine views people as an extension of the natural world, and a microcosm of the universe. external forces, seasons and climates, and our own emotions can all have significant impact on our overall health. 

in TCM, injury, illness, disease and dysfunction can be caused or worsened by a blockage of the flow of Qi (energy) and an imbalance of yin & yang. with this understanding, we will look at the big picture of your health - including but not limited to your sleep, appetite, bowel movements, and emotions. this allows us to address the root cause of discomfort and dysfunction, which in turn helps reduce symptoms and can prevent future issues from arising.

TCM uses several modalities to guide the body toward healing. we primarily use acupuncture, cupping, gua sha, moxibustion, and herbal medicine. 

in this modality, cups are applied to the skin and use suction (created either by vacuum or by fire) to disperse any stagnation that may be causing pain. it can also increase blood flow, aid in lymphatic drainage, break up congested fluids, and has been used to benefit digestion and lung conditions.

cupping is not only a treatment tool, but can be used as a diagnostic tool as well. the colour of the marks left behind on the skin can be an indicator for the level and type of stagnation happening within. 

gua sha is a round edged tool that is scraped along the skin in short fast strokes to elicit "sha" (small red or dark marks). similar to cupping, the marks left behind can be used as a diagnostic tool when identifying blockages. 

facial gua sha has become popular in recent years due to its beautifying effects when applied gently. when applied to the body, it is done with more pressure than when applied to the face.

gua sha helps to restore balance by increasing circulation and decreasing inflammation.

acupuncture can be a part of any and all neurofunctional rehab and traditional chinese medicine treatments, and is billed as massage therapy when administered by stuart, and is billed as acupuncture when administered by sue. there is no separate or additional charge for acupuncture.

no. nerve stimulation can be achieved without the use of needles. all of our offerings are subject to the consent of the patient. consent can be revoked at any time during the treatment, even if you originally were open to receiving acupuncture. 

the needles used for acupuncture are especially tiny, like a strand of hair. but if you are still not comfortable receiving acupuncture, there are many other ways to achieve results and get you feeling and functioning more optimally.

our primary goal is to get you results. however, we are happy to offer blissful general swedish and deep tissue massage. just let us know when you arrive that you'd prefer a wellness relaxation massage, and we will deliver.

this depends on the treatment and your needs. 

for most neurofunctional rehab and massage therapy treatments, patients tend to prefer to wear as little as they are comfortable with in order to allow for optimal access to the target area(s). we use draping with sheets to keep you covered and comfortable.

for athletic performance oriented treatments, sportswear and unrestrictive clothing is ideal. 

for traditional chinese medicine appointments, please wear unrestrictive and comfortable clothing. you may need to remove articles of clothing to allow for access for cupping/acupuncture/gua sha, and this is to your discretion and comfort level.

your first appointment will include an assessment before your treatment begins. we will go over your health history, your reason for visiting, and your goals so we can meet your needs as effectively as possible. please note that the initial assessment is included in the appointment time. we are mindful of this and you will still be treated with efficiency and care, making the most of the actual treatment time. 

you may notice our intake forms are quite detailed and in depth. please try to fill these out as thoroughly as possible before your first visit so we can spend as much time addressing your needs a possible within your scheduled time.

we use clinical grade percussion massage devices by HyperIce. you may have heard them referred to as thumpers, theraguns, or massage guns. they are exceptionally effective in changing muscle resting tension and enhancing mobility changes when paired with static and dynamic stretching. 

TCM can help guide your body into its ideal physiological functioning which is key to improving fertility outcomes. it also works well when combined with other fertility treatments, like IUI and IVF.

There are many factors involved in optimizing fertility, including but not limited to:

hormonal balance, diet, lifestyle, stress, and sleep. these are all important to consider and can be improved with the knowledge and application of TCM.

acupuncture stimulates the nervous system which can help:

- stabilize hormonal fluctuations, which can regulate fertility hormones

- support digestion for better nutrient absorption 

- improve circulation to reproductive organs

- regulate ovulation, and address menstrual issues

- relieve stress and anxiety

fertility can be such a complex process, and much like other issues our bodies may face, it's sometimes like a puzzle. TCM can be a fantastic support in your fertility journey as it addresses some of the root causes of dysfunction in the body. the path to supporting fertility through TCM is not always direct or linear, but hopefully we have been able to shine a light on how we can influence the body and the nervous system to guide your body towards healing as it pertains to your fertility journey. 

yes!

there are no upper or lower age limits to who we will treat. children can benefit greatly from massage therapy for digestive issues, joint function, and muscular aches and pains. 

if you are unable to secure childcare during your own appointment, you are welcome to bring your children with you into the treatment room. please note that the georgian centre is a collective shared building and noise may be disruptive to other treatments in progress.  please keep this in mind when bringing children into your treatment with you. we will have a small selection of things to keep your child occupied if needed, but we recommend bringing your most effective entertainment options from home. 

not at this time. you will be provided with a receipt containing all the information needed to submit to your insurance company. we hope to provide direct billing in the future. 

when submitting your receipts to your insurance company, appointments with stu and tori are billed as massage therapy. appointments with sue are billed as acupuncture/traditional chinese medicine.

if you have to cancel, we ask that you do so 24 hours in advance. appointments cancelled after this time will be charged 50% of the service fee.

no shows will be charged in full. 

we know that extenuating circumstances happen. please give us a call to inform us of any emergencies that may conflict with your appointment time.

please send us an email or give us a call. our website is a work in progress and we are eager to help and to answer any questions that come our way.