FAQs

Cancellation Policy/Inclement Weather Policy

Cancellation Policy

Our appointments are confirmed 48 hours in advance via email because we know how easy it is to forget an appointment you booked days or weeks ago. Please understand, however, that it is your responsibility to remember your appointment dates and times to avoid late arrivals, and missed appointments.

Since the services are reserved for you personally, a Cancellation fee will apply.

As a courtesy to our team and other clients, please allow 24 hours notice for cancellations and rescheduling requests. Cancellations/Rescheduling requests that occur less than 24 hours before the scheduled appointment are subject to a fee equal to 50% of the full treatment cost. Cancellations/Rescheduling request received after 8 am on the same business day and “No Shows” are subject to a fee equal to the full treatment cost. Fee will be charged to the credit card on file, or via invoice, and must be paid prior to booking future appointments.

Appointments using Daily deal certificates, such as Groupon or Living Social will be considered redeemed if notice is not received 24 hours prior to the appointment time.
While we leave some buffer time, late arrival may shorten your treatment time. Arrival 20 minutes or more after your treatment time will be considered a “No Show” and the cancellation fee will apply.

Cancellations/Rescheduling request may be submitted via email, voicemail, or text message, if you are unable to reach us by phone.

Inclement Weather Policy

CIC’s standard policy is that appointments canceled with less than 24-hours notice incur a cancellation fee. During the winter months, we are willing to make an exception to that rule. If the Denver metro area is under a winter weather advisory and you believe that it would be unsafe or impossible for you to travel to your appointment, you may reschedule within the 24-hour window at no charge.

In general, during bad weather, our clients will cancel before we do. However, in the event of winter weather, CIC may opt to close the office if school districts in the area are closing or we feel the weather is an imminent threat. We leave the decision up to the individual therapist as to what feels safe, so if in doubt, check with your therapist.

Why do many massage businesses and spas offer 50 or 80 minute sessions, while you offer 60 or 90 minute sessions?

The standard for many years was the 60 and 90-minute massage. Most therapists allowed 15 minutes between sessions, but this left sessions starting at odd times.

Many places have gone to 50 and 80-minute massages to allow them to start on the hour and half hour. It also allows them to book session after session for the often overworked therapists. The only winners in this scenario are the owners. If you are getting a massage once per month, you are losing a total of 2 hours of massage time every year (not to mention the time you spend talking with the therapist and changing your clothes), and the therapists get 10 minutes or less to change sheets, sanitize the room, and take care of necessary personal issues, like washing hands, bathroom breaks, and eating.

At Colorado Injury Care, we are working owners and massage consumers ourselves, so we treat you and our therapists the way we want to be treated. We believe that it is equally important to take care of our clients and ourselves. We allow a full 30 minutes between every session. You receive the full value of the time you paid for, giving us the full time to adequately address your goals, and allowing you time to undress and dress without losing time. We get ample time to talk with you beforehand, take a mental (and bathroom) break afterward, and reset the room.

What can I expect at my first massage session?

On your first visit, we ask you to fill out a brief health history intake form. We are in the process of putting these online to speed up the process of getting you on the table and relaxing, but we are required by new state laws to keep records of those we touch, and the information is necessary for us to make an informed assessment.

Once this is done, your therapist will begin by talking with you and reviewing your answers on the form, to determine what your goals for the massage are, what types of injuries, repetitive movements, and stresses your body is typically exposed to, and what type of massage is appropriate.

Your therapist will step out of the room for a few moments, to allow you time to undress and get comfortable on the table. They will knock to confirm that you are ready, and then they will come in and begin the massage.

Why should I get a massage?

Massage creates space, opens and relaxes muscles, increases circulation, improves range of motion, strengthens the immune system, and can reduce your chances of injury when you are active or exercising. It is effective for a wide number of common issues from headaches, to sprain/strain injuries, to plantar fasciitis.

Many people get a massage to take a little quiet time for themselves and order their week or their life. For some it is the only time the phone doesn’t ring.

Receiving massage therapy on a regular basis can help you be more relaxed and focused, allowing you to make better decisions, be more relaxed with your family, and maintain control of your life.  More and more people are finding that the more they get massage, the better their life is. Many people start out thinking massage is a luxury and find out that it is a necessity.

When shouldn’t I get a massage?

There are several medical conditions that can make massage inappropriate for you. For selfish reasons, if you are infectious or contagious, please don’t give it to us. Acute inflammation, skin diseases, recent operations (without your doctor’s consent), or pregnancy in the first trimester are all contraindications.

It is very important to make sure your therapist is aware of all medical conditions, recent injuries or surgeries, and any medications you may be taking. If you are under medical care for a specific condition, it is strongly advised to ask your physician prior to receiving a massage.

If in doubt, give us a call, or see the chart at the bottom of the FAQ’s for more specific information.

What type of massage is best for me?

We get asked that a lot mostly because other practices charge different rates for different types of massage.  We don’t do that, when we find you need deep tissue, that is what we do, if you need a lighter touch that day, we give you that.  If you need more advanced work, we give you that.  If one style or technique is uncomfortable, or isn’t working, we will try a different one, until we find what works. We call it an integrative approach and we think it is less confusing to you and gives you a more thorough, complete massage.

