Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
21
1
SPRING 2014 ISSUE
CONTENTS
Features
COVER
Championing athletes 14 p14
Of two minds 18
Trusting hands 22
p26
Departments
p22 From the Editor 5
Touch Points
Industry News and Events 6
RMT Tech Talk
Whats your exit strategy? 30
Columns
Few and far between 10
By Jules Torti
On the Cover:
The learning curve 12 Aurel Hamran, sport massage thera-
By David Zulak pist and 2013 recipient of the Queen
Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Award
Relief
from pain
and inflammation
in muscles and joints
www.traumeel.ca
to be sure this product is right for you, always read and follow the label.
traumeel S is a homeopathic preparation.
Editor
Spring 2014 - Volume 13, Issue 2
from the editor
Mari Len DeGuzman mdeguzman@annexweb.com
(905) 726-4659
C
Publisher anadian philosopher of media and
Christine Livingstone clivingstone@annexweb.com
(519) 429-5173 (888) 599-2228 ext. 239
communications Marshall McLuhan was a man ahead of his time. He
theorized, back in the early 1960s, that electronic interdependence
Account Co-ordinator would bring together once-fragmented, individualistic humankind
Shannon Drumm sdrumm@annexweb.com
(519) 429-5183 (888) 599-2228 ext. 219 into a global village. This vision was realized with the advent of the
Internet, transcending geographic barriers and enabling real-time, global
Media Designer
Brooke Shaw
communication.
McLuhan is also more popularly known for coining the phrase, The
Group Publisher medium is the message, which means the way by which a message is
Martin McAnulty mmcanulty@annexweb.com
delivered puts a lot of weight on how the message is perceived.
President The phrase was first introduced in McLuhans book, Understanding Media:
Mike Fredericks mfredericks@annexweb.com
The Extensions of Man, published in 1964. In a later book that elaborated his
Mailing Address theory on the importance of the medium, McLuhan theorized that modern
P.O. Box 530, 105 Donly Drive South, media have become extensions of human senses, enabling people to expand
Simcoe, ON N3Y 4N5
their perception of the world to an extent that would not be otherwise
PUBLICATION MAIL AGREEMENT #40065710 possible without the media. The book, published in 1967, was titled The
RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN
ADDRESSES TO CIRCULATION DEPT.,
Medium is the Massage: An Inventory of Effects. Its not a typographical error.
P.O. BOX 530, SIMCOE, ON N3Y 4N5 The title actually says, massage.
e-mail: cnowe@annexweb.com An excerpt from the book could provide an explanation why it was an apt
Massage Therapy is published four times a year: metaphor: All media work us over completely. They are so pervasive in
January, April, July, November. Published and printed by their personal, political, economic, aesthetic, psychological, moral, ethical,
Annex Publishing & Printing Inc., 105 Donly Drive South, and social consequences that they leave no part of us untouched, unaffected,
Simcoe, ON N3Y 4N5
unaltered. The medium is the massage.
Printed in Canada Todays massage therapists and massage therapy practices have at their
ISSN 1499-8084 disposal a vast array of mediums for delivering their key messages and promote
Circulation their practice to their community and the public, in general. Each medium
e-mail: cnowe@annexweb.com has its own strengths and weakness that can make or break your message. The
Tel: (866) 790-6070 ext. 207 key is finding the most effective vehicle that will serve your purpose.
Fax: (877) 624-1940
Mail: P.O. Box 530, Simcoe, ON N3Y 4N5 The health and wellness benefits of massage therapy is an excellent message;
the challenge is getting that message across in a way that will make the most
Subscription Rates
Canada 1 Year $29.95
impact and will result in positive perceptions and actions. The world today is
2 Years $49.95 in a state of information overdrive. With the advent of social media and the
3 Years $64.95 shift to a 24-hour news cycle, it is very important to ensure the vehicle used to
(includes GST - #867172652RT0001) deliver the message of massage is as great as the message itself.
