Massage therapy in BC has been a regulated health care profession since 1946 and is legislated by the government under the BC. Health Profession Act. In 2001, the Health Professions Council (HPC) accepted a revised scope of practice definition proposed by the College of Massage Therapists of BC (CMTBC), the professions regulatory body. The proposed definition reads:

The practice of massage therapy is the assessment of soft tissue and joints of the body and the treatment and prevention of dysfunction, injury, pain and physical disorders of the soft tissues and joints by manual and physical methods to develop, maintain, rehabilitate or augment.

*for more information on the CMTBC please visit their website at www.cmtbc.bc.ca.

BC’s Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) are among the most educated and highly trained professionals in their field. To become an RMT in BC students must complete extensive training at an accredited college.
Standard educational requirements include comprehensive studies in health sciences such as anatomy, physiology, pathology, kinesiology and neuroanatomy. Other studies include clinical sciences such as manual skills, orthopedics, remedial exercise, hydrotherapy and patient education. The management of chronic diseases, injuries and the effects of long-term stress are also studied extensively.

RMTs in BC are trained in:

• The assessment and diagnosis of soft tissue and joints of the body
• The treatment and prevention of injury, pain and physical disorders

RMTs are dedicated to treating your symptoms of pain and dysfunction, including the underlying causes.

It is widely understood that massage therapy decreases stress and helps control pain. Perhaps less known is the effectiveness of massage therapy in treating deeper structures of the body such as ligaments, bones and joints, fascia, blood vessels, organs and other soft tissues of the body. Massage therapy can provide relief for many common conditions such as:

A significant rise in massage therapy use in BC can be attributed to:

• higher educational standards
• extensive research studies proving the efficacy of massage therapy
• an overall increase in public interest in non-surgical and drug-free treatment options

Current research suggests that there is a direct link between our physical well-being and our mental or emotional state, which can be positively affected by massage therapy. Research also supports the use of massage therapy as an effective approach in injury management and rehabilitation, as well as part of a preventive care program.

*** A common misconception is that massage therapists provide only “hands on” therapy. Your RMT is trained in rehabilitative exercise such as hydrotherapy, stretching, strengthening, and postural exercises. Your RMT is committed to providing the very best in one-on-one patient care ***

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