Some of our therapists can do specific techniques like Thai massage, Shiatsu, or Cranial Sacral. If you have questions about a specific technique, please feel free to call or email them directly.

What do I wear during my massage?

This is probably the most frequently asked question. In our office, we ask that you undress to your comfort level. You won’t relax if you are worried about what is exposed. The only thing we insist you take off is your shoes; everything else is up to you.

While you are on the massage table, you will be covered by a sheet and blanket, except for the body part we are currently working on (i.e. arm, leg, back). If you like the long, slow effleurage strokes, you will want to undress as much as possible, but we do have techniques that can be used through clothing. Regardless of how much you choose to take off, you will always be draped for your privacy and comfort level.

Many people are surprised that if they open their eyes during their massage to look at us that we have our eyes closed. That is because we have developed ‘ eyes in our fingers’ so for the most part we aren’t looking at you either.

Can I talk during my massage?

Of course, feedback about pressure and comfort are always welcome. Whether you talk during your session or not is entirely up to you.

As therapists, we try to follow your lead. Most people prefer not to talk during their session, in which case, we will occasionally ask a question about pressure or your comfort level, but we will otherwise leave you alone to be in your space. Some people find that talking during their session is therapeutic in itself, and that is fine, too. Generally we let you lead the conversation, because it lets you be comfortable and we love hearing about vacations, family success, and the like.

If we are doing particularly deep work, we will occasionally talk to you to keep you engaged in the process.

What if I am ticklish?

In school the learning phrase was “Under the tickle is the pain.” A tickle response is frequently a defense mechanism for an underlying pain issue (If it tickles, you don’t get touched there, and it won’t hurt). A firm, confident touch takes away most ticklish situations, which allows us to resolve the underlying problem, sometimes reducing or eliminating it altogether.

What if I am uncomfortable during my massage?

Many times, people are hesitant to speak up is something is uncomfortable during their session. Please, if the room is too hot or cold, the headrest doesn’t feel right, you hate flute music, or the pressure is too much or too little; please don’t hesitate to tell us. We want your experience to be as comfortable and relaxing as possible. We are experts at massage, but the only expert on you is you. We will always appreciate your requests and feedback. If it is the therapist that made you uncomfortable, please tell John or Sherry. Your comfort is one of the reasons we have an A+ rating with the BBB.

How long do the effects of a massage last?

That is a difficult question because everyone is different and because pain is a symptom, and just because the symptom went away doesn’t mean the root cause went away. You need to be the judge, we can only ‘feel your pain’ when you are on the table.

Some people will feel sore on the first or second day after the massage. In general, you will see the maximum improvement within the first three days. This effect can last for a day or two, up to a couple of weeks, depending on your health and lifestyle.

How often should I come in?

One day we got a call, “My massage wore off, I need to come in”. Different people have different stress points in their life and need a massage at different times.

If you are receiving a massage for a specific injury or chronic pain problem, you will usually get the best results if you are getting a massage every week, until you reach your goal.

If you are receiving massage for maintenance, prevention, or stress relief, we suggest finding the frequency that best fits your body and your budget. If you start to notice symptoms after three weeks, then twice a month would be better than once a month. Since the effects are cumulative, you want to catch the problem before it comes back, if you can. If finances are the concern a half-hour of focused massage is better than waiting.

Should I tip?

We believe that tipping is something that should be a spontaneous appreciation for a job well done. Whether you choose to tip or not is up to you, and only you.

Our industry is currently very split on this. In a medical setting, we typically do not receive tips, just as you would not tip your Doctor or Chiropractor. In a spa setting, tips are common, and almost expected. Some massage clinics and spas use tips as a way to not pay their therapists a living wage and put the burden on the consumer to fill in the wage gap.

As a Clinic of independent therapists, we have all worked in both of those environments. Some of our clients tip and some do not. Tips are always welcome but never expected.

At Colorado Injury Care, we will treat you with respect, appreciate your business, and treat you with the same great service whether you choose to tip or not. The best tips are always a re-booking, your awesome reviews on our website, and your referrals of our company to your friends and family.

How to Know When Not to Get a Massage

1. Total Contraindications

If you have any of the following conditions, please DO NOT book a massage: Fever, autoimmune diseases during a flare-up, recent operations or acute injuries, neuritis, skin diseases, any illness that may be contagious.

2. Local Contraindications

Some conditions can still be okay with massage, but the therapist may need to avoid the area, or work differently with it. This includes things like: Varicose veins, undiagnosed lumps, Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis, IBS, open wounds or sores, thyroid issues, or ulcers.

3. Medical Contraindications

This can include things like: Cardio-vascular conditions (thrombosis, phlebitis, hypertension, heart disease), Edema, Osteoporosis, Cancer, Nervous or Psychotic conditions, Pacemakers, Diabetes, Rheumatoid Arthritis,  and Hemophilia. Many of these can be worked with, but we highly recommend getting a written release from your doctor prior to getting any work done.