For USA and Foreign rates please contact Cheryl Nowe
And what better way to promote the benefits of massage than a great client
Occasionally, Massage Therapy Canada will mail informa- experience and excellent results. A satisfied client will return and will likely
tion on behalf of industry-related groups whose products
and services we believe may be of interest to you. If you bring in new clients.
prefer not to receive this information, please contact our After all, as McLuhan puts it, the medium is the massage.
circulation department in any of the four ways listed above.
www.massagetherapycanada.com
@MTCanadaMag
CranioSacral Therapy
Use CST to: CranioSacral Therapy 1 (CS1)
Vancouver, BC May 22-25, 2014
Relieve stress, headaches, neck and back pain, TMJ,
Edmonton, AB Sep 18-21, 2014
ADD/ADHD; to strengthen the immune system, to improve Moncton, NB Sep 18-21, 2014
central nervous system disorders, and much more
SomatoEmotional Release 1 (SER1)
Build your practice; increase your earnings Moncton, NB Sep 18-21, 2014
Reduce the strain on your body with our light-touch techniques SomatoEmotional Release 2 (SER2)
Participate in a global alumni network that exceeds 100,000 Calgary, AB Oct 16-19, 2014
practitioners, residing in 100+ countries Adv 1 CranioSacral Therapy (ADV1)
John Matthew Upledger, CEO Use our skilled Educational Services Counselors to help
Calgary, AB Oct 7-11, 2014
and John E. Upledger, DO, OMM, you chart your futureat the workshops, over the phone Unwinding Meridians: Applying
developer of CranioSacral Therapy and online Acupuncture Principles to CST (UMAC)
Toronto, ON May 22-25, 2014
start Ask about our Core-Pak SomatoEmotional Release Technqiue:
traINING Training and Certification Package Mastering the Inner Physician (SERTIP)
$
100 PER
MONTH
Save More Than 30% Coursework Satisfaction Guaranteed!
Edmonton, AB May 22-25, 2014
Additional dates and locations at Upledger.com
Click or Call:
800-233-5880 | Upledger.com
To register, use Priority Code MTCAN 4-14
start traINING Ask about our Core-Pak Training and Certification Package
$
100 PER
MONTH Save More Than 30% Coursework Satisfaction Guaranteed!
CANADAS DEAD SEA Jules Torti has been an RMT since 1999 and a
Canadas best-kept secret is a natural saltwater lake. Little Manitou freelance writer since age six. In between massage
Lake, near Watrous, is 100 kilometres southeast of Saskatooon. engagements, she travels to Africa to be with
A few months ago, I attended Robin Esrocks book launch chimpanzees and writes about her zany travels for
at a local Chapters. His book, The Great Canadian Bucket Matador Network.
List, harnesses the quirky and unknown experiences that
Canada offers. As he narrated his adrenalin-laced encounters
while researching the book, he instantly had me taking
mental note as my inner GPS purred. Swimming with
spawning salmon in B.C.? Eating $100 fish n chips at Be Regulation-ready!
Bullocks Bistro in Yellowknife? Riding horseback with bison?
Floating on Canadas Dead Sea? How did I miss the memo You deserve credit for the
on these geographic gems? experience you have.
The healing properties of the lake (formed by a glacial spillway)
MH Vicars School of Massage Therapy
are found in huge sodium, magnesium and potassium deposits. has convenient, affordable Advanced
In the early 19th century, Assiniboines suffering from smallpox Placement options for RMTs who want
were purportedly cured by drinking the waters of and bathing in to enhance their training. If you are a
Manitou Lake. practicing massage therapist, we will
Manitou Springs Resort and Mineral Spa has capitalized on this respectfully assess both your experience
buoyant idea. Unique to the Western hemisphere, but akin to and your previous training and place you
the Dead Sea in Israel and Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic, in the right class to earn our 2200-hour
the lake has a gravity that is 10 per cent higher than regular water diploma in less than a year. We wont
(but still half the floating powers of the Dead Sea). You cant sink. waste your time or money by making
you re-learn skills and knowledge that
The European-style mineral spa entices visitors to the resort with
you already have.
three soothing temperature sections from 94 to 102 degrees
Fahrenheit. Braver, outdoorsy souls can jump right in the lake and We are excited that our new 2013-14
enjoy the beach, while being smack dab in the Prairies. curriculum meets or exceeds the
Canadian inter-jurisdictional entry-
to-practice standard for massage
URBAN SALT
therapists, which will become the new
In downtown Toronto, Body Blitz offers a therapeutic
standard in all regulated provinces.
hydrotherapy-based circuit that also revolves around the
nourishing benefit of sea salt and sharing communal waters. Call us today to learn more.
