A Call for Recognition
November 3, 2024 | by Heidi Thériault
Massage therapy in Quebec has a rich history and is widely respected for its therapeutic benefits. From relieving chronic pain to managing stress and promoting overall wellness, massage therapy has become an essential service in the lives of many Quebecers. Yet, despite its value, it remains classified as a complementary therapy rather than a standardized medical profession in Quebec. This article explores why standardizing massage therapy is necessary and how it would benefit practitioners, clients, and the broader healthcare system.
The Current State of Massage Therapy in Quebec
Currently, massage therapy in Quebec is not regulated by a professional order, unlike physiotherapy, nursing, or other healthcare professions. Practitioners are not mandated by law to hold a specific certification or meet standardized educational requirements, which leaves the field open to varying levels of expertise. While organizations like the Réseau des massothérapeutes professionnels du Québec (RMPQ) set ethical and professional standards, these guidelines are voluntary, and membership in such organizations is not required to practice.
Several associations currently represent massage therapists in Quebec, with the RMPQ being the largest. These associations include:
Réseau des Massothérapeutes Professionnels du Québec (RMPQ): With over 8,500 members, RMPQ is the largest association in Quebec, offering support and resources to professional massage therapists. RMPQ
Fédération Québécoise des Massothérapeutes Agréés (FQM): Representing close to 5,000 members, FQM focuses on promoting high standards and professional development within the massage therapy field.
Association des Massothérapeutes du Québec (AMQ): Established in 1981, AMQ has a longstanding history of supporting massage therapists through advocacy and education.
Regroupement des Massothérapeutes du Québec (RMQ): With over 15 years in the field, RMQ provides resources and support to its members, aiming to enhance the profession's recognition.
Association Québécoise des Thérapeutes Naturels (AQTN): AQTN represents multiple natural therapy professions, including massage therapy, advocating for professional standards and public awareness.
However, despite their efforts, the lack of formal standardization creates challenges:
Inconsistent Standards: Without mandatory training or licensing requirements, clients may receive varying levels of care depending on the therapist’s background and experience.
Public Misconceptions: Many people still view massage therapy as a luxury or wellness service rather than a medical treatment with scientifically-backed benefits.
Insurance Limitations: Although some insurance providers cover massage therapy, the lack of regulatory recognition restricts broader coverage and may leave clients with fewer financial options.
Limited Collaboration with Healthcare Professionals: The lack of formal recognition makes it harder for massage therapists to collaborate with doctors, physiotherapists, and other healthcare providers as an integrated part of a patient’s care team.
International Context
Massage therapy is standardized and regulated in several countries and regions, each with its own approach to certification, licensing, and oversight. Here are some notable examples:
1. Canada
Ontario, British Columbia, and Newfoundland and Labrador: These provinces have regulated massage therapy as a healthcare profession, with licensing requirements managed by regulatory bodies like the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO) and the College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC). These provinces require practitioners to complete a set curriculum, pass exams, and adhere to ongoing education requirements.
2. United States
Licensure at the State Level: In the U.S., massage therapy is regulated on a state-by-state basis. Nearly every state has licensing requirements, often including education from an accredited school, passing the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx), and completing continuing education.
3. Australia
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF): Massage therapists in Australia must complete AQF-recognized training, often at the diploma or advanced diploma level, covering therapeutic and remedial massage. Some states have professional associations, such as Massage & Myotherapy Australia and the Australian Natural Therapists Association (ANTA), which set standards but don’t regulate licensing.
4. United Kingdom
Voluntary Registration: The UK lacks government-regulated licensing for massage therapy, but the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) offers voluntary registration for therapists who meet specific training standards.
Professional Associations: Organizations like the Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT) and the Massage Training Institute (MTI) provide guidance and accreditation for practitioners.
5. New Zealand
New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA): Massage therapy is not government-regulated but practitioners often complete NZQA-approved qualifications, such as a diploma in therapeutic or sports massage.
Massage New Zealand: This association provides voluntary membership to therapists who meet standards for education and practice.
6. Japan
Licensed by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare: Japan has one of the most rigorous regulatory frameworks, with massage therapy considered a medical practice. Practitioners must complete specialized training and pass exams to become licensed by the Ministry.
7. Sweden
Voluntary Registration and Associations: While not formally regulated by the government, many Swedish massage therapists seek voluntary certification through organizations like Massörerna, which requires members to complete approved training and adhere to ethical standards.
These examples highlight a spectrum of regulatory approaches, from fully standardized systems with licensing bodies (like in parts of Canada and Japan) to voluntary certification through professional associations (as seen in the UK and New Zealand). Standardization generally leads to higher professional standards, increased public trust, and greater integration into healthcare systems.
Why Standardization is Essential
Standardizing massage therapy in Quebec would not only elevate the profession but also enhance the quality and accessibility of care for clients. Here are key reasons why this change is essential:
Enhancing Professionalism and Credibility: Standardized training and licensing would ensure a consistent level of expertise, boosting the profession’s credibility and giving clients confidence in the quality of care.
Validating Therapeutic Benefits: Scientific evidence supports massage therapy’s effectiveness for chronic pain, nerve entrapments, tendinitis, and mental health. Recognizing it as a medical profession would validate its role in treating these conditions.
Promoting Insurance Accessibility: Full recognition could expand insurance coverage, making massage therapy more accessible to those who need it, especially for chronic pain and muscle tension.
Encouraging Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Standardization would foster collaboration with other healthcare providers, integrating massage therapy into rehabilitation, pain management, and recovery plans.
