5 Things You Didn’t Know About the Massage Therapy Profession!

1. Massage Therapy is a regulated health profession in New Brunswick!

There are several reasons why this is important:

Client Safety

• Having Provincial legislation governing the massage therapy profession ensures client safety. Since legislation passed, all new massage therapy graduates are required to pass a vigorous exam to ensure that they are safe to treat clients. They must exhibit extensive knowledge and client care. This ensures that you can relax and know that you are in good hands 😊

The Massage Therapy Governing Body is an Advocate for you!

• The College of Massage Therapists is there for you if you have any questions or concerns regarding expectations and standards of practice. They look out for you!

Continuing Education is Required

• You can rest assured that your RMT is fresh and up to date in their education. Registered Massage Therapists must complete a significant amount of education hours every three years to ensure that they stay current and up to date on industry standards.

2. Massage Therapy Treatments can be used as a Tax Deduction!

Whereas registered massage therapy is a regulated health profession in the Province of New Brunswick, any out-of-pocket expenses can be used as a medical deduction on your income tax. Hold onto those receipts and they may come in handy at tax time!

3. Registered Massage Therapists cannot offer discounts!

Clients often ask if we offer a discount when they refer their friends and family members. While we absolutely appreciate the referral, our governing guidelines prohibit us from offering a discount for health services. Most health care professions have this policy in place to prevent the risk of insurance fraud. We often bill health insurance companies for these health services. It would be fraudulent to charge clients with insurance more but offer a discount to those without coverage. This policy prevents that from happening. Although disappointing, we hope you understand.

4. Massage Therapists are required to have you fill out a health history form on a yearly basis!

We have heard your complaints…This form is too long!…Why do you even need to know this information?…You have my form that I filled out initially. Why do I have to do it again?

While we understand that filling out forms can be tedious, it is very important. This form helps your massage therapist treat you in the safest and most effective way possible. Although some of the questions might seem irrelevant to you, there is a legitimate reason why each question is on there.

Medications – Your massage therapist needs to know what medications you are on for a few different reasons:

• Massage therapy may interact with a medication and cause harm to you as the client. For example, pain relievers may cause your pain receptors to be dulled and allow us to apply more pressure than needed. This can cause further harm to the muscle/joints. Another example is a medication that may cause you to have an increased risk of bleeding. This presents a concern since with the application of pressure, there is a risk of bruising or internal bleeding.
• Your massage therapist needs to know that health conditions that are noted on your form are well controlled with medication. For example, high blood pressure is a concern if untreated. Massage therapy increases blood circulation and therefore can increase blood pressure. Having a list of medications help us to see the bigger picture and know whether or not it is safe for you to receive treatment.

Surgeries must be noted for several reason. Some may include:

• Joint repair – It is important that your massage therapist is aware since certain mobilizations can cause harm to surgically repaired joints.
• Facial restriction from scarring can cause limitations in movement and discomfort that we can help treat.

Health Conditions

• You may not understand why your massage therapist needs to know about things such as your heart condition or your sleep habits. These are all questions that help us know how to treat you in the safest and most effective way possible. You don’t understand it, but we do!

You will be asked to update this information yearly since your reason for coming can be very different from year to year. Your health conditions and medications may also change during this time. Plus, please be kind…it’s a requirement in order for your massage therapist to do their job!

5. Registered Massage Therapists do so much more than give a good back rub!

Your massage therapist is trained to assist you in your healing journey from an acute injury, through to the final rehabilitative stage. They are well trained in assessment skills that help determine the cause of your discomfort. While they are unable to diagnose an injury or condition, your massage therapist can assess the signs and symptoms. Through the use of assessment skills, they can formulate a treatment plan that is tailored to the condition. This treatment plan is adapted through the different stages of healing and incorporates appropriate home exercises for each stage of injury.

Hopefully these facts give you a deeper look at massage therapy as a health profession and why you can trust our registered massage therapists with your soft tissue injuries and well being!