Utilizing unrefined Dead Sea salt, both Body Blitz locations are
warehouse conversions that house hot Epsom pools, salt water
MHVicarsSchool.com Call 1-866-491-0574
pool, cold plunge, Eucalyptus steam and infrared sauna facilities.
With the TELUS Health eClaims solution, you can now benefit from
direct billing capabilities to various insurers. This means your patients will
be able to enjoy a service similar to the one they receive at the pharmacy
or the dentist. Its quick to register, its easy to use and its free.
Is it any wonder so many healthcare providers rely on it?
Available with:
Championing
athletes
Aurel Hamrans contributions to the Canadian sport
community earned him the respect of his peers and
honour from the Queen
B
ehind some of the greatest athletes in the world is a team of health-care practitioners ensuring
these contenders compete at their greatest physical condition. Often, these practitioners operate
on the sidelines, waiting behind closed curtains, ready to deliver their care to an athlete in need at
a moments notice.
As vital as their role in the team is, these health-care prac- I had an opportunity to expand my knowledge about
titioners seldom share the spotlight with the athletes they sports injuries and had a chance to meet this famous
care for. They dont typically seek such accolades, anyway. For Olympic massage therapist, recalls Anita Grof, who took
many of them, seeing their team excel and perform to the Hamrans sport massage class in 2010 and now works along-
best of their abilities is testament enough of their hard work. side him as massage therapist for the University of Albertas
This is why Aurel Hamran, a sport massage therapist based swim team.
in Edmonton, was surprised to receive a call last year from He not only changed my way of thinking about the body
Marcel Aubut, president of the Canadian Olympic Committee but he sparked a passion about massage and the benefits of
(COC), telling him of the good news: he was to receive the massage and how it can assist athletes, Grof says, describing
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his invaluable her mentor as a true master of his craft.
contribution to the Canadian sport community. Of all his accomplishments, Hamran finds teaching one of
Hamran was one of 41 members of the Canadian sport the most fulfilling.
community to receive the prestigious award in 2013. The My greatest achievement? It has more than one compo-
Queens Diamond Jubilee medal was created in 2012 to com- nent, and one of them is that I am able to pass on my knowl-
memorate the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth IIs acces- edge and sport massage techniques to students for the last
sion to the throne. 20 years, Hamran says.
Throughout his 30-year career, Hamran has participated in Learning, he tells his students, must be a continuing experi-
five Olympic games, four Commonwealth Games, three Pan ence that does not stop when one graduates. In fact, it is only
Am Games and several other national and international com- the beginning.
petitions. He is the team therapist for the Edmonton Keyano Expanding ones knowledge outside massage therapy is
Swim Club and runs his own massage therapy clinic at the key, he says.
Kinsmen Sports Centre in Edmonton. For me, learning massage was not enough. Thats why I
Hamrans work is not limited to the massage table, how- went to Sheridan College in Oakville (Ontario) to learn sport
ever. He is also an active member of his professional com- injury management, so I could work with and help athletes
munity: he has served as president of the Canadian Sport more, Hamran recalls.
Massage Therapists Association (CSMTA), an active member
of the Massage Therapist Association of Alberta, and has pre- FROM MUSIC TO MASSAGE
viously been a member of the City of Edmontons licensing From the moment he decided to become a massage therapist,
committee for massage services. He currently teaches sport Hamran knew he would spend most of his career in sport mas-
massage at McEwan University. sage. Growing up in Hungary, he was always involved in sports:
Being awarded with the Queens medal may have come as first in boxing, then later on, in wrestling.
a surprise for Hamran, but not to those who knew him well. It was during his wrestling years that he was introduced to
athletic massage. A supporter taught him and other wrestlers met an instructor from Toronto who was a certified athletic
on his team how to do massages, so they can help each therapist.
other when they compete out of town. His interest in continuing to advance his knowledge in
Sport was not the only thing Hamran pursued when he athletic massage led him to Sheridan College to study sport
was in Hungary; he was also part of a musical trio, with him injury management. His time at the Oakville, Ont., school
as the drummer. His musical performances would take him to took him to various sporting events, as part of his curriculum,
Canada at age 32. exposing him to various aspects of sport massage.
We played in different places from Vancouver to Toronto Whatever you learned, you used it, Hamran says. At
(until) our bass player decided he wanted to settle in that time they organized international meets in downtown
Edmonton. He went to university and became a teacher. Our Etobicoke. So I went down there and volunteered to do mas-
piano player went to the U.S. and played at different hotels, sages and got to know the national swim coach.
