What is Massage Therapy?
Massage therapy is a comprehensive intervention involving a range of techniques to manipulate the soft tissues and joints of the body. The purpose of massage therapy is to prevent, develop, maintain, rehabilitate or augment physical function or relieve pain (Massage Therapy Act, 1991). It is a clinically-oriented health option that achieves undeniable results in the relief of an array of discomforts stemming from stress, muscular overuse and many chronic pain syndromes. Our registered massage therapists can help you today!
Whether you have back pain, tight muscles or a lot of day to day stress, massage therapy can help you! Massage Therapy is one of the oldest forms of therapy. It involves pressing and kneading different areas of the body to relieve pain, relax, stimulate, and tone the body. Massage works on the soft tissues (the muscles, tendons, fascia and ligaments) to improve muscle tone. Massage stimulates blood circulation and assists the lymphatic system, improving the elimination of toxins and waste throughout the body.
What is a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT)?
A Registered Massage Therapist is an individual who has:
- Completed competency-based education at educational institutions recognized by the Government of Ontario;
- Studied anatomy, physiology, pathology, physical assessment, neurology, treatments, ethics and other subjects;
- Completed a minimum of 150 clinical hours;
- Successfully completed examinations from and have been “registered” by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario(the College) in accordance with the Regulated Health Professions Act and the Massage Therapy Act;
- Maintained their registration by participating in continuing education and a Quality Assurance Program that assists them in the maintenance of high professional standards and quality care of their clients.
Benefits of Massage Therapy
Massage therapy treatments provided by a Registered Massage Therapist can offer significant benefits for a variety of conditions and for diverse patient populations. Whether you need to have a moment of relaxation, reduce muscle tension or attain relief from chronic pain, massage therapy can enhance your overall well-being. Massage therapy can help alleviate musculoskeletal disorders associated with everyday stress, muscular overuse, physical manifestation of mental distress and many persistent pain syndromes.
Massage therapy can be an important part of your health maintenance plan by:
- Reducing or eliminating pain
- Improving joint mobility
- Improving lymphatic drainage
- Reducing muscular tension
Massage therapy can treat both acute and chronic conditions. RMTs work with a wide variety of patients in the treatment of illness, injury, rehabilitation and disability.
Massage therapy can prove beneficial to many conditions, including but not limited to the following:
- Anxiety and Depression
- Arthritis
- Asthma and Emphysema
- Cancer
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Dislocations
- Edema
- Fibromyalgia
- Headaches
- Inflammatory Conditions
- Insomnia
- Lymphoedema
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Muscle Tension and Spasm
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Pregnancy and Labor Support
- Sciatica
- Scoliosis
- Sports Injuries
- Strains and Sprains
- Stress and Stress-Related Conditions
- Stroke
- Tendinitis
- Whiplash
Massage therapy can also be used as part of a preventative care program. This includes sports training, injury prevention, ongoing stress management and more!
Your massage therapist will require an overall picture of your current health and a detailed health history in order to design a treatment plan that’s right for you. If a massage therapist determines that your condition would be better treated by another healthcare professional, they will make the appropriate referral.
Massage Techniques Provided by our Registered Massage Therapists:
- Acute care and injury rehabilitation massage
- Swedish & Hot Stone Massage
- Tui Na & Reflexology
- Foot massage
- Pregnancy massage
- Deep Tissue massage
- Myofascial release
- Trigger Point Therapy
- Hydrotherapy & Joint Play
- Manual lymphatic drainage
- Remedial Exercise
Massage Therapy Services and Fees
The Registered Massage Therapists’ Association of Ontario (RMTAO) has published a guideline to assist individuals who seek massage therapy treatments in understanding the fee structure as well as the legal and professional practice requirements with which massage therapists must comply.
Please note that Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) set their own fees and those fees are not regulated. Many extended health benefits plans cover massage therapy services.
Source: Registered Massage Therapist Association of Ontario
The regulating body for the profession is the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario and the Ontario Massage Therapists Association represents therapists.
