A Massage Therapist is a regulated health professional in Ontario. In order to become a Massage Therapist, an individual has to complete 2 – 3 years of a diploma program from an educational institution that's recognized by the Government of Ontario. Studies include anatomy, physiology, pathology, physical assessment, neurology, remedial exercises, practical treatments, ethics and home care advises.
After graduating from an institution, the individual has to pass both a written and practical examinations from the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario. Then the individual registers with the College in accordance with the Regulated Health Professions Act and the Massage Therapy Act. Registered Massage Therapists maintain their registration by participating in continuing education and a Quality Assurance Program that assists them to provide high professional standards and quality care for their clients.
Only the registered members of the College are allowed to use the title, Massage Therapist or Registered Massage Therapist of the designation of MT or RMT.
Massage Therapy: Scope of Practice
The practice of massage therapy is the assessment of the soft tissue and joints of the body and the treatment and prevention of physical dysfunction and pain of the soft tissue and joints by manipulation to develop, maintain, rehabilitate or augment physical function, or relieve pain. (Massage Therapy Act, 1991)
What is involved within a treatment time?
In order to treat you better, the treatment time includes the following components:
- Health History intake/ Interview
- Initial assessment or re-assessment
- Discuss what/ how/ where to treat
- Treatment
- Home care advice/ Recommend exercises
- Documentation of the treatment
As a health professional, a Massage Therapist needs to know the complete medical history of a patient and how and what gave the discomfort a person feels at the moment. According to their findings, the Massage Therapist develops a treatment plan or a short-term or a long-term goal for the client. Also at this time, the Massage Therapist can figure out whether it is appropriate to use a certain technique or not. There are situations where massage therapy treatments need to be modified based on each client's condition at that moment.
Usually after the treatment, a massage therapist will recommend some remedial exercises that can be done at home to prolong the effect of the treatment received. Recovery time will depend on whether a patient follows the recommendation or not.
Documenting the treatment and a person's progress is a mandatory component of the treatment. It is included not only in the fee but also in the time allocated for the visit. Other components included in this portion of a person's visit are making an appointment for the following treatment and preparing invoices and receipts for payment.
People often misunderstand or confuse the role of massage therapist as that of masseuse. A massage therapist is a regulated health profession, while the other is not. As a regulated health professional with the Ontario government, a massage therapist must follow very strict Standards of Practice established by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario.
Through the development and use of the Standards of Practice, the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario continues to display its commitment to the protection of the public, serving its members, and promoting the highest possible quality of massage therapy practice in a safe and ethical manner.
There are 23 Regulated Health Care Professions in Ontario:
Colleges Legislated under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991
College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO)
College of Chiropodists of Ontario
College of Chiropractors of Ontario
College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario
Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario
College of Dental Technologists of Ontario
College of Denturists of Ontario
College of Dietitians of Ontario
College of Massage Therapists of Ontario
College of Medical Laboratory Technologists of Ontario
College of Medical Radiation Technologists
College of Midwives of Ontario
College of Nurses of Ontario
College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario
College of Opticians of Ontario
College of Optometrists of Ontario
Ontario College of Pharmacists
College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario
College of Physiotherapists of Ontario
College of Psychologists of Ontario
College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario
Transitional Councils Legislated under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991
Transitional Council of the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario
Legislated under the Drugless Practitioners Act
Board of Directors of Drugless Therapy – Naturopathy