Hamran recalls. Little did he know that volunteer work was going to bring
With his musical team disbanded, he settled in Edmonton him just a little closer to the Olympics.
and worked at the printing plant of a publishing company. I told the swim coach I was interested to work with the
That didnt last long for Hamran wanted more than just national team and he said yes. He took me to the Olympic
an eight-hour job. He wanted to pursue his athletic interest training camp in Los Angeles before the 88 Olympics. He
and his resolve solidified in 1983 through an encounter with said if the swimmers liked me then I could work with the
a friend, a gymnast who had sprained both his ankles at the national team.
time. Unfortunately, that coach was let go three months before the
Two days later, I saw him jogging and asked, How come? 1988 Olympics, halting any hope of Hamrans involvement in
Hamran recalls, surprised that his friend could run so soon that game. However, it did teach Hamran one important lesson:
after his injuries. He said they massaged the edema. I said I Great opportunities may come from volunteering.
want to learn this and I also wanted to work with athletes. For starters, volunteering allows one to practice what has been
Shortly after, he enrolled in the massage therapy program learned in theory, Hamran explains.
at McEwan University. After finishing the program, Hamran Not everything is about money, he notes. Its your passion
took a course on emergency first aid for athletes, where he that takes you further in your career. Volunteering is good to get
same great
premium PROFESSIONAL Liability
COMMERCIAL Liability
OFFICE PROTECTION
$5,000,000
The latest edition of this highly successful book presents a unique understanding of the role of fascia
in healthy movement and postural distortion which is of vital importance to bodyworkers.
Fully updated with the latest scientific research, the book presents a unique whole systems view of
myofascial/locomotor anatomy in which the body-wide connections among the muscles within the COMMERCIAL LIABILITY
$10,000
fascial net are described in detail. Using the metaphor of railway or train lines, the book explains how
patterns of strain communicate through the myofascial webbing, contributing to movement stability
and postural compensation. Written in the clear and accessible style that characterised the success of
previous editions, the book guides the reader in the effective application of the Anatomy Trains theory OFFICE PROTECTION
via the use of abundant diagrams, photographs and educational film sequences on an associated
website.
$25,000 Learn more! Call today!
FULL LEGAL GUARD
EXPENSE 1-800-265-2625 ext. 322
www.rmtinsurance.com elisa@rmtinsurance.com
Policies also available for: Contents Massage Clinics Spas Schools
Of two minds
An in-depth look on the state of the massage therapy
profession in Western Canada
W
hat is the value of regulation? Its a question that sparks heated debate when massage thera-
pists address this key issue. With massage therapy currently regulated in only a few jurisdictions
in Canada (Ontario, Newfoundland, British Columbia and, most recently, New Brunswick), view-
points across the country diverge about what forms of regulations should be implemented, and
thats especially so among massage therapists in Western Canada.
Alberta has long grappled with this thorny issue. The problem, and come to terms that will benefit all MTs (in Alberta), we
according to Cathy Smith, manager of the Associate Massage could have the opportunity to become regulated taken from us
Therapy Clinic in Red Deer, Alta., seems to be that a large and freeze the development of our position within the health-
number of massage therapists in our province do not under- care profession, he says.
stand exactly what regulation will do for our profession. The MTAA (established in 1953, making it one of Canadas
Many are worried that the government will dictate our oldest associations for massage therapists) is pursuing a viable
every move, from client care to billing. Others worry that a way forward in transitioning the massage therapy profession
huge exam will be required of all 2,200 hour therapists and into a self-regulating health profession under provincial legisla-
they worry they will not be able to pass. They look at the pos- tion. The Entry to Practice standard in Alberta will be based
sible problems that could arise (from change to regulations) upon that which has already been established by the other
not at the positives. I believe that by becoming regulated, we regulated jurisdictions in Canada, and the majority of people
will have more credibility in the eyes of other health-care prac- practicing massage (in one form or another) do not necessarily
titioners, billing to insurance companies will become easier, meet this standard at this point in time, according to Chandra
and we will fit into the new 2020 Vision Integrated health-care Kastern, massage therapist and spokesperson for the MTAA.
plan our government has devised. The Entry to Practice Examination Blueprint is based on the
Although the movement to develop a made-at-home regula- Inter-Jurisdictional Practice Competencies and Performance
tory environment in Alberta slogs along at a glacial pace, at Indicators for Massage Therapists, which was finalized in late
least the provinces licensing massage associations continue to 2012 by the three regulatory colleges for massage therapy in
dialogue. Canada (B.C., Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador).
