Our health care needs are evolving individually and societally in the post-pandemic world. Our population is aging, wait times for much needed medical treatments are far too long, prescription pain medication addiction is a societal crisis, and healthcare budgets are strained. The Ontario medical system seems to see the need to transition to an integrative, multidisciplinary approach. This will help to achieve the goals of shorter wait times for clients, alleviate stress on individual practitioners, and reduce budget constraints.
Currently, massage therapy is well integrated in Ontario into paramedical services alongside other healthcare professions such as physiotherapy, chiropractic, naturopathy, psychological services, etc. Most people don’t currently think of massage therapy as part of primary care, the healthcare professions that are the first point of contact for healthcare for most people, such as general practitioners, nurse practitioners, dentists, physiotherapists, pharmacists, etc.
The Registered Massage Therapists Association of Ontario (RMTAO) is currently engaged in a pilot program to change the place for massage therapy in our medical system where massage therapy is included in primary care. Outcomes have been very positive. Those involved in the pilot reported they could better manage their conditions and had improved quality of life. Participants also stated that with massage therapy care they took less pain medication and saw their doctor or nurse practitioner less often. You can read or watch a video to learn more about the pilot here.
When might it be appropriate to choose to see a massage therapist as primary care? It is likely for treatment of common conditions for which massage therapy has demonstrated positive outcomes. Conditions like:
- Physical symptoms of stress
- Back pain
- Shoulder pain
- Arthritis related pain and stiffness
- Headaches
Optimal Health Physiotherapy offers massage therapy with John Hauser, RMT.