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What is Massage Therapy?

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Massage Therapy is the practice of hands-on manipulation of soft tissues of the body including muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments and joints. It is a clinically-oriented healthcare option that helps alleviate discomfort associated with every day occupational stresses, muscular over-use and many chronic pain conditions.

Massage therapy should only be provided by a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT). An RMT is a primary healthcare provider in Ontario and anyone may visit an RMT of their choice.
Massage therapy can be used as a treatment for both acute and chronic conditions. RMTs work with a wide variety of patients in the treatment of illness, injury rehabilitation and disability.

A Registered Massage Therapist uses touch, hands-on applications of different techniques to create different affects to muscles they are treating. Using a variety of modalities and techniques such as Fascial/Deep Tissue, Active Release, Cupping, Cranial Sacral, Reiki, Prenatal, stretching among many others, your RMT is able to customize your massage treatment to your specific needs. With the combination of modalities your massage can be therapeutic as well as relaxing to provide overall balance and relief. Not only can massage be used for physical ailments, it has also be known to provide ease and support to mental health including anxiety and depression by lowering the stress hormone cortisol and increasing your state of relaxation.


 

Benefits of Massage Therapy

Massage therapy can offer significant benefits for a wide range 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.
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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

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  • 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.

What is a Massage Therapist?

A Registered Massage Therapist is an individual who is registered with the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO) in accordance with the Regulated Health Professionals Act and the Massage Therapy Act. Only members of the CMTO are permitted to use the title of Registered Massage Therapist or Massage Therapist, or the designation of RMT or MT.
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A Registered Massage Therapist:

  • Is registered with the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO)

  • Has completed competency-based education at a recognized school of massage therapy

  • Has successfully completed examinations to ensure that they have the necessary competencies to safely and effectively offer massage therapy care

  • Maintains their registration by participating in continuing education and a quality assurance program to ensure they maintain their high professional standards and quality of care

 
The College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO) is the regulatory body for Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) in Ontario. They protect the public interest by ensuring the competency and quality of care provided by Massage Therapists. All RMTs in Ontario are required to be registered with the CMTO. Individuals who are not registered with the CMTO are not permitted to practice massage therapy in Ontario or call themselves Massage Therapists in Ontario.

Looking for more information? You can find this information & more from

our College (CMTO) and Association (RMTAO)

Feel free to check them out at: www.cmto.com & www.rmtao.com

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