And dialogue some more, quips Len Balogh, president of To the best of my knowledge we are the first jurisdic-
the Remedial Massage Therapists Association (RMTA) head- tion in Canada to have completed a psychometrically driven
quartered in Red Deer, who sits on the transitional steering blueprinting exercise using this document and the only
committee (TSC) alongside the Massage Therapist Association jurisdiction to have released a concise blueprint to an Entry
of Alberta (MTAA), National Health Care Practitioners to Practice Examination into the public domain, remarks
Association (NHPCA) and the Alberta Association of Kastern.
Therapeutic Masseurs (AATM). Completion of the blueprinting exercise was the kick-off to
The RMTA wholeheartedly supports and endorses the the redevelopment of the Entry to Practice Examination in
regulation of Alberta massage therapists under the Health Alberta, which is currently underway, slated to be complete
Professions Act, Balogh says. summer of 2014. The MTAA has also launched a school/
In 2009, the Minister of Alberta Health and Wellness had program approval process for institutions offering massage
recommended to Cabinet that the Health Professions Act be therapy education in Alberta. Going into 2015, it will be man-
amended to include massage therapists as a regulated profes- datory for Alberta graduates wishing to challenge the Entry to
sion. Practice Examination to have come from an approved school
The government wants this to happen; so does the MTAA. or program.
But after 20 years theres still no agreement among all the A viable and fair substantial equivalency process is key in
stakeholders. Its a standoff. And by refusing to compromise transitioning the existing profession into the reality of being a
Trusting hands
Massage therapy treatment for post-traumatic stress
recovery
P
ost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is
increasingly being recognised in our com-
munities. PTSD is no longer a condition
specific to war veterans or those who
have had major trauma in their lives. It is now
widely accepted that any person who has suf-
fered any kind of trauma can experience PTSD
symptoms and its effects can be overwhelming.
PTSD DEFINED
The word trauma may be defined in a strictly physical/
medical way, meaning simply a wound or injury. Trauma
may also involve the psychological realm and mean, a deeply
disturbing, frightening or disquieting occurrence.
It is now known that any person who has endured a trau-
matic event is susceptible to the disquieting effects of PTSD.
War veterans, victims of motor vehicle accidents, victims of
physical/sexual/psychological abuse, or natural disasters all
could suffer from PTSD. The Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders 5 now includes: those who
have directly experienced a trauma, those who may have wit-
nessed a trauma, close friends or relatives of trauma victims,
and those with repeated occupational exposure to traumatic
events, as potential candidates for PTSD.
PTSD is a serious clinical condition that must be diagnosed
by a qualified health-care professional, as its symptoms might
not be easily recognized, even by those suffering. Flashbacks,
nightmares, night sweats, altered sleep patterns, adrenal
fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, memory loss, muscle aches
and general fatigue are just some of the symptoms that your
clients might be experiencing. Many individuals do not make
the connection between symptoms and trauma experienced
because of the diversity of symptoms, their vagueness and, Patients recovering from PTSD are taking a leap of faith in putting
often, because of delayed onset of symptoms. their trust in their therapists.
POWER OF TOUCH
Those with PTSD have survived traumas, and many have
lived for a long time since. Sadly though, many have been
missing significant parts of the human experience distract-
ed by their condition. Helping a client reconnect with their
physical body may also help them to overcome obstacles in
their emotional/spiritual selves.
It is quite common for clients to present with physical pain
connected to their trauma. Some of these traumas occurred
decades earlier. A client once reported that he was experienc-
ing inexplicable pain in the low back and gluteal region.
During his treatment he revealed that, in a group session ear-
lier that day, he had been retelling the story of being spanked
in his formative years. This is called intrusive re-experiencing
and is a core symptom of PTSD.
REACHING OUT
In all of our communities, there are people working through
a post-traumatic stress recovery process. As a medical profes-
sional with years of experience working with this population,
I hate to think of any sufferer going unnoticed. It should be
easy for each PTSD client to find, and network with, quali-
fied medical professionals. Just like those suffering from
addiction, these individuals need the highly skilled hands and
minds of manual therapists to help them become reacquaint-
Ongoing education can help therapists increase their understanding
of PTSD recovery for better patient support and treatment.
ed in a healthy way with their bodies.
