How Can Massage Therapy Move Forward? Registered Massage Therapists Touch on Key Points Shaping Their Profession in British Columbia, Canada

Abstract

Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) are valuable members of the health care team who assist in creating positive outcomes in health promotion, disease prevention, and rehabilitation. This article explores RMTs’ views regarding the status and future of their profession in British Columbia, Canada. It highlights, for the first time, key issues for advancing the profession from their perspective. RMTs believe increased recognition for their roles in health care would enhance their careers. They note that research on the beneficial aspects of MT and communication of these benefits to other health care professionals, particularly MDs, and the general public, would also help. Some noted that increasing their work within interdisciplinary health care teams, particularly inside publicly funded health care, would elevate the status of their profession. Finally, RMTs discussed their desire to gain recognition of their rigorous education programs by earning degrees instead of diplomas. However, significant barriers to these aspirations exist.