Registered Massage Therapy (RMT)
Play Video
How can a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) help you?
Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) are educated and trained to evaluate individual health needs, and provide active and passive techniques for patient care. RMTs provide an accurate assessment and differential diagnosis of specific soft tissue and musculoskeletal conditions. RMTS treat the muscular, nervous, and circulatory systems to improve patient health, An RMT treatment can help you by:
- Reducing or eliminating pain.
- Improving joint mobility.
- Improving circulation.
- Reducing tension within muscles.
- Improving the function of the immune system.
- Increasing lymphatic drainage.
- Reducing depression and anxiety.
- Increasing body awareness. (Registered Massage Therapists Association of BC)
Overview
A Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) or Massage Therapist (MT) are the professional designations for a person who has trained and completed competency-based education at educational institutions recognized by various Provincial Governments in Canada.
BC graduates of recognized Massage Therapy programs are individuals who have attend a two-year rigorous education program. To become an RMT in BC, students must complete extensive training at an educational program recognized by the College of Massage Therapists’ (The College) of BC.
Core curriculum of the educational program includes comprehensive studies in health sciences such as anatomy, physiology, pathology, kinesiology and neuro-anatomy. Other areas of study 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. (RMT Association of BC)
Once an RMT or MT has achieved that designation, it is maintained by the individual participating in continuing education and a Quality Assurance Program. Only members of The College are permitted to use the title, Massage Therapist or Registered Massage Therapist or the designation of RMT or MT. (Registered Massage Therapists Association of BC)
A Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) in British Columbia is a health professional regulated by CMTBC (College of Massage Therapists of BC) under BC’s Health Professions Act. Applicants for registration with CMTBC have completed post-secondary education in clinical applications of health sciences in Massage Therapy settings, and must meet CMTBC’s rigorous entry-level requirements.
RMTs are subject to:
- CMTBC’s Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.
- The requirements of the Health Professions Act and regulations made under the Act.
- Standards of professional conduct.
- CMTBC’s quality assurance program, which ensures ongoing professional currency and development.
Like all regulated health professionals, RMTs must practice within their professional scope of practice. For RMTs, this means providing primarily manual, hands-on treatment and assessment in accordance with the definition of “massage therapy” in the Massage Therapists Regulation.
Many modalities and treatments that may be considered acceptable in other jurisdictions are outside the scope of practice of Massage Therapy in British Columbia. CMTBC has posted specific guidance on yoga instruction and on using terms such as “specialize in” or “advanced” to describe one’s practice. (College of Massage Therapists of BC)
Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) in British Columbia are trained to: evaluate your health needs; provide an assessment of your specific soft tissue or musculoskeletal condition; predict the likelihood and/or timeline of your recovery; provide active (intense) or passive (gentle) hands on therapy; and through research, provide evidence-based patient education and remedial exercises.
In British Columbia, massage therapists are registered with the College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC) to provide massage therapy services. Most are also part of the Massage Therapists’ Association of British Columbia (MTABC)
Registered Massage Therapy may work well with
Registered Massage Therapy is commonly used to treat
Explore the Research
We believe you should have access to high-quality research to help you make informed health decisions. Below are four trusted databases you can use as tools to expand your healthcare knowledge.