Once a client is diagnosed with PTSD, they may feel
to find the clients name, date of birth (it is always a good labeled. A client diagnosed with PTSD, with such a wide
practice to wish clients a happy birthday), the history of their range of delicate and difficult-to-treat symptoms, may feel
massage treatments, and the primary area for their treatment. helpless and destined to suffer in silence. When we reach out
It may not have been my most professional night, but it for- to this group we can make a tremendous contribution to our
ever changed my way of treating. communities, and bridge the gaps that exist among health-
The client came in, and it was obvious from her severe care professionals.
scarring, and the eye patch she wore, that she had been Ongoing education is the key to gaining a greater under-
through a significant trauma. As I went through the consent standing of the process of post-traumatic stress recovery. We
process she just nodded and said very little. Throughout the live in a world with a wealth of information at our fingertips
treatment she was very quiet and was nearly inaudible when that ignorance about a condition as prevalent as PTSD is
I checked-in about pressure and comfort. The treatment difficult to fathom. Keeping ourselves informed and sharing
ended, she left as quietly as she had arrived and she rebooked information with colleagues can do nothing but broaden the
before she left. Our second treatment was much the same as support network for people in need.
the first, but on the third treatment I decided to change the As massage therapists, sometimes we dont see ourselves as
treatment plan. I suggested that I work on her head and face sales people but sales are nothing more than asking questions,
an approach that I felt would prove beneficial. She con- providing a service and letting people know how to access it.
sented and I went to work. My hope in writing this series is that, as a profession, we will
After the treatment, this client came out of the room cry- start seeing areas in the population we treat that are being
ing. Worried that I had done something wrong, I immedi- under serviced, view them in a new light and take action to
ately asked if everything was okay. She said that I was the remedy the situation. (Edited by Heather MacRae)
first medical professional in 15 years, since her bear attack, to
touch her face without asking what had happened. Chris OConnor is a registered massage therapist,
I discretely picked my jaw up off the ground, made sure public speaker, osteopathic practitioner, provider
she was fine to leave the treatment area, and returned to her and instructor of contemporary medical acupunc-
initial intake form. There it was in black and white: Reason ture. For more information, visit www.chrisocon-
for treatment: bear attack. norconsulting.com.
Putting your
foot down
Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy comes to Canada
T
wo parallel bars hang securely from the
ceiling. A body lies prone on a massage
table with the cervical spine neutrally
aligned in a face cradle. Meticulously pre-
pared, soft and hygienic feet glide slowly along a
tension filled muscle, sinking into the lubricated
tissues with precision.
CLIENT EXPERIENCE
Many clients wonder what the feet feel like when used as a
massage tool. The broader surface of the foot means less dis-
comfort than with traditional deep tissue massage. Patients
who prefer deeper massages will likely enjoy the Ashiatsu
experience. For those who have been reluctant to try a deeper
massage because of the pain associated with it, Ashiatsu just
might be what changes their minds. Often, a patient on the AOBT is currently practiced by thousands of therapists in the U.S. and
table will completely forget the massage is being done with is now starting to gain traction in Canada.
TRAINING
Launched in the spring of 2013, Ashiatsu Deepfeet
Bar Therapy Canada is now training Canadian thera-
pists through NRG Medicine in Toronto. All provincial
standards of practice have been met, making it easy for
Canadian therapists to fit Ashiatsu into their massage ther-
apy practices.
To ensure the standard quality and safety of the modality,
massage therapists who are interested in training must be
licensed in their province of practice or students of massage
therapy who have completed 75 per cent or more of their
program.
A LOOK FORWARD
Ashiatsu is expected to start appearing more frequently on
spa menus, in massage colleges, clinics and massage supply
stores across Canada. Its popularity will initially be based
on its novelty and sheer intrigue. What will actually ensure
Ashiatsu practitioners must follow strict hygiene practices according to Ashiatsus staying power within the massage therapy profes-
regulatory standards.
sion are the clients who will see and feel its benefits and con-
When selecting a barefoot training program, it is important tinue to request it.
to consider the quality and depth of the curriculum as well as
the level of expertise and training of the person from whom Nicole Ramien, RMT, is the first fully certified
you will learn. This ensures that once trained, a therapist is AOBT therapist in the Greater Toronto Area. She
able to begin his/her practice in a safe, effective and sustainable has since then become the first and only certified
manner. AOBT instructor in Canada. She graduated with
The goal of each AOBT training class is for each therapist honours as registered nurse from McGill University,
to leave with the tools to critically think and use sound judg- and has been trained in naturopathic medicine at several clinics
ment when working with their clients. AOBT instructors are around the world. For information on the AOBT and for available
hand-picked from qualified candidates who have completed certification and training courses, visit www.nrgmedicine.ca.
an intensive application process and training program.
