2013 Canadian Massage

and Chiropractic Conference

Show Guide Inside - P23-36
 FaLL 2013 issue

Contents
Features
Take your vocation
on vacation
10
p10
COVER 14
Touching addiction

Claims crisis 18
in health insurance

p21

departments
p14 From the Editor 5
Touch Points 6
Industry news and events

Resource Directory 37
Building your in-home 21 Listing of school programs
massage therapy clinic, and continuing education
part 2 38
RMT Tech Talk
Caring for patient data makes good
Canadian Massage and 23 business sense
Chiropractic Conference
Show Guide

Massage Therapy Canada FaLL 2013 3

 The Original
McMaster University
Contemporary Medical Medical Acupuncture
Acupuncture for Health
Professionals Program, since 1998
is a 300 hour University accredited course
with Dr. Alejandro Elorriaga Claraco
Spring 2014 Program
Introduction to Contemporary Acupuncture
Unit 1 February 21-22-23, 2014 v
Upper Extremity Problems Acute Pain
Unit 2 March 21-22-23, 2014
Comprehensive
Axial Skeletal Problems Visceral Regulation Accelerated Training in
Unit 3 April 11-12-13, 2014
Head & Face Problems Chronic Pain Syndromes
Unit 4 May 2-3-4, 2014
Contemporary
Lower Extremity Problems Integrated Mgmt.
Unit 5 May 30-31 - June 1, 2014 Medical
Acupuncture for
The program is skill-based and clinically oriented, with over 80
hours devoted to practical workshops on surface anatomy
palpation, needle insertion skills, anatomy laboratory,
condition-speciic blueprint treatment design, and treatment of

Health
real patients. Since 1998, more than 1600 professionals have
graduated from the program, achieving their training goals.
This is what they have to say:

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It was an eye opener for me. I believe for RMTs Contemporary Acupuncture (CA) is a
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Editor
Fall 2013 - Volume 12, Issue 4
Mari-Len De Guzman mdeguzman@annexweb.com
(905) 726-4659
Publisher
Christine Livingstone clivingstone@annexweb.com
(519) 429-5173 (888) 599-2228 ext. 239
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No part of the editorial content of this publication may be
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All advertising is subject to the publishers approval. Such
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www.massagetherapycanada.com
from the editor
I
have the privilege of taking over the reins as
editor of Massage Therapy Canada. We thank the previous editor, Maria
DiDanieli, for maintaining such a high quality publication.
Massage Therapy Canada is proud of its commitment to the massage therapy
profession and to promoting the health of Canadians. If historical statistics are
any indication, massage therapy is well positioned to play a greater role in the
health-care landscape.
Based on data from the Canadian Community Health Survey, Canadians
are increasingly seeking complementary and alternative health care. Between
1998 and 1999 about 3.8 million people reported having used an alternative
health practitioner. In 2003, the number increased to 5.4 million.
A 2006 study by Vancouver-based Fraser Institute reported 74 per cent of
Canadians had used at least one complementary or alternative medicine in
their lives. Of this number, 35 per cent used massage therapy, an increase
from the 23 per cent who reported receiving massage therapy in 1997.
Clearly, people are happy with massage therapy as an alternative health-care
service, as these studies indicate. Theres huge potential for Canadas massage
therapy practitioners to take advantage of this information, with the objective
of increasing the profile of the profession across Canada if they can move
forward with a unified voice.
In almost all professions, it is common to have differing views on certain
issues. As intelligent beings, this is to be expected, and massage therapists are
no different. The idea is to not focus solely on the differences, but instead
start with the common goals and aspirations of the profession, and let that be
the guide to work through those differences.
Every massage therapists goal is to help alleviate a clients health condition.
It makes sense professionally and economically: a satisfied client is likely to
return and refer friends and family to the practice.
Like other complementary and alternative health practices, massage therapy
has great potential to help alleviate the countrys many health-care woes and
lighten the pressure on an already constricted public health system. To a
degree, it is already doing its part, but so much more can be achieved through
greater collaboration
Massage therapists associations across Canada are proactive in their efforts
to provide quality continuing education for members and strive to maintain a
high standard for the profession. As well, increasing attention to research fuels
the goal of raising the profile of the profession to the health-care community
and the general public.
There are great challenges ahead part of the growing pains of a relatively
young profession but the opportunities are even greater. There is no doubt
Canadas massage therapy professionals will rise to the challenge and grab hold
of the opportunities to make the profession great and at par with other older
health-care professions.
Now, lets get back to the drawing board, shall we?
Mari-Len De Guzman
Editor
Massage Therapy Canada FaLL 2013 5
Touch Points
Gender affects RSI risk: IWH study
A r ecent study by the
Institute for Work and
Health (IWH) suggests gender
may be a contributing factor
to the risk of work-related
repetitive strain injury (RSI).
The IWH study found a higher
percentage of women report
work-related RSIs than men
7.5 per cent and 6.9 per cent,
respectively.
Our findings suggest that
gender contributes to RSI risk
in diverse ways based on job
segregation, non-work expo-
sures and, possibly, biological
vulnerability, said IWH sci-
entist Curtis Breslin, the lead
researcher on the study.
Breslins study used data
from Statistics Canadas
Canadian Community Health
Survey from 2003 to 2005. The
analysis was based on 89,000
respondents who reported
working at least one week in
the past year. It incorporated
Alberta massage therapists group turns 60
T he Massage Therapist
Association of Alberta
(MTAA) is commemorating its
60th anniversary with various
celebrations throughout the
year, including a five-day
Diamond Anniversary
conference from Nov. 1 to 5 in
Kananaskis, Alta.
Its a pretty incredible time
to be involved in the profes-
sion, and specifically, with the
MTAA, said Pamela Kats,
MTAA president. Its not every
day that you get to be part of
such a revolutionary organiza-
tion. For myself, the best part
is being able to look at things
such as our previous vision
statement and realize that we
actualized it. How many orga-
nizations can truly say that?
Since 1953, the MTAA has
6 Massage Therapy Canada FaLL 2013
Industry news And events
information on the self-report-
ed prevalence of RSI, including
whether the respondents attrib-
uted the cause of the injury to
work activities.
The study found that, in
most industrial sectors, the risk
of a work-related RSI was simi-
lar for men and women. But
important differences in RSI
were found in some sectors.
In a sector grouping arts,
entertainment, accommoda-
tion and food services, mens
risk of RSI was 23 per cent
lower compared to men work-
ing in the retail sector (retail
workers were the comparison
group in this study). However,
RSI risk for women in enter-
tainment/accommodation was
on par with RSI risk for women
in retail. For men working in
agriculture, forestry, mining
and utilities, the risk of RSI was
25 per cent higher compared to
retail. For women in these sec-
been a provincially focused,
non-profit organization exclu-
sively representing massage
therapists, and was one of
the founding members of the
Canadian Massage Therapist
Alliance. Once considered
a fringe therapy, massage
therapy is now the most widely
accessed complementary
alternative medicine (CAM)
in Canada, with $1.5 billion
spent annually on massage
therapy across Canada and
about 1.5 million accessing
massage therapy care, the
MTAA said.
The MTAA is proudly
synonymous with the mas-
sage therapy profession in
Alberta, serving as a flagship
for Alberta massage therapists
who believe in the importance
tors, the risk of RSI was slightly
lower when compared to retail.
A more dramatic gender differ-
ence was seen in construction,
where the RSI risk for men was
65 per cent higher compared to
retail, whereas the RSI risk for
women was 28 per cent lower.
We hear from the min-
istries of labour that the few
women who do get into this
work get injured because
theyre basically using tools
of providing quality massage
therapy care to the Alberta
public, the MTAA said in a
statement.
There are over 800 mas-
sage therapists in Alberta
alone.
Recognizing the need for
a larger evidence base to
advance the credibility of the
massage therapy profession,
the MTAA has announced its
sponsorship of a research
grant specific to massage
therapy, which is being of-
fered in co-operation with the
Interdisciplinary Network for
Complementary Alternative
Medicine (IN-CAM).
Massage Therapy is
well on the way to being a
formal health profession, with
regulation under the Health
and lifting things that are
designed for men. But when
you look at it at the popula-
tion level, there didnt seem to
be that much risk for women,
Breslin said.
That could be because men
and women have different job
tasks within certain sectors,
including construction, said
Breslin. The study data did
not contain that level of detail,
however, he added.
The MTAA Diamond Anniversary
conference will be held at the
Delta Lodge in Kananaskis,
Alta., along the foothills of the
Canadian Rockies.
Professions Act in Alberta and
several other jurisdictions in
Canada on the horizon, the
association said. The MTAAs
long history of setting and
maintaining high standards for
entry to practice, professional
development and upholding
accountability to the Alberta
public are what make our
organization truly unique and
a much-needed staple in the
Alberta non-profit and health-
care landscape.
CMTA wants to continue
talks to get Ontario back
By Mari-Len De Guzman
T he Canadian Massage
Therapy Alliance (CMTA)
has urged Ontarios massage
therapist association to
rejoin the CMTA, saying the
alliance is open to addressing
Ontarios concerns regarding
its participation.
In an open letter addressed
to the massage therapy profes-
sion in Canada, CMTA chair
Marilyn Sparling wrote the fol-
lowing: If structural chang-
es are needed, then Ontario
is welcome to participate in
change. If there are any other
concerns that prevent RMTAO
(Registered Massage Therapist
Association of Ontario) from
participating in the alliance we
will be happy to address them.
The letter also responded to
several posts on the RMTAO
Facebook page discussing the
RMTAOs 2011 withdrawal as
a member of the CMTA. The
subject posts were from July
2013.
In her letter, Sparling quoted
RMTAO chief executive officer
Bryn Sumptons comment on
one of its members post ask-
ing the status of RMTAOs
position on the CMTA and its
national advocacy.
To these statements, let it
be said the CMTA proactively
engaged in exchanges with the
RMTAO more than a year ago
regarding any concerns they
may have had with the struc-
ture of the alliance. These cor-
respondences were left last June
(2012) with the assurance there
would be a letter forthcoming
by the fall 2012 from the board
of the RMTAO to the CMTA
explaining their issues. This let-
ter or any further communica-
Marilyn Sparling, chair, CMTA
tion regarding this matter has
never been sent, Sparling said
in her letter.
The RMTAO is preparing
to issue a position statement
that, Sumpton said, will sum-
marize the structure and vision
that RMTAO would like to see
in a national massage therapy
alliance.
Sumpton told Massage
Therapy Canada discussions
between the RMTAO and the
CMTA are continuing, but
declined to disclose the details
of those discussions.
Our discussions with the
CMTA are private, internal dis-
cussions that we generally dont
share with other provincial asso-
ciations, for example, or pub-
licly, Sumpton said.
He did enumerate some of
RMTAOs position regarding
a national massage therapy
alliance.
It needs to be clear that its
an alliance of provincial and
territorial organizations or asso-
ciations, rather than a national
association for individual mas-
sage therapists, Sumpton said.
He added, They have to
have a clear vision and purpose
that is articulated and that it
is shared with the vision of
our association. For example, if
there is a dissention, each asso-
ciation has the right to agree
or disagree with statements by
the group as a whole, especially
when its in conflict with an
individual associations bylaws
and policies in their own
province.
The RMTAO also wants to
ensure that membership in the
alliance isnt unsustainable or
heavily burdensome in terms
of human resources or cost,
Sumpton said.
The RMTAO has developed
a draft position statement for
the alliance, which it opened
up for member comments ear-
lier this year. The association is
currently finalizing that docu-
ment, which is expected to be
released in the fall, according
to Sumpton.
In her letter, Sparling said
the CMTA is keen to have
(RMTAOs) participation and
welcome your vision in this
national alliance.
We firmly believe that only
by working together as a nation-
al profession can our goals and
visions be achieved for the
profession and, more impor-
tantly, the health care needs of
Canadians be addressed from
coast to coast, Sparling said.
The RMTAO withdrew its
membership from the CMTA
in 2011. Then RMTAO
board chair Amanda Baskwill
explained the reason for the
withdrawal in her 2011 Annual
Report.
Following the (2011) spring
meeting, the RMTAO board of
directors decided not to renew
their membership with the
CMTA due to the amount of
financial and human resources
that would have been required
to participate in this organiza-
tion, Baskwill wrote.
Massage Therapy Canada FaLL 2013
Drugstore chain
offers arthritis
screening
Canadian retailer Shoppers
Drug Marts new Arthritis
Screening program will
enable Canadians to work
with a pharmacist to help
detect and manage arthritis
condition at an early stage.
An estimated one in six
Canadians aged 15 years
and older live with arthritis.
The program was
developed from research
carried out at the Arthritis
Research Centre of Canada
with government funding
through the Canadian
Institutes of Health Research.
The Shoppers Drug
Mart Arthritis Screening is
the first and only program
in Canada designed with
women in mind, according
to the company. Arthritis
affects two out of three or 2.8
million Canadian women.
To help with early detection,
the program includes a self-
administered joint exam
and questionnaire.
Pharmacists at more than
1,200 Shoppers stores across
Canada will provide arthritis
screening and information
part of a three-year
partnership between Shoppers
Drug Mart/Pharmaprix,
Arthritis Consumer Experts
and the Arthritis Research
Centre of Canada.
Arthritis is the second
most frequently mentioned
condition as a cause of
disability. Arthritis-related
disability includes limitations
in mobility, self-care domestic
life, and community, social
and civic life.
7
Touch Points
Canadians favour health-care strategy for seniors: survey
N inety-three per cent of
Canadians believe it is
time for a pan-Canadian
strategy for seniors health
care at home, hospitals,
hospices and long-term
facilities, according to
the Canadian Medical
Associations (CMA) 2013
National Report Card on
health issues.
An equal number also
believe a comprehensive
strategy for seniors health
care would improve the entire
system by keeping elderly
Canadians at home as long
as possible, thereby lightening
the load on hospitals and
long-term care facilities, said
the study by Ipsos Reid,
which conducted the survey
for CMA.
Eighty-nine per cent of
the respondents believe a
national strategy for seniors
should involve federal,
provincial, territorial
and municipal levels of
government. And four in
five, or 78 per cent, believe
the federal government has
an important role to play in
developing the strategy.
Research shows it costs
$126 a day to provide
care for a patient in a
long-term care facility,
versus $842 a day in a
hospital. Making it easier
for elderly Canadians to
stay at home while getting
the care they need would
be the preferred and most
cost-effective option, the
CMA said.
The results of this years
CMA report card send a
clear and direct message
to policy-makers and
public office holders that
all levels of government
need to act to address the
8 Massage Therapy Canada FaLL 2013
Industry news And events
demographic tsunami that is
heading toward the health-
care system, said CMA
president Dr. Anna Reid.
Only 41 per cent of survey
respondents believe hospitals
and long-term care facilities
can handle the needs of
seniors in their area who
will not be able to stay at
home. The same proportion
of Canadians say they are
confident in the current
health-care systems ability
to serve Canadas aging
population.
The survey conducted
this year between July 17
and July 26 by phone among
1,000 Canadians aged 18
N.Y. researchers commence
stem cell clinical trial for MS
T he Tisch MS Research Center
of New York announced it
has received Investigational New
Drug approval from the Food
and Drug Administration (FDA)
to commence a phase-one trial
using autologous neural stem
cells in the treatment of multiple
sclerosis (MS).
MS is a chronic human auto-
immune disease of the central
nervous system that leads to
myelin damage and neurode-
generation. The disease affects
approximately 2.1 million peo-
ple worldwide.
To my knowledge, this is the
first FDA-approved stem cell trial
in the United States to investi-
gate direct injection of stem cells
into the cerebrospinal fluid of
MS patients, and represents an
exciting advance in MS research
and treatment, said Dr. Saud A.
Sadiq, senior research scientist
at Tisch MS Research Center of
and over found four in
five Canadians thought their
health-care in retirement
years was a concern.
Seventy-nine per cent
were concerned about having
access to a high-quality acute
care system, while 77 per cent
were concerned about access
New York, based in New York
City, and the studys principal
investigator.
The groundbreaking study
will investigate a regenerative
strategy using stem cells harvest-
ed from the patients own bone
marrow. These stem cells will be
injected intrathecally (into the
cerebrospinal fluid surrounding
the spinal cord) in 20 partici-
pants who meet the inclusion
criteria for the trial.
This will be an open label
safety and tolerability study. All
study activities will be conducted
at the Tisch MS Research Center
and affiliated International
Multiple Sclerosis Management
Practice.
The clinical application of
autologous neural progenitors
in MS is the culmination of
a decade of stem cell research
conducted by a team of scientists
headed by Dr. Sadiq and Dr.
to high-quality home care and
long-term care.
The results show 63
per cent believe home and
community care should be
the most important focus for
governments when improving
health-care quality for
senior citizens.
Violaine Harris, research scientist
at Tisch MS Research Center.
Preclinical testing found
the injection of these cells may
decrease brain inflammation and
promote myelin repair and/or
neuroprotection.
This study exemplifies the
Tisch MS Research Centers ded-
ication to translational research
and provides a hope that estab-
lished disability may be reversed
in MS, Dr. Sadiq noted.
Participants will undergo
a single bone marrow collec-
tion procedure, from which
mesenchymal stem cell-derived
neural progenitor cells will be
isolated, expanded and tested
prior to injection. Participants
will receive three rounds of injec-
tions at three-month intervals.
Safety and efficacy parameters
will be evaluated in all partici-
pants through regular follow-up
visits, the research centre said.
For more information
about this stem cell trial visit,
the Tisch MS Research Center
website, www.tischms.org.
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Feature By JuLes TorTi

