Massage Therapy Overview
Massage Therapy
Massage Therapy is a manual type of therapy involving the manipulation of soft tissue. Massage Therapy is commonly used to reduce pain, promote overall wellness, reduce stress and anxiety, rehabilitate injuries, release tension, and promote relaxation.
Massage therapy has many different styles and techniques that are used in treatment and it is known to be one of the oldest tools people used to relieve pain.

What Conditions Benefit From Massage Therapy?
- Treatment needed related to motor vehicle accident injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Sports-related injuries
- Tension Headaches
- Chronic fatigue syndrome/Fibromyalgia
- TMJ issues
- Chronic sinusitis/chronic bronchitis
- Management of frozen shoulder
- Plantar fasciitis
- Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS)
Massage Therapy Techniques
Relaxation Massage
Relaxation massage (often referred to as Swedish massage) is meant to do just that – relax you. It is the most common and known massage, and is considered to be one of the most relaxing styles. It involves long, fluid strokes of muscles and tissues with pressure that varies from light to firm. Your Massage Therapists will adjust the pressure according to your sensitivity and preference.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage
Manual lymphatic drainage is a type of massage that aims to help the body maintain proper blood circulation, body fluid balance, and immune functions. It is focused on the lymphatic system, relieving swelling and lymphedema that can occur usually during medical treatments, illnesses, or surgery. It involves gently manipulating special areas of the body to clear lymphatic fluid and move it to your lymph nodes.
Pregnancy Massage
Massage therapy during pregnancy has been shown to provide many benefits, including a sense of wellness, improved relaxation, and better sleep. Although massage therapy is relatively safe during pregnancy, consulting with your doctor beforehand is beneficial in knowing if massage therapy is right for you in the early or late stages of pregnancy as certain techniques and trigger points can cause early labour. Our clinic can provide a pregnancy pillow during the massage for optimal comfortability.
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage uses more pressure than other styles of massage. It’s a good option if you have chronic muscle problems, such as soreness, injury, or imbalance. During a deep tissue massage, your massage therapist will use slow strokes and deep finger pressure to relieve tension from the deepest layers of your muscles and connective tissues.

How Does a Registered Massage Therapist Differ From a Regular Massage Therapist?
A registered massage therapist is a massage therapist who is registered under the regulatory body of the province that they are treating in. For British Columbia, you would need to be registered under the College of Massage Therapists of BC (CMTBC).
If you are not registered under the CMTBC you are not considered a registered massage therapist (RMT) and your massage therapy sessions cannot be billed under any extended health insurance.
Becoming a Registered Massage Therapist
British Columbia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador are the only provinces in Canada where you need to be registered under a governing body for each province. Below are the steps and qualifications involved in graduating to become a Registered Massage Therapist in British Columbia:
- 20 – 24 months of schooling at an accredited college. For example: West Coast College of Massage Therapy (WCCMT) or Vancouver College of Massage Therapy (VCMT)
- Practicum (completed during schooling)
- Knowledge and practical board exams
- 550 hours of combined direct therapy and clinical related work
- Depending on the college: A case study could be required
- Registration with The College of Massage Therapists of BC (CMTBC)
- Registration with The Registered Massage Therapists Association of B.C. is not required for graduation but is highly recommended.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
We require all initial assessments for massage therapy to be booked as a 60-minute initial appointment. This ensures there is an adequate amount of time to gain the info that is needed when initially starting off with treatment. Follow-up appointments can be chosen from 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90-minute appointments depending on which massage therapist you are seeing.
During your initial assessment, your RMT will take down information on your previous medical history, as well as a thorough assessment of your current condition or injury. They may ask you to perform some special tests or movements to help determine the severity and cause of your injury. Treatment is focused on tailoring a plan with your goals in mind as well as our professional opinion, we sometimes might even do a mix of techniques in one session depending on if it’s beneficial for you or not.
