Do you have no idea what to expect during your initial treatment with a Registered Massage Therapist? Here are a few things to expect and as a client you are entitled to.
What’s an RMT?
With a competent RMT you are in good hands. A Registered Massage Therapist is a member of the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario click here one of the province’s 26 health regulatory colleges click here established by a law called the Regulated Health Professions Act, to protect your right to safe, competent and ethical health care. As a student I study the required 2200 hours at Sutherland Chan School and Teaching Clinic to be allowed to take my college exams.
Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics
The Standards of Practice provide Massage Therapists with clear directions in a comprehensive document from which they can obtain guidance on how well they are expected to perform their various tasks within the Scope of Practice.
Together with the Code of Ethics, these two documents provide a strong foundation for the profession of Massage Therapy.
Scope of practice
The practice of Massage Therapy is the assessment of the soft tissue and joints of the body and the treatment and prevention of physical dysfunction and pain of the soft tissue and joints by manipulation to develop, maintain, rehabilitate or augment physical function, or relieve pain. (Massage Therapy Act 1991)
Treatment Area
It will be cleaned between clients, sheets for draping will be freshly laundered and be able to cover your body fully.
Fees
The amount of the treatment will be discussed prior to the treatment and the amounts and types of services will be posted in the treatment room.
Washing of hands and skin
A therapist must wash their hands prior to your treatment.
Goals for the treatment
Your specific goals will be discussed for the treatment. Your limitations of daily activities if any and areas of the body that will be worked on will be also laid out clearly for you.
Obtain, Update and Record Clients Health History
Before you can be treated you’ll have to fill out a Health History form click here to be updated yearly which gathers personal information relating to your address, related health care providers, general practitioners information, family health history, current health status, previous injuries and current complaints to help gain a better understanding of how to treat you better. It will also help to determine if RMT is indicated. Any information gathered on your forms can’t be released to a third party without your written consent. It will be updated on a yearly basis.
Consent
Before your assessment and treatment you will be asked to consent to treatment the treatment presented by the therapist regarding, parts of the body to be worked on or any risks or benefits of the treatment. This is a time given to the client to ask any questions that might not be clear to them. Your consent can be withdrawn any time during the treatment.
Determining if Massage is Indicated
If Massage is determined to be indicated for a client then the treatment will proceed. If not the therapist must refer to another healthcare professional or take precautions to make sure the client is not put at risk.
Tomorrow I will cover the remaining standards for your benefits…
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