Take your vocation

on vacation
unique massage treatments from around the world

M
assage therapists are notorious for neglecting self-care. Dedicated holiday time falls by the
wayside because if were not massaging were not earning money.
However, I fall into a different category after 14 years in the industry, I question my career
motives. It appears I prefer receiving more than giving. Its an honest and selfish statement.
When my high school guidance counsellor suggested I refine my focus and find an honourable vocation, I
thought she said vacation.

Always committed to marrying my passions, Ive been trav-
elling the world and taking my vocation on vacation. Ive
sniffed out the best body treatments to quell jet lag, career lag
and nagging posterior neck musculature from a 2010 running
wipeout that resulted in a concussion.
The global spa and massage industry adds an entirely new
dimension to bodywork. The stringent draping rules and
rigid consent to treatment observations of Canada are politely
glossed over in other countries. Sometimes vodka is involved;
other times its hot hay, seaweed and sand.
ToronTos ChinaTown
Ive been a rabid fan of Chinatown massage clinics for several
reasons. They are open late, they accept walk-in appoint-
ments, there is always complimentary hot herbal tea and
often a good schmaltzy samurai movie playing in the waiting
area. Post-massage, everything else in Chinatown is open late,
which means I could pick up some sticky pork buns, Peking
duck or a few skewers of grilled lamb on Dundas Street.
Torontos Chinatown offers instant gratification in so many
forms: shiatsu, cupping, Tuina. I am always a sucker for the
hour-long reflexology sessions though. If you walk east on
Dundas from the Spadina intersection, there are half a dozen
reflexology joints. For $35 you get a rose petal foot soak (that
doesnt cut into your hour session of an otherworldly foot
massage) and the most intense foot rub around. I have never
stayed awake until the end. Nursing cups of tea and flipping
through dated gossipy magazines, Id pass out in no time. In
the deep freeze of January, the sleepy soak and full-on foot
assault were career savers.
Sometimes, after a jammed workday, Id trudge over for a
Tuina session again, a Chinatown niche treatment, heavy
on the elbows and on stretching. Its like having yoga done for
you. After a lineup of five or six hour-long massages, a bout
of Tuina would remind me of how sensational it feels to be
the recipient and, how lazy I could be in my actual yoga
attempts.
Test-driving different modalities also allows for some unique
adaptations to occur in your own massage sequences. Whether
you insert a few reflexology hot spots or adapt a new Tuina
pec stretch, receiving a treatment outside of the Swedish mas-
sage scope is always a surprising investment.
Then again, sometimes you just want things done to you
for no reason other than the restorative effects of touch. You
want to let your brain flatline and to transition into a carefree
client. This is exactly what I did in the Siwa Oasis in Egypt.
Buried alive
I had dog-eared our copy of Lonely Planet, automatically
curious and persistent in finding out where exactly we could
have a sand sauna. The guide stated that those who decided
to partake in a sand sauna should be monitored by a doctor,
for days, as the treatment was intense and could have adverse
reactions.
The traditional Egyptian sand sauna required a three- to
five-day commitment, which we didnt have. We had to make
our way across the White Desert and back to Luxor so we
could squeeze in a few days on the Red Sea. Surely we could
do a single sauna and feel minor benefits after 20 minutes?
Three to five days promised a cure from rheumatism and
arthritis.
In pursuit of such bliss, I am known to throw caution to
the wind. Anyone reading this would sense clear and present
dangers in hitching a ride with a guy named Mohammed and
his donkey, Ali Baba, deep into the Gebel Dakrur desert. We
forgot to grab some water. We forgot to tell anyone where
we were going. It was near sunset but still, it seemed like a
very promising idea. We had requested camel stew for dinner

