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About Massage Therapy

What is Massage Therapy?

Massage therapy is the assessment and manual manipulation of soft tissues (muscle, connective tissue, tendons, and ligaments) to enhance a person’s health and well-being. There are dozens of massage therapy techniques – also called modalities.

Massage Therapists can help you with injury, chronic disease, pain management, impaired mobility, and common treatments to help relieve stress and maintain and promote well-being.

 

What is a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT)?

Massage therapy in Manitoba has been approved to be regulated under the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA). When that has been finalized, the titles of Registered Massage Therapist and Massage Therapist will be legally protected, ensuring that the professional you see has graduated from an approved school, maintains their professional competency, and adheres to the standards of practice set by the regulator.

 

Our massage therapists are highly qualified professionals who are passionate about their work. 

When you see this MTAM-exclusive insignia, you can rest assured that you are receiving massage therapy from a therapist who meets the nationally-accepted standards and qualifications of the profession. Don’t compromise your health care by going to just anyone. Always inquire about the education and qualifications of your practitioner.

What to Expect When You Visit an RMT

If you have never had a professional massage, here’s what to expect when visiting a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT):

  1. The RMT will ask you to complete a health history form and review it with you.
  2. The RMT will request any prescriptions you have from a medical doctor, which will guide the assessment of treatment.
  3. The RMT will discuss payment options with you.
  4. The RMT will ask you to describe any areas of pain or discomfort and perform basic tests to evaluate your range of motion and sensitivity.
  5. The RMT will ask you to sign consent forms before the treatment begins.
  6. The RMT will take you to a private treatment area and provide instructions on disrobing and preparing for the massage. You do not have to disrobe completely, and the RMT will advise you accordingly.
  7. You will be instructed on how to get on the massage table, and you will be draped at all times during your massage session.
  8.  Throughout the session, the RMT will only expose the area of the body being treated using professional draping practices. Communicate with the RMT during the treatment to identify areas of sensitivity or discomfort. If anything becomes intolerable, let the RMT know immediately.
  9. The RMT may use various massage techniques and oils but will adjust them according to any allergies or sensitivities you have.
  10. Once the session is over, the therapist will leave the room and you can take your time to get off the massage table and get dressed.
  11. When you are ready, your RMT will return to the treatment room to discuss home care recommendations and ongoing treatment plans with you. 
Infectious Disease Control

Ensuring the health and safety of clients, and themselves, is a priority for RMTs. This includes preventing the transmission of infectious diseases. RMTs are trained in the signs and symptoms and prevention of infectious diseases to help reduce the risk of transmission.

All MTAM RMTs are obligated to follow the Public Health Standards of Practice that ensure a safe environment.

Clean & Sanitize

  • Everything used in the treatment room by the therapist, or the client is cleaned and sanitized.
  • High touch surfaces are regularly cleaned and sanitized.
  • Linens, towels and pillows are changed and laundered between clients.

Hand Hygiene

  • RMTs wash their hands and forearms with soap and water before and after every treatment.
  • Clients have access to hand sanitizer and/or hand washing facilities while at their appointment.

PPE

  • Therapists and clients can wear masks as needed.
  • Therapists will wear gloves as needed.

Health Screening

  • Clients who are unwell are encouraged to contact their RMT before their appointment to see if they are able to attend, or if they need to be rescheduled. There are certain health conditions where receiving massage therapy treatment is not advised.
Routine Practices

The primary goal of Infection Prevention and Control is to reduce the risk of acquiring an infection to a minimum level; zero risk is not possible in every circumstance but should nevertheless be the ultimate goal.

Routine Practices are the foundation for preventing the transmission of microorganisms (germs) during a massage treatment. There is a comprehensive set of Infection Prevention and Control measures developed for use in the routine care of all people at all times in all treatment settings. Routine Practices aim to minimize or prevent infections in therapists and clients. Following Routine Practices reduces the transmission of microorganisms in all settings.

Consistent use of Routine Practices is expected for the care of clients. Germs can be transmitted from symptomatic and asymptomatic people. This is why it is so important to follow Routine Practices during and after a massage treatment.

Routine Practices include: hand washing and sanitizing, sanitizing high touch surfaces, laundering linens between clients, using masks, gloves and other personal protective equipment when necessary, and screening clients prior to, or at their appointment.

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