An RMT or Registered Massage Therapist is a health care professional who uses comprehensive orthopedic assessments in order to create treatment plans which employ evidence-based modalities with the intent of improving function, overall health and wellbeing. The profession is governed by regulations imposed by both the Minister of Health and their professional body, The College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia (CMTBC). In order to register with the college and take the provincial board exams, RMTs must complete thousands of training and clinic hours. As one of the provinces 25 designated health care professions, RMTs are required to:

• Pass national and/or provincial entry-to-practice exam(s) and be familiar with the legal, professional, and ethical practice of their profession;
• Be registered with their regulatory college and renew registration annually;
• Be a college registrant to use certain “protected” professional titles;
• Comply with college bylaws;
• Comply with a code of ethics;
• Adhere to the scope of practice they can undertake within their professional limits;
• Meet quality assurance requirements;
• Meet professional standards of practice;
• Be subject to a complaints and discipline process if standards are not met; and
• Undertake a criminal record check every five years.

For this reason, our treatments are covered by most private insurers as well as subsidized by provincial health care. Only CMTBC registrants are permitted to use the term “massage therapist”. Non-registrants are not bound by professional or provincial regulations with regards to the services they provide, and their treatments are not claimable.

You do not need a doctor’s referral to receive treatment by an RMT. However, your insurance provider may require one in order for your treatment to be covered. If in doubt, have your doctor write up a referral, and bring it with you so we can keep it on file.

In order to limit the number of people in public areas, we really encourage you to fill out your health history questionnaire and consent forms before you arrive, online- this also leaves more time for a massage! Once at the clinic – you will be greeted by your practitioner. In the treatment room, the two of you will cover informed consent and discuss your health history. Some people are unsure as to why so many questions are necessary – the truth is, massage can have a profound effect on the body. You would be surprised to know that certain medications and medical conditions may preclude you from certain massage techniques and positions. We only ask for information pertinent to a safe treatment – and remember, all your information is kept safe in accordance with professional and provincial regulations – just like a physician.

After the interview, and with your consent, your therapist will perform a few orthopedic tests to help determine the location and level of injury. These tests are a great way to show you how far you’ve come! With all the information gathered during the interview and assessment, you and your provider will discuss the benefits and risks of treatment and develop a treatment plan.

It’s finally time for the best part! Your practitioner will ask you to remove any jewelry and turn off your cell phone. She will let you know what position to take between the sheets on the table. She will ask if you have any questions, ask you to dress down to your comfort level and then leave the room. Once you are set on the table, your treatment will begin. Remember, it is your treatment and you can stop, start or change any part of it, at any time. You won’t hurt our feelings, we promise. This time is about you and your well-being.

At the end of your treatment, your therapist will let you know the time is up and leave the room. You will take your time, extra time if needed, to get up and get dressed. Once you are dressed, crack the door to the treatment room to let her know you’re ready. At this time, you will discuss how the treatment went, and the therapist may repeat one or two of the orthopedic tests to see if your issues were responsive to treatment. Don’t worry if there is no big change, we’re good but we’re not magicians! That’s where home care comes in. As a part of your comprehensive care, your therapist will provide you with custom home care exercises, stretches and recommendations on how you can better manage your activities of daily living. That’s it!

Wear comfortable clothes, preferably clothes appropriate for a physical assessment – shorts/tights and a T-shirt are best.

Totally up to you! Most people will keep their drawers on, and lose the rest. This gives good access to the back and shoulders, legs and feet.

FRAME offers direct billing to most insurers. For expenses not covered, FRAME accepts (exact) cash and e-transfer. No debit or credit cards accepted at this time.

FRAME provides direct billing for most insurers. What that means is, depending on your level of coverage, all or most of the cost of your treatment can be submitted by us, leaving you with little or nothing to pay out of pocket!

Please do be prepared to make payment arrangements in the event there are issues submitting your claim. Receipts are always available on the client portal once payment is processed.

Make sure to track of how many treatments you have had, as we cannot be relied upon to track your entitlements.

Also, insurers will not pay for missed appointments.

FRAME does not offer direct billing for ICBC.

Yep. With your consent, in order to provide safe treatment, we are obliged to review your health history and complete an assessment before you get on the table.

Afraid not. If we are able to direct bill, it will be to one insurer only. You will be given a receipt for the remainder which you may process through your coordinated benefits.

Of course! Pregnancy can really take a toll on a woman’s body. Back and hip pain, joint instability, headaches, swelling, insomnia, numbness and tingling – the list goes on. An RMT can help decrease your pain, increase your function, reduce stress and improve your sleep. With pillows designed to accommodate your growing baby belly, expectant moms can find comfort in a variety of positions. Please be sure to let us know if you are suffering from any gestational systemic disorders like high blood pressure, or diabetes.

Every situation is different, but in order to accommodate the growing demand for treatment in Quesnel, two active appointments may be held at any given time.

We use Biotone Dual Purpose Massage Cream. If you are allergic to any of the ingredients listed here, please let FRAME know as soon as possible. We may have a cream that works for you.

• Arnica & Ivy Extracts Aid Circulation
• Benefits of Oil & Lotion
• Extra Healthy Skin Benefits
• Aloe Heals & Soothes
• Non-Greasy
• Paraben Free

Ingredients: Purified Water, Octyl Palmitate (coconut oil ester), Almond Oil (Prunus Amygdalus), Emulsifying Wax NF (vegetable derived), Arnica Extract (Arnica Montana), Ivy Extract (Hedera Helix), Aloe Vera Oil (Aloe Barbadensis), Kukui Nut Oil, Cetyl Alcohol (non-drying emollient), Mixed Tocopherols (vitamin e), Glycerin, Carbomer, TEA, Germal, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Fragrance.

More information regarding Biotone can be found here.