10 Massage Therapy Canada FaLL 2013

Egyptian sand saunas offer a unique spa experience for the adventurous type.
at the Shali fortress where we were staying, and Mohammed
promised wed be back in time for that.
I knew we were going to get buried, but I pictured us stand-
ing upright in the sand for some reason. We quickly learned
that we would be lying on our backs, and buried much as
children at the beach are buried by older siblings.
Mohammed led us a mile into the dunes. The desert sun
was characteristically searing. We loped along, grinning, mar-
velling at the landscape and ignoring apprehensions. My part-
ner opted to be buried first she is like the canary in the coal
mine. Kim has asthma, so, I figured that if she didnt have a
panic attack with a ton of sand piled on top of her chest and
body, Id be OK.
Mohammed expertly scooped the sand over her body (we
wore bikinis) until only Kims head was showing. Then he
walked up and down the length of her body in tiny steps,
packing the sand into near cement. Kim gave the nod that she
was OK, and then I volunteered to be buried alive.
Arms at my side, I immediately felt a bit of panic from
being so confined. Reminding myself of the arthritic cures,
I had some self-talk and let myself engage deeper in the
moment.
Mohammed walked up and down my body too his weight
was like cat paws over my quads. After this walkover, the sand
formed a solid mold around me and a slight wiggle left me
hoping Mohammed wouldnt take off and abandon us. It was
like lying in drying cement Im not sure if we could have
wriggled out of our sand cocoons.
There was immense exhilaration as we were scooped out of
our saunas. After 20 minutes, the initial coolness of the sand
has reversed properties. It was like being inside a body heat-
induced oven. Our skin was slippery with sweat and, when we
emerged, the sand felt like fine talcum as we brushed it off.
Desperately thirsty, we drank from Mohammeds bottle of
local water (which probably was the source of our diarrhea
for the rest of our time in Egypt) and hiked back to our
donkey cart.
Mohammed took us to a secret cold spring and made a fire
quicker than a Boy Scout to prepare hibiscus tea. The cold
plunge, long inhales on the sheesha pipe and hot, cleansing tea
were the perfect balm for our sauna-weary bodies. The healing
powers of the desert were quietly revealed and, we arrived
early for our camel stew.
russian Banyas
When I posted a call-out to friends on Facebook for zany
massage experiences around the world, a schoolmate from
high school, Greg Jacklin, replied in a minute from Seattle.
I went to a Russian banya with my brother-in-law in St.
Petersburg. Its kind of an involved process involving
smoked fish, vodka, beer and getting whipped by birch leaves
and branches, jumping into freezing water and repeating the
process. I had pretty bad congestion before this, but I left
the banya drunk and completely rid of my cold. The sauna
where you whip each other is much hotter than what would
be considered legal in Canada. You literally fight off the heat
until you cant take it anymore. The branch whipping is quite
painful but it was one of my highlights of my trip to Russia.
But then I fell asleep at the ballet
I had read about a banya in North York, Ont. (1027 Finch
Ave. W., Unit 7) in Torontos entertainment weekly, the Grid.
The article also spoke of the whippings (where writer David
Massage Therapy Canada FaLL 2013 11
Walking up and down the sand over the body makes for a more solid mold; for the one buried, its like lying in drying cement.
Sax felt like a dusty human carpet getting a thorough whack)
this time with a sauna whisk fashioned from oak leaves.
Banyas are traditional bathhouses and as central to a Russians
life as saunas are to the Finnish. A good shvitz (Yiddish for
test-driving different modalities allows
for some unique adaptations in your own
massage sequences.
sweat) has evolved from earlier male-centric days when banyas
were synonymous with card games and cigar smoke. Shvitzing
now involves soaking and decadent snacking. Sax remarked on
a menu that puts urban spa juice bars to shame: pumpernickel
croutons, borscht, beef Stroganoff, air-dried anchovies, oily
mackerel, pickled herring, onions, steamed crayfish, honey-
sweetened tea, cherry preserves and pitchers of beer all worthy
of a whipping, I think.
And, as Sax testifies after a beating from the banshik (sauna
master), After a few hours in the banya, each bite tastes more
alive than any youve ever had, and the sleep it brings is what
the dead can only dream of.
12 Massage Therapy Canada FaLL 2013
GeT BoGGed down in ireland
If youve ever been to Ireland there are three things that may
race to the forefront of your mind: Guinness, verdant
everything and the smell of burning peat, which permeates
every tiny village and is addictively comforting to inhale.
Returning home on an Air Canada flight from Banff, I
ripped out a feature by Charlene Rooke in enRoute about
Irelands jump onto the spa treatment bandwagon. Irish bath-
houses existed a century ago, and the seaweed soaks of yore are
experiencing a revival.
Rookes account of her Voya treatment at the Ice House
Hotel and Spa was intended to be a recreation of the seaweed
soak. She described a bundle of what resembled dry squid-ink
pasta being placed in hot water. The bundle expands incred-
ibly to become two-metre-long, 15-centimeter-wide green ten-
drils that ooze a silky, aloe vera-like gel and a pongy waterfront
smell. Seaweed harvester Neil Walton explained to her, Were
not going to pretty it up for anybody. This is a wild,
natural product.
A sustainable choice (with a rapid growth recovery like
bamboo), seaweed is a logical and authentic Irish spa prod-
uct. Bladderwack and sea salt scrubs are offered at private
golf clubs, rivalling the resurgence of peat. Some locals up the
ante eating a spoonful of peat a day. Rooke discovered that
bog peat replaces toxins (positive ions) with minerals (negative
ions) like magnesium, copper, manganese and zinc.
 If youre eager for an organic skin detox, a good dose of peat
power or a peat wrap could sucker punch acne, psoriasis and
eczema to the curb. And then you can have a pint of Guinness
to cure anything else that might ail you.
roll in The hay in norThern iTaly
Dina Bennett, a Matador freelancer and author of Peking to
Paris: Life and Love on a Short Drive Around the World, received
her bit of bliss from Italys South Tyrolean farmers. Hay baths
have been a long-reputed folk cure for rheumatism and arthritis
and an ideal excuse for socializing.
When not trotting around the latitude lines, Bennett lives on
a ranch in Colorado and was leery of the healing virtues of hay.
I know for a fact its prickly stalks are more likely to induce
allergic reactions than soothe, she was quoted as saying. Bath
attendants deliver 10-gallon cauldrons of hay that have been
steaming for two hours. Bennett describes the fragrant cloud
redolent of ladies mantle and mountain arnica, thyme and
cinquefoil. Its grassy, fresh, an alpine meadow in a pot.But this
is highly regulated fodder, subject to Italian government regula-
tions on content, altitude and minimum distance from roads at
which the grass, with its 40 native herbs, can grow.
Dark green wet hay is first spread on a waterbed. Bathers lie
on top of the hay and are covered with more hot hay before a
flannel blanket is placed on top. A vinyl sheet is the top layer,
Lackner massage fall 13.indd 1
sealing in the vital heat. The combination of heat, naturally aro-
matic hay and the rough, scratchy texture provides a 25-minute
sensory stimulant. As Bennett muses, I think this is what it
must feel like to be a tea bag.
Finding rejuvenation through body treatments when we travel
is essential for self-care and career sustainability, and an inad-
vertent learning tool for massage therapists. Knowledge always
sneaks in, and experiencing global traditions can add a dynamic
and unexpected twist to your practice.
Where are you going to shvitz next? Ill be soaking in the geo-
thermal waters of the Blue Lagoon in Iceland this fall, continu-
ing my vocation vacation the ongoing search for total mind
and body satiation.
Jules Torti has been an RMT since 1999 and a free-
lance writer since age six. In between massage
engagements, she travels to Africa to be with chim-
panzees and writes about her zany travels for
Matador Network.
For more on wellness, visit
www.massagetherapycanada.com
Massage Therapy Canada FaLL 2013 13
2013-09-24 8:47 AM
Feature By Chris oConnor

Touching addiction
rMt treatment for recovering addicts requires
more than technique

F
or the last 14 years I have had a very unique clinic space located inside the Homewood Health
Centre in Guelph, Ont. The Homewood Health Centre is one of very few private health-care facilities
in Canada specializing in the treatment of addictions, eating disorders, trauma/PTSR (post traumatic
stress recovery), chronic pain and psychiatric disorders. RMT services have been provided out of
this facility for almost 20 years the demographic certainly creating an out-of-the-ordinary setting for a
massage practice.

