registered massage therapy

Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) in British Columbia are healthcare professionals committed to restoring and maintaining optimal health for their patients. They are educated to assess and treat using techniques such as manual therapy, joint mobilization, hydrotherapy, rehabilitative exercise and patient education. RMT's in BC are regulated under BC’s Health Professions Act and are subject to:

a) CMTBC’s Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. (College of Complimentary Health Care Professionals)
b) The requirements of the Health Professions Act and regulations made under the Act.
c) Standards of professional conduct.
d) 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.

• Massage Therapy provides, for the purposes of developing, maintaining, rehabilitating or augmenting physical function, or relieving pain or promoting health, the services of

  a) assessment of soft tissue and joints of the body, and
  b) treatment and prevention of physical dysfunction, injury, pain and disorders of soft tissue and joints of the body by manipulation, mobilization and other manual methods.

  • A registered massage therapy treatment includes:

    • a review of your health history

    • movement/range of motion assessments, palpation & orthopedic assessments (as indicated)

    • co-creating a treatment plan with your goals for care (review for return visits)

    • review and consent of the proposed treatment and treatment plan

    • hands-on massage -manual therapy

    • patient education, remedial home care

The biopsychosocial model in manual therapy plays a crucial role in understanding and treating pain and discomfort from a comprehensive perspective.

• This approach emphasizes that biological factors, emotional well-being, and social environments all contribute to an individual’s health and well-being. In the context of manual therapy, therapists consider how the interaction of these three aspects affects pain perception and recovery processes.

• Acknowledging the biopsychosocial model allows therapists to design more effective, personalized treatment plans that go beyond treating injury, area of physical dysfunction, pain or discomfort.

• Working together with you as a member of your healthcare team to reduce pain and restore, maintain, and improve range of motion, mobility and overall well-being.

• Collaborating with a community of primary healthcare and wellness professionals, mental health experts, and complementary care providers.

A trauma-informed practice and model for care understands and considers the pervasive nature of trauma and promotes environments of healing and recovery rather than practices and services that may inadvertently re-traumatize.

• Trauma-informed care acknowledges the widespread impact of trauma and seeks to understand its effects on health, illness and healing.

• It emphasizes creating a safe and supportive environment for all patients who may or may not have experienced trauma.

• This entails recognizing the signs and symptoms of trauma, integrating trauma-informed knowledge into practices and policies, and actively striving to prevent re-traumatization.

  • Creating a safe and welcoming space for patients

  • using clear communication and having an awareness of personal boundaries, actively seeking consent from patients throughout the treatment, avoiding potentially triggering lighting, music, language or touch, and allowing patients control over their experience.

• Allison is dedicated to ensuring a safe, inclusive, and trauma-aware environment allowing every patient to feel secure and supported by continuing training and education in grief, loss, complex pain & emergency trauma and intergenerational trauma within communities to better understand the effects of trauma.

  • This awareness ensures a trauma-informed approach to care for all patients

Please note: RMTs do not diagnose medical conditions including mental health and psychiatric conditions. RMTs do not prescribe or recommend medication prescription/otc and do not provide mental health therapy or counselling. Referrals to primary care physicians and other relevant professionals may be recommended. Massage Therapy is complimentary to primary medical care and not a replacement for primary care.

Evidence-based massage therapy combines current pain science, manual therapy research and clinical experience with patient preferences to enhance treatment effectiveness.

Committed to continuing education, exploring the latest research and advancements in manual therapy, pain science and pain management strategies and collaborating with science and evidence-based healthcare providers.

This approach ensures that treatments are grounded in current medical and scientific evidence, allowing for adaptations and change as new research and information emerge.

The ultimate goal is to deliver safe and effective care that alleviates pain, restores, maintains, or improves patient mobility, improves therapeutic outcomes and enhances quality of life.

• First appointment- Payment is required at the time of your appointment. A receipt will be emailed to you at the time of payment and can be submitted to your insurer.

• Direct Billing is available for Subsequent/ return appointments once insurer information has been provided. (to allow administrative time for setting up and verification of plans).

• Direct Billing to most Extended Plans*

  • Insurers enrolled with Telus eclaims, Pacific Blue Cross, Sunlife, Medavie Blue Cross, RCMP,

• ICBC and Worksafe - no direct billing to ICBC or WorkSafe BC. A receipt will be issued to patients that can then be submitted to ICBC or Worksafe for reimbursement directly to patients from ICBC, Worksafe

• Patients are responsible for the FULL cost of the appointment if their extended benefits deny any payment, for any late cancellation/missed appointment fee, and for any amounts not covered by plans.

*Every patient will be issued a receipt that can be submitted to extended health-care benefits for reimbursement or used towards income-tax deductions.

Patients must understand their plan coverage details before we can process direct billing. Be aware if you have a deductible, or if the visit is only covered at a percentage of the visit fee. Some Plans may require a Doctor's referral for Massage therapy.

If we are unable to process an appointment through the provider system with any Insurers, payment for the treatment will be made through the ‘Jane payment system’ and a receipt emailed to you.

Please note: Insurance companies will not give providers any information about your plan or coverage. When providers submit a claim it is either approved with the details of the amount covered or it is denied for direct billing and the insured patient is to contact the insurer and submit directly to the Insurer.