In B.C.,the practice of massage therapy has a rich tradition that dates back to the early 1900’s. The grass roots of the massage therapy profession can be best traced from 1946 when nurses and remedial gymnasts founded the Association of Physiotherapists and Massage Practitioners of B.C. (APMP). Their treatments were focused on rehabilitating and restoring patients to optimal health.
Education and Training
Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) are among the most educated and highly trained professionals in their field. To become an RMT in BC students must complete at least 2200- 3,000 hours of training at an accredited college. This can be compared to a university bachelor degree, averaging 1,500 hours over four years.
Standard educational requirements include comprehensive studies in health sciences such as anatomy, physiology, pathology, kinesiology and neuroanatomy. Other studies 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 extensively.
BC’s Registered Massage Therapists also:
• have 2-3-years of training, the highest standards in North America
• have mandatory continuing education and upgrading
• are linking research to practice, including providing evidence-based patient education a..n, d remedial exercise
• have completed the BC registration exams set by the College of Massage Therapists of BC (CMTBC), and must continue
with post-graduate studies to maintain registration
• honour a strict code of ethics set by the CMTBC, which ensures that patients receive safe, competent, and ethical care
• RMTs are trained to evaluate individual health needs,and provide active and passive techniques for complete patient care.
• RMTs provide an accurate assessment, differential diagnosis, and prognosis of specific, soft tissue and musculoskeletal conditions.
• RMTs act upon the muscular, nervous and circulatory systems to improve health