In this three-part series I would like to share some of my
experiences, and just a little of what I have learned treating
people from three of Homewoods programs: addictions,
eating disorders and trauma/PTSR.
addiCTions
Addiction should never be treated as a crime. It has to
be treated as a health problem. Ralph Nader, political
activist
Individuals suffering from addiction come from all
walks of life any gender, every culture and all ages.
It is an illness that is not limited to the stereotypically
portrayed images of street drugs and alcohol abuse.
Gambling, prescription medications, compulsive sexual
behaviour, work, shopping and exercise addictions are
also seeing a steady rise. Dr. Gabor Mat, a pre-eminent
figure in the field of addiction counselling, admits his
own unusual addiction to classical music. The diversity
of the afflictions reminds us as practitioners to treat the
individual with the disease, not the disease itself.
The majority of clients who find themselves at
Homewood have never before sought professional
treatment. These clients are vulnerable and demand a
great deal of compassion and professionalism from their
health-care team. Admitting that we all display some
form of addictive behaviour is an important first step
toward maintaining a non-judgmental composure. It is
critical to engender feelings of safety and respect so clients
may accept you as part of their healing process. While
enduring rigorous treatment protocols, offering your
clients a reprieve from the hardest parts of recovery will
make you a part of the solution, rather than another part
of the problem.
Massage therapists treating clients suffering from
addictions should remember to have greater-than-average
discipline with treatment room banter. Just as an alcoholic
is encouraged to avoid bars and social events where
drinking is commonplace, so too must the practitioner
take great care not to casually discuss drinking with a
client who is struggling with recovery. Best not to wear
your favourite golf shirt emblazoned with the Guinness or
Sleeman or Molson brands either.
Treatment room disclosure from clients, however, is not
uncommon and can create an awkward situation. It is a
delicate negotiation to be able to offer a supportive and
compassionate ear without overstepping the therapeutic
boundaries. Massage therapists are not psychotherapists.
Disclosures regarding illegal activities, violations of the
Homewood facilitys rules or potentially abusive situations
create ethical and legal dilemmas for a therapist. Threat
of violence to another or oneself is an absolute must as
far as reporting is concerned but what is a therapist
to do if an addict admits they have smuggled alcohol or
street drugs into their addiction program? Being privy
to pillow talk presents some ethical conundrums. At
the risk of becoming the informer and jeopardizing
your therapeutic relationship, it is important to know
when safety measures should be taken and treatment staff
informed.
How does a massage therapist negotiate universal
precautions when treating a population with addictions
that put them at greater risk of HIV and hepatitis C
infections? My professional experience tells me the risk of
transmission of either of these viral infections while giving
a massage treatment is so low that no unusual precautions
need be taken. It is very important for the clients in these
programs to feel worthy of respect, and not to be judged
or feared. If you find yourself worried in any way about
working with this population, it would probably be best
to refer to another therapist.

14 Massage Therapy Canada FaLL 2013

Treatment room disclosure by clients is not uncommon. Its a delicate balance for massage therapists to offer a compassionate ear without
overstepping therapeutic boundaries.
TreaTmenT
Not feeling is no replacement for reality. Larry Michael
Dredla, author
As manual therapists we are in a privileged, and
important, position to help those recovering from addiction
reconnect with their bodies. After years of neglect, self-
medicating (numbing), and commonly co-morbid abusive
circumstances, many clients have lost touch with their
bodies. They may no longer be attuned to how their body is
functioning. They may no longer be feeling at all. At this
time of reconnection with feeling at all levels, positive touch
can be immensely important.
No particular techniques are needed, no extra courses are
necessary just a willingness to have the added sensitivity
this group requires. In the beginning, I typically focus on
full body relaxation treatments to help with the reconnection
process, before moving slowly into treatment of specific
conditions. This important burgeoning of awareness can also
be a good time to seize a teaching moment. By sharing our
knowledge of the body and its systems, we can help educate
clients and inspire them to take better care of themselves.
Keeping in mind that we are working with individuals
who may still have some impulse control challenges, we
need to be aware that some will go overboard with the
treatment and with advice on homecare that we provide.
The deeper the better, is often the request regarding
pressure during treatment. Because these individuals have
been numb to touch for some time, the belief is that they
should really be able to feel the treatment for it to
be effective.
As many of us know, too much pressure can have a
negative effect and, in this situation, might leave the
client tempted to seek out something more nefarious to
help ease the pain.
Weight gain is one of the most common, and
frustrating, side-effects of the pharmaceuticals used
to treat people recovering from addiction. The side-
effects of the meds, coupled with a common tendency
to replace one substance with another, i.e., sugar-loaded
food for alcohol or drugs, contribute to weight gain and
concomitant body image issues. Body image insecurities
and shyness create another delicate situation requiring
your patience and compassion. We must be mindful of
these sensitivities when treating areas where the client may
have put on weight, and never assume the client will feel
comfortable enough to mention their sensitivities.
A good percentage of my clients fall into this category,
and I have found that some will not reveal their insecurity
but react when I am working on certain areas of the body
some have actually apologized for their appearance. I
always remind clients that this, too, is part of the process
of healing but encourage them to talk to their doctor and
support team if they feel that overeating has become a
new problem.
Massage Therapy Canada FaLL 2013 15
KnowledGe is power
Dr. Mat, a Hungarian-born Canadian physician, author
and public speaker, specializes in the study and treatment
of addiction. Dr. Mat is widely recognized for his unique
and controversial perspective on addiction, attention deficit
disorder and chronic disease. He is a firm believer in the
connection between mind and body health. His book, In the
Realm of Hungry Ghosts, should be the first on your reading
list if you choose to work with this unique population. Here
is an eye-opening excerpt:
These...are the traits that most often underline the addiction
process: poor self-regulation; lack of basic differentiation;
lack of a healthy sense of self; a sense of deficient emptiness;
and impaired impulse control...there is no mystery about
the circumstances under which the positive qualities of self-
regulation, self-worth, differentiation and impulse control fail
to develop. Any gardener knows that if a plant hasnt grown,
most likely the conditions were lacking. The same goes for
children. The addictive personality is a personality that hasnt
matured. When we come to address healing, a key question will
be how to promote maturity in ourselves or in others whose early
environment sabotaged healthy emotional growth.
I strongly support lifelong personal and professional
development, for my well-being and the well-being of
those I treat. My outlook is useful when fielding difficult
questions from some very unhappy and unhealthy clients. As

a CenTury of Care
Homewood Health Centre has been treating patients for addic-
tion since 1883. The programs offered are part of a continuum
of care for addicted individuals and family members encom-
passing: prevention and health promotion; harm reduction;
abstinence-based residential; and out-patient treatment and
follow-up.
In-patient services are for adults who suffer from chemical
addictions including specialized tracks for health care profes-
sionals and those suffering from concurrent psychiatric disor-
ders (if psychiatrically stable).
The Homewood Addiction Division Services (HADS) are
founded on two underlying principles: abstinence and lifestyle
change. Both factors are equally important for successful recov- Figure 1 illustrates that HADS patients displayed positive rates
ery from addiction. of improvement (greater than 76 per cent) for all outcome
indicators.
Program trends and patient characteristics
894 patients were discharged from HADS in 2013 aged
19 to 71, with 63.1 per cent being male.
Individuals come to HADS on their own volition and the
program length is 34 days.
Individuals seek treatment for addiction/dependency, while
some may also have specific psychiatric symptoms. The
most common concurrent psychiatric disorders are mood
disorders and anxiety disorders.
50 per cent of HADS patients have had prior admissions to
an in-patient mental health treatment setting at some point
in their lifetime.