Visacova Santé’s Commitment to Standardization
At Visacova Santé, we are committed to setting a higher standard for massage therapy in Quebec through innovative techniques like Sarcomere Massage. This technique was specifically developed to target chronic muscle pain, nerve entrapments, and tendinitis at the micro level, focusing on the sarcomere, the fundamental unit of muscle contraction. By working on this precise area, Sarcomere Massage provides targeted relief and promotes long-term muscle health—underscoring the therapeutic and medicinal potential of massage.
Our dedication to standardization is driven by our desire to see massage therapy fully recognized as a legitimate form of medicine in Quebec. By advancing specialized techniques and promoting evidence-based practices, we hope to contribute to a future where massage therapy is valued for its medical efficacy and professional rigour.
Steps Toward Standardization
Achieving standardized recognition for massage therapy in Quebec will require the collaboration of therapists, professional associations, policymakers, and the public. Key steps to move forward include:
Advocating for a Professional Order: Establishing a professional order would create a regulatory framework for certification and licensing, aligning Quebec with other provinces.
Raising Public and Medical Awareness: Educating the public and healthcare professionals on massage therapy’s benefits can reshape perceptions and promote it as essential healthcare.
Promoting Specialized Training: A standardized curriculum would ensure therapists have the required knowledge in anatomy and physiology for high-quality care.
Expanding Insurance Coverage: Broader insurance coverage would make massage therapy more accessible, reducing out-of-pocket costs for medical treatment.
Collaborating with Healthcare Providers: Building relationships with medical professionals can foster support for integrating massage therapy into patient care.
How the Public Can Help Advocate for Standardization
The public plays a crucial role in supporting the standardization of massage therapy in Quebec. Here’s how you can make a difference:
Raise Awareness: Educate others on the therapeutic benefits of massage therapy, emphasizing its effectiveness for chronic pain, nerve entrapment, and tendinitis beyond relaxation.
Support Certified Practitioners: Choose therapists certified by recognized organizations like the RMPQ, supporting professional standards in the field.
Contact Insurance Providers: Advocate for expanded insurance coverage for therapeutic massage to make it more financially accessible for managing chronic health issues.
Engage with Policymakers: Write to local representatives to support regulation and standardization of massage therapy, emphasizing the need for certification and licensing.
Support Professional Organizations: Follow and support groups like the RMPQ that advocate for massage therapy standardization, amplifying their message.
Share Testimonials: Post personal stories about the benefits of therapeutic massage on social media or forums to shift perceptions and highlight its medical value.
By advocating for regulation, insurance coverage, and greater awareness, the public can help establish massage therapy as a standardized, respected medical profession in Quebec. Every step the public takes can make a meaningful difference in shaping the future of massage therapy as a recognized part of healthcare.
A Vision for the Future
Imagine a Quebec where massage therapy is not only respected but also fully integrated into the healthcare system. In this future, clients can rely on massage therapy to address a range of health issues, from managing chronic pain and relieving nerve entrapments to accelerating recovery from injuries. Practitioners would hold licenses attesting to their education and expertise, and they would work in collaboration with other healthcare providers to deliver comprehensive, patient-centered care.
At Visacova Santé, we are proud to be part of the movement toward this future. Our commitment to excellence, innovation, and advocacy underscores our belief that massage therapy deserves recognition as a core healthcare service. With dedicated efforts from practitioners, associations, and advocates across Quebec, we can make this vision a reality—bringing the therapeutic power of massage to all who need it and elevating the profession for generations to come.
Chronic muscle tension is a prevalent issue, affecting a significant portion of the population. In the United States, approximately 20.4% of adults experience chronic pain, with 8.0% reporting high-impact chronic pain that limits daily activities (CDC). In Canada, similar trends are observed, with many individuals suffering from conditions like muscle tension, nerve entrapments, and tendinitis.
At Visacova Santé, we have developed the Sarcomere Massage technique to address these specific issues. This method focuses on the sarcomere, the fundamental unit of muscle contraction, aiming to alleviate chronic muscle pain, relieve nerve entrapments, and treat tendinitis. Sarcomere Massage is part of our commitment to providing effective care that addresses the root causes of muscle tension.
Our dedication to advancing massage therapy as a recognized medical treatment is reflected in our innovative practices. We believe that techniques like Sarcomere Massage can play a crucial role in managing and alleviating chronic muscle tension, providing relief to those who suffer from these common yet often debilitating conditions.
Here’s to a future of wellness, relief, and recognition for all in massage therapy.
References
Scientific Studies on the Benefits of Massage Therapy
Field, T. (2016). Massage Therapy Research. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Ernst, E., & Harkness, E. (2000). Complementary medicine: The evidence for massage therapy. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 19(6), 506-510.
Public Health Statistics on Chronic Pain
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). Prevalence of chronic pain and high-impact chronic pain among adults—United States, 2016. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 67(36), 1001–1006. Available at: CDC Website
Statistics Canada. (2019). Canadian Community Health Survey: Chronic pain in Canada. Available at: Statistics Canada
Massage Therapy Associations in Quebec
Réseau des Massothérapeutes Professionnels du Québec (RMPQ): rmpq.ca
Fédération Québécoise des Massothérapeutes Agréés (FQM): fqm.qc.ca
Association des Massothérapeutes du Québec (AMQ): amquebec.qc.ca
Quebec’s Healthcare Framework and Professional Regulation
Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services: msss.gouv.qc.ca
Office des professions du Québec: opq.gouv.qc.ca
International Associations and Standards
United Kingdom:
Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC): CNHC
Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT): FHT
Australia:
Massage & Myotherapy Australia: Massage & Myotherapy Australia
Australian Natural Therapists Association (ANTA): ANTA
New Zealand:
Massage New Zealand: Massage New Zealand
New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA): NZQA
United States:
American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA): AMTA
Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) - MBLEx: FSMTB
Germany:
Verband für Wellness Massage und Prävention (VFWP): VFWP