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 everyday occupational stresses, muscular over-use, and many chronic pain conditions.

Massage therapy treatment has a therapeutic effect on the body and optimizes health and well-being by acting on the muscular, nervous and circulatory systems. Physical function can be developed, maintained and improved; and physical dysfunction and pain and the effects of stress can be relieved or prevented through the use of Massage Therapy.

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.

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:

  • Anxiety and Depression
  • Arthritis
  • Asthma and Emphysema
  • Cancer
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  • Dislocations
  • Edema
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Headaches
  • Inflammatory Conditions
  • Insomnia
  • Lymphoedema
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Whiplash

  • Muscle Tension and Spasm
  • Parkinson’s Disease
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Pregnancy and Labor Support
  • Sciatica
  • Scoliosis
  • Sports Injuries
  • Strains and Sprains
  • Stress and Stress-Related Conditions
  • Stroke
  • Tendinitis

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.

What to expect at your first appointment.

On the first visit you will complete a confidential health history as part of your assessment. Your massage therapist will assess your individual needs as well as other factors that may be contributing to your injury or condition. The RMT will develop a treatment plan with you to ensure you receive appropriate treatment. The treatment plan can be changed at any time and will be reassessed at an appropriate time. You have no obligation to undergo any part of a treatment. Your treatment will begin once you have given your informed consent. This involves setting realistic goals for treatment, discussing possible responses to treatment, and being informed of alternative care options.