Clinically observed outcomes
The Resident Assessment Instrument-Mental Health (RAI-
MH) is a comprehensive, standardized instrument evaluating
symptoms and functioning, socio- demographics, behaviours,
prior experiences and interventions. The outcomes reflect the
percentage of patients whose difficulty with certain symptoms
or functioning improved from admission to discharge. (See
Figure 1)
Patient short-term outcomes
HADS patients are asked to rate the degree to which they feel
they have achieved several short-term outcomes at the time of
discharge. The following graph displays the percentages of those
who had above average responses for six outcome domains.
(See Figure 2 )
Figure 2 illustrates that HADS patients displayed positive
rates of achievement (greater than 90 per cent) for all six
short-term outcomes.
Patient ratings of treatment
Patient ratings of how well treatment met their needs for main
addictions, other addictions and psychiatric disorders are con-
sidered key indicators of service quality.
99 per cent of patients felt treatment met their main
addictions needs.
90 per cent of patients felt treatment met their other
addictions needs.
77 per cent of patients felt treatment met their psychiatric
disorders needs.

16 Massage Therapy Canada FaLL 2013

Dr. Mat mentions, although you may
be treating adults, certain aspects of
personalities may have been arrested at
less mature stages. Addicts in recovery
are often searching for answers, goals
and new directions in life.
Homewood Health Centre is located in
Guelph, Ont.
Many years ago, I attended a lecture
by a doctor who specialized in treating
people with addictions. He made
an analogy that I remember to this
day: Addicts are like alligators. At
some point during their development,
addicts have lost the ability to warm
themselves from within, and are
always looking for an external source
of warmth. He said, If we take an
alligator from Florida, fly them to
Winnipeg in the middle of winter
and tie them up in the driveway,
no amount of counselling, manual
treatment, reading or recreation
therapy is going to save the alligator
from the cold. It needs heat to survive.
This is the biggest goal of all therapies:
to help those suffering from addiction
learn how to warm themselves from
within.
to attract to our business is crucial.
Populations in need of evolving care
provide an excellent opportunity for
a therapist growing their practice to
reach out. People with addictions are a
demographic often misunderstood and
overlooked in our communities. Find a
support group and offer your services.
Be prepared to show your respect and
compassion for the complexity of their
challenges.
This is also a great opportunity to
put together an outreach program. A
colleague of mine, an LMT (licensed
massage therapist) in New York City,
puts together a free clinic on the
second Thursday of each month for
those suffering from addiction and
post-traumatic stress many of whom
are homeless. The therapists who
participate volunteer their time. It is
incredibly rewarding work, helps those
in need, and is often an eye-opening
experience for therapists who attend. It
has become so popular with therapists
in the community that there are
sometimes more practitioners
than clients.
We all know of someone whose
life has been affected by addiction;
no one is immune to this pathology.
With good training, a compassionate
demeanour, and a commitment to
ongoing personal education and
development, manual therapists can be
an invaluable part of recovery for each
individual encountering addiction. I
hope you will feel inspired to reach out
to this population, offering them the
power and relief that your hands and
your knowledge can provide.
This article was edited by Heather
MacRae.
Chris OConnor is a
registered massage
therapist, public speaker,
osteopathic practitioner,
provider and instructor of
contemporary medical acupuncture.
For more information, visit
www.chrisoconnorconsulting.com.
For more on education,visit
massagetherapycanada.com

GrowTh opporTuniTy
The Homewood Health Centre is
a haven for those recovering from
addiction. Clients are in-patients
taking time away from many of their
life stressors. Many are anxious about
leaving the safety net of doctors,
nurses, counsellors and therapists,
and will leave the facility in need of
ongoing support.
As most RMTs are small business
owners, finding new demographics

Massage Therapy Canada FaLL 2013 17

Feature By donaLd Quinn diLLon

Claims crisis
in health insurance
Opportunity for profession to galvanize

W
hat if insurance claims for massage therapy services were no longer accepted? What if
employers with a surplus of workers didnt need to offer employee benefits for retention, or if
they perceived massage therapy claims are expensive, riddled with fraud, with no evidence of
direct benefit to the employee? How would this scenario affect the lifeblood of your practice?

The denial and limitation of insurance claims for massage
therapy care appears to be increasing with alarming concern.
Insurers are concerned about fraud and skeptical of wide-
ranging treatment plans not supported by evidence or
clinical guidelines. Insurers expect comprehensive patient
receipts that ensure treatments are medically necessary,
and they are critical of the slow progress of massage therapy
regulation, varied educational requirements from province
to province, and the absence of national representation.
Growing insurer skepticism of the benefits of massage
therapy care affects claims for employee health benefits, auto
insurance and workers compensation.
Massage therapists rely heavily on their patients access
to employee health benefits, and the implications to
massage therapists practice of diminishing coverage are
severe. Massage therapists cite largely anecdotal evidence
of improved patient outcomes and defend their validity in
the public eye as regulated health professionals (in three
provinces: Ontario, British Columbia and Newfoundland/
Labrador). However, the resources to organize experts
across the profession to create treatment guidelines backed
by available evidence appear unfocused or unavailable.
Although massage therapists are currently regulated in three
provinces, they have not been welcomed into provincial

18 Massage Therapy Canada FaLL 2013

health care funding save a provision for low-income
citizens of British Columbia or hospitals, community
care centres or medical clinics. Insurers and employers
are looking for proof of positive effect and a return on
investment in employee benefit plans, but the profession, in
its current state of organization, cant provide it.
Massage therapists are critical of insurers that lack training
in making clinical judgments as to the appropriateness of
care, and seem unaware or not interested in the credentials
of registered massage therapists (RMTs). Denial of claims
appears, in some cases, arbitrary. Fee guidelines for
massage therapy services posted by insurance companies
are considerably below those posted by RMT professional
associations. Insurers perceptions relayed by massage
therapists submitting claims suggest pejorative images of
hedonistic luxury, fraudulent indulgence and palliative, not
curative, care.
Without the triad of a degree-level program, evidence-
based practice and political clout, the massage therapy
profession cant bring much to the table. Insurers proclaim
a wounded confidence in the professions credibility
and professionalism. Yet, perhaps this insurance crisis
can become an essential driver in finally galvanizing the
profession. In a profession where practitioners in sole or
small group practices remain largely unengaged, ignorant
of or disinterested in the political issues that affect them,
perhaps such a crisis might ultimately be a good thing for
massage therapists.

opporTuniTy for BeTTer ouTCome

The Canadian Massage Therapist Alliance (CMTA)
serves seven member provinces British Columbia,
Alberta, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick,
Newfoundland/Labrador and Prince Edward Island and
the Northwest Territories. The CMTAs primary objectives
are: preserving and improving insurer relations; supporting
regulation in all provinces; and encouraging research
initiatives. Ontario, with the largest number of RMTs is not
a member. Manitoba and Quebec are also non-members,
and have been extended invitations.
The CMTA has represented member provinces for the last
five years at the conferences of the Canadian Life and Health
Insurance Association, and the Canadian Health Care
Anti-fraud Association. CMTA has gathered information
from insurers regarding their concerns with massage
therapy claims. In response, the CMTA has actively invited
non-participating provinces to get involved in improving
insurer relations, and designed a standard RMT receipt at
the request of insurers. A lot more work and resources are
needed to make inroads to insurer relations.