AOBT Canada conducts training in groups and in person,
with a maximum of eight students per class. Following grad-
uation, any needed support and resources will be provided,
ensuring therapists and their clients receive a safe and precise
practice for many years to come.
Certification courses include: Barefoot Basics, a 90-min-
ute full posterior routine with one foot firmly planted on
the table; Advanced Deepfeet 2, which includes two-footed
and transitional strokes that can be integrated with the one-
footed routine; and Ashi-Thai, a full-body 90-minute passive
assisted stretching routine, both posterior and anterior done
through clothing.
CMTO STANDARDS
As per College of Massage Therapists of Ontario Standard,
all skin surfaces must be washed with soap and water or
alcohol-based sanitizer for a minimum of ten seconds.
Each Ashiatsu therapist will have their own unique routine
to prepare their feet before going in the treatment room, but
each should ensure that provincial standards are being met.
Getting from the washbasin to the massage table is made
possible through the use of single use socks following the
washing/drying protocol and slippers or sanitized rubber
sandals. These socks are then washed to the same standards as
the table linens.
Draping techniques taught in all classes meet the expecta-
tions of the majority of Canadian massage therapy clients.
Noting the number of the Vancouver-based Colleges regis- coming into massage therapy education. The students are more
trant base has blossomed from 800 when the CMTBC opened educated, more experienced, more worldly and more critical.
in 1994 to more than 3,000 today, Ruitenbeek says in order to I see the profession diversifying within itself with registrants
continually evolve the profession, the College is reaching out being truly qualified to not only be clinicians but academics,
across the nation. The CMTBC has adopted the newly developed researchers and policy makers, he says.
Inter-jurisdictional Practice Competencies, reflecting a joint effort In all provinces, regulated or unregulated, clients of RMTs
with other regulated provinces Ontario and Newfoundland belonging to any reputable association have generally been
and Labrador to create a single, national standard for entry- able to claim their massage treatments for reimbursement
to-practice regulation. She explains that not only do the Practice by insurance companies. Insurance firms, such as Manulife,
Competencies harmonize the three duplicate processes in each Sunlife and Great West Life, have asked all RMTs regardless of
of the jurisdictions, they offer a standard of regulation for other province to have a minimum of 2,200 hours of education and/
jurisdictions to adopt as they move to self-regulation. or belong to a recognized association that sets certain require-
The approach enables regulators to confidently abide by ments at a level comparable to those practitioners who are
national labour mobility laws that require them to grant full licensed in regulated provinces.
registration to active RMTs from other regulated jurisdictions And he who pays the bills will have a big say in what hap-
without additional assessment, testing or educational upgrad- pens and how our profession will evolve, Balogh cautions.
ing, other than testing for knowledge of local jurisprudence. The bottom line: insurance companies will set the tone for
Working in high performance sport, Liang sees himself as a the profession moving forward.
pragmatist and a realist. He looks for options.
The way I would like to see it go is that it continues to Jack Kohane is a Toronto-based freelance
evolve politically, professionally and academically. As a 10-year journalist writing for several national
instructor, I definitely have seen a shift in the student body health-care magazines and the National Post.
MassageTherapistPractice.com
Approved
Continuing Education
ONE Concept
Community Room
Fantastic Trade Show
Tina Allen James Waslaski Drew Freedman Angie Dubis
and Legendary
Social Events
FREE Student Day and
Smart From the
Start Presentation
Dr. George Roth Jerrilyn Cambron Barry Jennings Dr. Dennis Buckley
JOIN
US!
EDUCATORS DAY FRIDAY, SEPT 19
& SCHOOL RALLY AT
8:30AM-4:00PM
REGISTER: INFO@ONECONCEPT.COM
ONE Concept/FMT Wellness OR 1-877-387-9111 EX 111
HAMILTON ONTARIO
family therapy
CLINIC SPA SHOP