What is a Registered 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.

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.

What is Massage Therapy?

Massage therapy is the manipulation of soft tissues of the body including muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments and joints. Massage therapy is a clinically-oriented healthcare option that helps alleviate the 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.

The services of an RMT are not covered under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP); however, many extended health benefit plans will cover all or part of the services provided by an RMT. A referral or prescription is not required to visit an RMT, although some insurance companies may require this. Massage therapy treatments may also be reimbursed by automobile insurance companies, if the client was in a motor vehicle accident, or in the case of workplace injuries, by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB).

Benefits of Massage Therapy

Massage therapy treatments provided by a Registered Massage Therapist can offer significant benefits for a variety 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.

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:

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.