naTional CollaBoraTion
The Registered Massage Therapist Association of
Ontario (RMTAO) was a member of the CMTA, but
withdrew seven years ago, stating human resource and
financial considerations. The RMTAO maintains, in
other communications, that it believes it can unilaterally
contribute to RMT concerns at a national level, despite
stated resource shortages. There have been numerous

Massage Therapy Canada FaLL 2013 19

invitations to collaborate, but the RMTAO
has repeatedly declined involvement with the
CMTA.
The threat of insurance claim denial to
massage therapists is a national issue and
requires the combined expertise, influence and
resources of all the provinces and territories.
The problem is illuminated in a recent post
by an Ontario RMT (with initials, H.C.)
on Facebook: I treat clients at a software
company 1 to 2 times per month and now
my work there is on hold because almost all
of my clients at that office are currently being
audited One employee (described how) his
submissions were declined for massage and
chiropractic at another office. The employees
are very frustrated right now, (they experience)
crazy deadlines, work overtime constantly and
sit at a computer 8 to 12 hours per day
they all need treatment just to maintain work
productivity.
In an auto-insurance case earlier this year, I
submitted a treatment plan that was outside
the Minor Injury Guideline, because the
claimant had numerous previous injuries
and health complications that I felt qualified
her for a greater level of intervention. The
physiotherapist and physician came to similar National collaboration among the associations is needed to move the
conclusions, but the insurer promptly denied the plan. The profession forward.
plan was eventually approved by an independent examiner,
but the insurer would only pay the maximum hourly rate Research Symposium. Perhaps IN-CAM can draw the
a full 35 per cent less of the RMTAOs posted fee rate for brightest minds across Canada to create therapeutic
my services. Despite the resources available to the insurance guidelines based on evidence, collate all available evidence
company and the provision in the professional services and make it available in a databank to massage therapists for
fee guidelines that they could pay the full amount they direct use in their practice.
dumped the responsibility of co-payment onto the claimant. Perhaps the most compelling reason for collaboration
The claimant, overwhelmed by loss of work recovering from is to bring isolated massage practitioners from across the
this injury and years of health-related issues, was unable to country into discussions about the critical issues facing the
pay. I was stuck with the loss. profession. We can dialogue, debate and eventually reach
The CMTA is already in place, but hamstrung without decisions on those issues that have dogged us for decades,
full participation of massage therapy associations from all and then focus the resources to act on solutions.
the provinces and territories. Only with collaboration and An insurance claims crisis squarely faces massage therapists
sharing of resources can the massage therapy profession across Canada, but it could be a galvanizing force to finally
engage the government, insurers and gatekeeper health bring all stakeholders in the profession together. Contact
disciplines in a dialogue about the strengths of massage your professional association today and tell them you want
therapists and their place in public health and citizen in on this plan for national collaboration.
wellness. Public and media campaigns can be generated
and shared across all associations avoiding duplicity in Donald Quinn Dillon is a registered massage
resources while improving our public image and negating therapist, author and speaker. You can contact
ill perceptions. him through his website,
In addition to the CMTA, other profession-evolving MassageTherapistPractice.com.
initiatives are afoot. The Inter-Jurisdictional Competencies
championed by the Massage Therapy Consortium
currently in the three regulated provinces precipitates
reform in the way massage therapists are educated, and may
lead the way to national entry-to-practice examinations To view other articles by
and massage therapy program accreditation. The Canadian Donald Quinn Dillon, visit
Interdisciplinary Network for Complementary and
Alternative Medicine Research holds a biennial IN-CAM
www.massagetherapycanada.com

20 Massage Therapy Canada FaLL 2013

Feature By LLoyd Manning

In-home
massage therapy practice, part 2
space needs and design criteria

T
he location of the therapeutic massage practice office within the walls of your residence and its
layout could be problematic. Simply selecting an underused space and adapting it to your existing
environment without proper planning or a needs and intended use assessment seldom works.
Before tearing down walls or hiring tradesmen, take time to assess your requirements and their
compatibility with your living requirements. Eliminate the frivolous and prioritize the remainder. Here are
a few tips on developing the home office.

Determine the amount of space you really need. Be
generous but remember that any space taken reduces home
usage and comfort level. Consider the additional cost of
heat, lighting, air conditioning, maintenance and all that
goes with the operation of your massage practice.
Be innovative in your design. Work around what you
currently have. Location and layout is often dictated by
available space, not by what is ideal. Build and furnish for
efficiency. Design around the furniture and fixtures that
you have or intend to acquire, not the other way around.
Be neat and modern but cost-conscious.
Develop a well-thought-out floor plan. This

Building your home-based massage practice requires careful planning.

Massage Therapy Canada FaLL 2013 21

includes all of the areas to be used for your office and
living accommodation. Draw it on paper to scale. From
cardboard, cut out miniature furniture and fixtures that
you currently own or will acquire to the same scale as your
floor plan. Next, move them around on your drawing until
everything fits the way you want it to.
Include sufficient storage area. Even if you do not sell
products, over the years you will amass great piles of paper.
Be sure to allocate space for that.
Distinguish home from office. Separation between
family living areas and your massage therapy practice is
vital. There should be a designated area in which you meet
and attend to clients without disturbance from family
members. The layout, the access, the convenience, the
facilities and the furniture selected should reflect
your professionalism.
A well-planned home office is one in
which you enjoy working and your
clients appreciate being.
Mind the look and feel. Physical appearance is
important. You want to be upscale, neat, clean and
professional, yet, not so posh that clients will steer clear.
The office, its appointments and the furniture should be
in the middle of the road. Your work environment cannot
be hazardous to your health. A well-planned home office is
one in which you enjoy working and in which your clients
appreciate being.
Think of convertibility. Allow for changing needs.
When you renovate the home for office use, always bear
in mind three things: first you want to build for your
personal use and the convenience of your clients and
family; second, someday you will want to sell that house;
third, someday you may wish to rent out the property.
Will you be able to earn a fair return on your investment?
Bear in mind that on a resale you will have returned only
a small percentage of the cost of your improvements.
Therefore, you want the best you can get for the
fewest dollars.
Some things are not meant to be. Never try to
redevelop a basement that is damp or musty-smelling, with
poor access, low ceilings or other unsuitable characteristics.
You will never end up with anything satisfactory.
Know the rules. Before you start, ensure your plan
meets all applicable codes building, electrical, plumbing,
fire, health. If it does not, authorities will shut you down.
Often with older homes, the cost of bringing them up
to code is prohibitive and could kill the viability of the
in-home office development.
Consider accessibility. As some of your clients may be
disabled, allow for chair lifts and ramps, if possible. Safety
and convenience are always prime considerations.
Calculating costs. When estimating the cost of
22 Massage Therapy Canada FaLL 2013
renovating for your practice, get the best quotes you can
and double them. If its an older house, add another 50 per
cent. You will not be that far out. Dont forget soft costs.
These include design cost if you hire an outsider to do
it building permits, licences and additional insurance.
Never agree to a cost-plus contract or employ a fly-by-
night home renovator. This is the best way to get hosed.
Amortize the cost of improvements. As it is allowable
for income tax purposes and will act as a check on the
wisdom of making the investment, amortize (or depreciate)
the cost of the improvements at a competitive rate of
interest, over a five-year, but never more than 10-year,
period. Add to the amortization the cost of space rent
what you would have to pay if you were to rent. Add the
projected building operating costs. The time frame would
be a normal lease period in the property of another. A
competitive rate of interest is what you could have earned
if buying a Grade A bond. The monthly amortization
amount can be obtained from a set of mortgage payment
tables, available from most stationary stores or from your
accountant.
For example, if your cost of improvements is $20,000,
at six per cent interest for five years, the monthly
amortization would be $386.66. For 10 years, it would be
$222.04. Assume a total liquidation of the investment. As
it is for business purposes, the Canada Revenue Agency
will allow you to deduct office expenses, whether at home
or elsewhere. Charge your practice rent and operating
costs. Always keep your office and personal living expenses
separate. You, too, could be audited.
Always make a comparison of your amortization
and operating costs with the cost to rent an office in
a good location, of the same size and with equivalent
appointments. For example, assume your improvements
amortization is $387 per month, space rent to yourself
$300, and extra utilities, taxes, insurance and monthly
property costs are, say $100, your total direct cost would
be $787 per month. If your office space is 500 square feet,
this is equivalent to a rental of $18.89 per square foot per
annum. It aint cheap. If it is necessary to borrow all of
your development costs from a bank, leasing could be less
expensive.
Balancing a career and home life can be challenging, but
with proper planning, it can be rewarding.
Lloyd Manning is a semi-retired business,
commercial real estate appraiser and financial
analyst. His newest book, Winning With
Commercial Real Estate The Ins and Outs of
Making Money In Commercial Properties, is
available online from Indigo-Chapters. He can be reached at
lloydmann@shaw.ca.
For more on business,
visit www.massagetherapycanada.com
 October 18 - 20, 2013

