Registered Massage Therapy

Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) are licensed health care practitioners who are registered with the College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia and are regulated under the BC’s Health Professions Act. The BC licensing program for registered massage therapy is one of the most respected programs in the world. Applicants must graduate from an accredited program and pass a provincial registration exam before they can use the title Registered Massage Therapist. Additionally, BC Registered Massage Therapists are required to complete on-going training and education to further enhance their knowledge and maintain quality standards.

Is Registered Massage Therapy right for me?

  • Our one-on-one registered massage therapy fits your schedule, comfort level, and symptoms.
  • Our registered massage therapists are experienced in using a wide variety of hands-on techniques to treat the causes of problems, not just the symptoms.

What will my first appointment look like?

  • The first visit with your RMT will be a 60-minute comprehensive physical assessment, beginning with a discussion of your current symptoms and health history.
  • With the time remaining, your RMT will begin hands-on treatment, maintaining open communication with you throughout to ensure your comfort.

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ICBC Claims - All you need to know

If you have been involved in an accident on or after April 1, 2019, ICBC will automatically approve you for the following services with an end date of 12 weeks after the accident:

  • 25 physiotherapy sessions
  • 25 chiropractic sessions
  • 12 registered massage therapy sessions
  • 12 active rehab sessions
  • 12 clinical counselling sessions
  • 12 acupuncture sessions

Please note, that this automatic approval does not apply if you have sought treatment elsewhere, and are switching to Total Therapy. In this case, Total Therapy will be required to seek approval from ICBC prior to starting treatment with us. Additionally, ICBC will not approve treatment that was not sought in the first 12 weeks post-injury. For example, if you begin registered massage therapy and physiotherapy within the first 12 weeks, but not chiropractic, ICBC will not fund chiropractic treatment after this date. Therefore, it is advised that you should seek treatment with each discipline that you anticipate needing during your recovery within the first 12 weeks post-injury. Please ask your therapist for recommendations if you are unsure which other services may be beneficial.

What’s required from ICBC patients?

  • Legal First and Last Name
  • D.O.B
  • Claim Number
  • Personal Health Number* (optional, but can cause delays with ICBC)
  • Current Working Status
  • GP referral* (for claims prior to April 1st 2019)

Registered Massage Therapy Service and Fee Schedule

Rates Effective September 18, 2023

Type Description Fee
Private 90 minute
75 minute
60 minute
45 minute
30 minute
$190
$165
$140
$115
$90
MSP Premium Assistance 60 minute
45 minute
30 minutes
$112
$92
$67
ICBC Initial assessment (45 minutes)
Subsequent extended (60 minutes)
Subsequent standard (45 minutes)
$0
$40+GST
$20+GST

Registered Massage Therapy services are GST taxable.

Learn more about Registered Massage Therapy

Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) are licensed health care practitioners committed to restoring and maintaining pain-free function of your body. Registered Massage Therapy is a one-on-one, hands-on approach to health care. Regular registered massage therapy sessions can assist in relieving stress, pain and muscle tension associated with various musculoskeletal or neurological conditions, including:

  • Headaches due to muscle tension or poor posture
  • Post-MVA whiplash and whiplash-associated disorders
  • General muscle tension related to sedentary work postures
  • Sport- or trauma-related injuries
  • Sciatica and low back pain

Registered Massage Therapy can also be utilized as a core component of high-performance athletic training and rehabilitation programs, or for overall relaxation and stress relief. Treatment by a Registered Massage Therapist is typically covered under most extended health care plans.

At Total Therapy Burnaby and Metrotown our Registered Massage Therapists take the time to talk to you about your health history and current physical condition before deciding on a course of treatment. Our Registered Massage Therapists utilize a variety of techniques such as Swedish massage, myofascial release, joint mobilizations, therapeutic exercise, and dynamic stretching to help treat the cause of your problem, not just the symptoms. We’re here to help you achieve your health goals so you can live your life to its fullest.

How should I prepare for my non-registered massage appointment?

On your first visit to Total Therapy, you will be asked to fill out our online intake form. Please complete this prior to your appointment. Please arrive ten minutes before your scheduled appointment time to allow yourself sufficient time to find parking and get checked in. If you are unsure whether Registered Massage therapy would be beneficial to you, please consult with your current health care provider or give us a call and ask to speak with one of our Registered Massage Therapists.

What is a registered massage therapy appointment like at Total Therapy?

