What is Registered Massage Therapy?
Registered massage therapy is the hands-on manipulation of the body’s soft tissues such as muscles, ligaments, tendons and connective tissue. RMTs are trained to assess and treat a wide range of conditions and injuries. An RMT treatment can naturally help you alleviate anxiety, stress, and find relief from headaches, and other conditions, including sleep disorders. There are thousands of modalities (or techniques) that a Registered Massage Therapist can perform during treatment, from the relaxing Swedish massage to an intense deep tissue treatment that focuses on addressing inflammation, chronic pain, or severe injuries.
About Our Registered Massage Therapy (RMT)
Massage Therapists, also known as Manual Therapists, are licensed healthcare professionals whose primary objective is to facilitate healing. They specialize in rehabilitative modalities that target both chronic and acute pain, decreased strength and flexibility, and postural imbalances.
RMT Can Help With:
- Car accident injuries and Sports related injuries
- Sports rehabilitation
- TMJ (jaw disorders) and Headaches
- Sleeping disorders and Anxiety
- Chronic pain
- Pregnancy related problems
- Joint mobility issues & inflammation
Positive Effects of Massage:
- Whole body relaxation
- Loosening of tight muscles
- Relief of aches and pains
- Healthy circulation
- Increased range of motion
- The diminishing of chronic pain
- Lowered blood pressure & heart rate
- Strengthening of the immune system
- Lowering the frequency and duration of headaches
- Improved concentration and focus
- Reduced mental stress
- Restful sleep
- Recovery from surgery and severe injuries
Who Can Provide Massage Therapy?
Although there are many individuals practicing bodywork and massage, a Registered Massage Therapist is a rigorously trained and licensed health care professional with extensive knowledge of assessment, treatment, anatomy, and physiology.
The Therapists must complete an intense study program that comprises of over 2000 hours of instructions, often as many as 3000 hours, and over two years of full-time course work.
To gain their RMT certification, students must pass in-depth course work, a carefully observed practicum, and sit a board exam.
How do I know if someone is a Registered Therapist?
In BC, a registered massage therapist carries the designation of “RMT” beside their name and holds a current registration number with the College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia.
Registered Massage Therapy Modalities / Techniques
Deep Tissue Massage
In this modality, direct pressure is applied in slow strokes across the grain of the muscle. The RMT may use their fingers, thumbs, or elbows. The purpose of this type of massage is to release chronic pain, inflammation, and address injuries by working deeply into the connective tissue and muscles, reaching the fascia blow the muscle tissue.
Myofascial Release
The aim of this technique is to release pain and address skeletal immobility by stretching contracted muscles, relaxing them, and thus improving circulation in the problem area. After a thorough assessment, the therapist stretches the selected fascia, guided by the feedback they feel from the client’s body. This technique is quite different from Deep Tissue Massage and can feel very light. Clients who are used to deep tissue will notice this technique is quite different.
Muscle Energy Technique
The focus of this therapy is two fold. MET works to relax and lengthen muscles as well as to release locked joints. The therapist does this by using the client’s gentle muscle contractions and by manipulating body positioning.
Pregnancy Massage
Pregnancy is a very special time for everyone in the family. For the mother, it means adjusting to a lot of physiological and emotional changes. Registered massage therapy can help alleviate the aches and pains—such as sciatica and lower back pain—that often accompany these changes. Research has also found that getting regular RMT treatments during pregnancy can shorten the length of labour and help speed up the recovery process.
Additional Coverage
RMT & ICBC
This depends on your particular claim. Please ensure you understand your claim fully. Some only reimburse a small amount towards your treatment. Please note most massage therapists do not bill ICBC directly. This means that you will pay the full amount at your treatment time and will need to provide ICBC with the receipt for reimbursement.
Massage Therapy & Extended Health Insurance
Because of the extensive knowledge and training RMTs undergo and the proven effectiveness of registered massage therapy treatments, a session with a therapist is often covered by extended health plans.
However, every insurance plan is unique and tailored to the needs of company employees. Please be sure you check your extended health benefits booklet, speak with your human resources contact, or look up your plan in your online account, to understand how many sessions and what amount is covered under your plan.
Please note most therapists do not bill extended health insurance plans directly. This means that to be reimbursed, you will have to send your receipt to your insurance company, and they will reimburse you.
