Massage Therapy
Massage Therapy
Massage Therapy is one of the most commonly used therapies for musculoskeletal issues. As a primary health practitioner, thorough assessment, treatment and follow-up is utilized to treat a whole range of injuries and illnesses. Registered Massage Therapists are regulated by the College of Massage Therapy of British Columbia to ensure the public receives safe and effective Massage Therapy treatments.
The Health Professions Act defines Massage Therapy as:
"massage therapy" is the health profession in which a person provides, for the purposes of developing, maintaining, rehabilitating or augmenting physical function, or relieving pain or promoting health, the services of
(a) assessment of soft tissue and joints of the body, and
(b) treatment and prevention of physical dysfunction, injury, pain and disorders of soft tissue and joints of the body by manipulation, mobilization and other manual methods.
[am. B.C. Reg. 58/2015, s. 1.]
So what is the difference between a Registered and non-Registered Massage Therapist?
Well technically, there is no such thing as a "non-registered Massage Therapist" in BC. You legally are not allowed to call yourself a "Massage Therapist" in BC if you are not registered. Massage Therapy is only regulated in BC, Ontario, Newfoundland & Labrador, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island (PEI). This means in those provinces, when you see an RMT, you know you are getting someone who went through extensive training and assessment to prove they can provide safe and effective massage therapy. To keep our registration we are required to do continuing education courses bi-annually, have insurance and maintain our first aid training. Think about it, you wouldn't go to someone who calls themselves a doctor or chiropractor if they weren't actually a doctor or chiropractor. You can have a relaxing massage from someone who isn't registered, but if you're looking for a therapeutic massage to help you with injuries and issues, it is important to know the difference.
Conditions Massage Therapy can help with:
Autoimmune Rheumatic Disorders
• Raynaurd’s Disease
• Systematic Lupus Erythematosus
Bursa, Muscle & Tendon Disorders
• Bursitis
• Fibromyalgia
• Muscle Cramps
• Tendinopathies (tendonosis)
• Contusions
• Muscle Tension/Spasm
• Sprains
• Strains
Foot and Ankle Disorders
• Medial Plantar Nerve Entrapment
• Metatarsalgia
• Plantar Fasciosis
Joint Disorders
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
• Osteoarthritis (OA)
Neck and Back Pain
• Sciatica
• Degenerative Disc Disease (slipped disc)
• Facet pain
• Whiplash and associated disorders
• Scoliosis
• Thoracic outlet syndrome
Hand Disorders
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Osteoarthritis of the Hand
• Dupuytrens’ Contracture
Respiratory care
• Asthma
• COPD
• Emphysema
Shoulder & Elbow Conditions
• Frozen Shoulder
• Golfers/tennis elbow (tendonopathy)
Headaches
• Tension
• Migraine
• TMJ dysfunction
Hip, Leg & Knee Disorders
• Illiotibial Band Impingement Syndrome
• Patellar Tracking Dysfunction
• Shin splints (compartment syndrome)
• Ligament tear
Psychological Disorders
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Cancer Care
• Post Mastectomy Care
• Nausea
• Pain
• Lymphoedema
Female Health
• Pregnancy (Pre and Post Care)
• Labour Care
• Pelvic Pain
Paediatrics
• Colic
• Infant massage
Neurological disorders
• Multiple sclerosis
• Spastic paralysis
• Stroke
• Parkinsons