At Total Therapy, your registered massage therapist takes the time to make sure that their treatment is tailored to meet your personal health goals. During your initial interview, your registered massage therapist will ask you questions about your current and past health history, activities, and work demands to develop an effective treatment plan. Good communication is an important part of this process. After the initial interview, your registered massage therapist will instruct you on how to position yourself on the table, and then will leave the room to provide you with privacy to get undressed to a level with which you are comfortable. Each room at our North Burnaby and Metrotown locations is fully private, with ergonomically-designed padded, heated tables, and is prepared with fresh linens prior to your arrival. Once you are positioned comfortably under the sheets, your massage therapist will re-enter the room. During the session, your registered massage therapist will maintain an open dialogue with you to ensure that you are comfortable throughout the session, and that the treatment provided meets your needs. As a part of your session, your registered massage therapist may also include instruction on exercises or stretches to perform at home to maximize the treatment’s effectiveness. For your initial appointment, we recommend 60 minutes to allow for adequate treatment time

What should I expect afterward?

After your session, you will likely feel a sense of relaxation and relief, and a decrease in muscle tension/aches. In some cases, you may temporarily feel a mild sense of fatigue. Others report feeling energized. Your registered massage therapist may recommend follow-up home care like fluids, heat or cold, or stretches/exercises to maximize the treatment effect. If you are still feeling pain or discomfort, it is important to stick to the treatment plan your registered massage therapist recommended as sometimes more than one treatment is necessary for a desired result.

How will I progress?

  • Your RMT will teach you therapeutic exercises and stretches to perform at home, helping you get the most out of your massage.
  • You have the flexibility to book 30, 45, and 60-minute massages for your subsequent treatments.

Is it safe to combine massage therapy with other types of treatments?

Reigstered Massage Therapy can be an effective complement to different therapies (e.g. physiotherapy, chiropractic, active rehabilitation), and can enhance or extend the therapeutic effects of other treatments. However, in some cases it may be more appropriate to have certain types of treatment sessions precede others (e.g. registered massage therapy prior to chiropractic treatment, or active rehabilitation prior to massage therapy). Keep an open dialogue with your therapists if you are thinking about pursuing a multidisciplinary treatment plan. At Total Therapy, we work hard to deliver services as a team, and you’re an important part of it.

I’m pregnant. How can registered massage therapy benefit me?

Registered massage therapy is a wonderful way to relax, relieve pain and discomfort, and help you cope with stress and fatigue during pregnancy. During pregnancy, your body undergoes several changes, including weight gain and postural shifts. This results in extra pressure on your joints and more strain on your muscles. Registered massage therapy helps relieve muscle and joint discomfort associated with these changes. Registered massage therapy is also a natural therapeutic option for the management of certain chronic conditions and prevention of illness. Regularly scheduled registered massage treatments are particularly essential since many medications that are considered relatively safe to control symptoms and discomfort (such as pain killers, anti-inflammatories, laxatives, sleeping pills) are not recommended (or desirable) to take during pregnancy. Talk with your therapist to determine what treatment plan is appropriate for you.

Are there any situations in which registered massage therapy would not be appropriate for me?

Yes. That’s why it’s imperative that you complete your health history questionnaire in detail and go through an assessment with your registered massage therapist prior to treatment. It is very important that you inform your registered massage therapist of any health problems you have had or are currently dealing with, or medications you are taking. If you are under a doctor’s care, it may help the registered massage therapist to have a referral from your doctor to describe your medical condition or recommend care. This way, your registered massage therapist will be able to work with your doctor to treat you more effectively.

Should I tip?

Our registered massage therapists are health professionals (licensed under the Health Practitioners Act-the same law that governs physicians, dentists, etc.) and tipping is not expected or necessary. Your return visits are the best reward and your referral is always most appreciated.

Your Rights and Responsibilities

  • You have the right to be treated in a considerate and respectful manner
  • You have the right to confidentiality and privacy both during and post-treatment
  • You have the right to participate in and make decisions about your treatment plan prior to and during the actual treatment
  • You have the right to modify or terminate the treatment at anytime
  • You have the right to determine the areas of your body to be massaged as well as the level of undress required to perform the massage
  • You have an obligation to be provide accurate up-to-date information about your health history and any changes in your health status so that your therapist can provide a safe and effective treatment

*Please note, we do not provide massage therapy service for WorkSafe BC claims.*

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