UNITING INTEGRATIVE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS

ONE Concept Conferences welcomes all Integrative Health Professions

JOIN US!!!
www.oneconcept.com

Platinum sPonsors media sPonsors sPonsors

 The ONE Concept Group is pleased to announce the return of The Canadian Massage & Chiropractic Conference,
WelComeOctober 18-20, 2013 in beautiful Niagara Falls Canada.

The Sheraton On The Falls Conference Centre & Casino will be the location for the 2013 Conference. This world
class facility is located in Niagara Falls. Canadas # 1 tourist destination.
WELCOME
The Sheraton boasts some of Niagara Falls greatest attractions including The Hard Rock Caf, Planet Hollywood,
Rainforest Caf, the magnificent Hersheys store and the Fallsview Indoor Waterpark. The
Niagara region is also host to over 70 wineries and over 30 Golf Courses.
The ONE Concept Group is pleased to announce the return of The Canadian Massage & Chiropractic Conference,
Our Conference admission includes access to the trade hall floor for all 3 days, which houses over 100 booths
October 18-20, 2013 in beautiful Niagara Falls Canada.
and tables, access to all of the FREE 1 hour presentations for Chiropractic and Massage, and 1 lunch voucher.
The Sheraton
Attendees On The
can also FallstoConference
choose add workshops Centre
and full daywill
& Casino be the
classes tolocation for the 2013
their experience. WeConference. This world
have also implemented
class
the ONEfacility is located
Concept Pass in Niagara
which is a Falls. Canadasall-inclusive
full weekend, # 1 tourist destination.
pass for attendees to access as many paid classes,
free
Theclasses,
Sheratontrade showsome
boasts and oflunch for 3Falls
Niagara days.greatest attractions including The Hard Rock Caf, Planet Hollywood,

WeRainforest
have someCaf, theworlds
of the magnificent
most Hersheys store
sought after and the teaching
educators Fallsview at
Indoor Waterpark. The
our Conference this year, an opportunity
Niagara region is also host to over 70 wineries and over 30 Golf Courses.
for Health Professionals to learn from some of the pioneers in our field.
Our Conference admission includes access to the trade hall floor for all 3 days, which houses over 100 booths
Our reach is to Health Professionals in Canada and the US. With Media Sponsors in both countries, our event is
and tables, access to all of the FREE 1 hour presentations for Chiropractic and Massage, and 1 lunch voucher.
well advertised and well respected in our industry.
Attendees can also choose to add workshops and full day classes to their experience. We have also implemented
the
For ONE
our Conceptwe
Exhibitors, havewhich
Pass is a fullan
customized weekend, all-inclusivepackage
entire destination pass forincluding
attendees to access
meals as many paid classes,
and accommodation along
free
with classes,
booth trade
space andshow and lunch
discounts for 3attractions.
on local days.

We have some of the worlds most sought after educators teaching at our Conference this year, an opportunity
It is ONE Concepts mission to unite multiple Health Professions, and aid them in achieving the same end result.
for Health Professionals to learn from some of the pioneers in our field.
overall health.
Our reach is to Health Professionals in Canada and the US. With Media Sponsors in both countries, our event is
Wewell
invite you to join
advertised andus in respected
well Niagara Falls in October,
in our industry.to help us grow and further our professions, with the
education and products needed for us all to promote a healthy lifestyle.
For our Exhibitors, we have customized an entire destination package including meals and accommodation along
with booth space and discounts on local attractions.

Yours in Good
It is ONE Health,mission to unite multiple Health Professions, and aid them in achieving the same end result.
Concepts
overall
The ONE health.
Concept Group
We invite you to join us in Niagara Falls in October, to help us grow and further our professions, with the
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Yours in Good Health,
The ONE Concept Group
ONE CONCEPT FUTURE CONFERENCES:
!"#$%&'%()$%*"& may 16-18 2014 | atlanta, Ga
FUTURE CONFERENCES INCLUDE:
+",-$&.#//$& september 19-21 2014 | san diego, Ca
September 13-15 2013 | San Diego, CA
0"$)1%&'%()$%*"23"#14)/55)& May 16-18 2014 | Atlanta, GA
october 24-26, 2014 | niagara Falls, Canada
September 19-21 2014 | San Diego, CA October 24-26 2014 | Niagara Falls, Canada
61"**&7%#*$%55&

FUTURE CONFERENCES INCLUDE:

September 13-15 2013 | San Diego, CA May 16-18 2014 | Atlanta, GA
October 18-20, 2013
September 19-21 2014 | San Diego, CA October 24-26 2014 | Niagara Falls, Canada

Canadian Massage Conference

Canadian Chiropractic Conference

October 18-20, 2013

Canadian Massage Conference
Canadian Chiropractic Conference

24 Massage Therapy Canada FaLL 2013

FatTool_QuartPgAd_Sept2013.indd 1 2013-09-23 8:54 AM
 speakers

andrea Collins dennis Buckley George roth Felicia Brown John mulligan

angie dubis Chris nentarz James meschino Fabrizio mancini mike reed

Barry Jennings eric Plasker Kenzo Kase James Waslaski Phil scolieri

Bruce Baltz andreo spina drew Freedman Jamie richards ruxandra Cipriani

david marcarian don dillon James donovan Fiona rattray Whitney lowe

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WorKshoPs

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18TH

7:30 AM 8:30 AM 9:00 AM 9:30 AM 10:00 AM 10:30 AM 11:00 AM 11:30 AM 12:00 PM 12:30 PM 01

registration
opens

strategy room 2

2 hour Bob Poirier/Bill Leonhardt

strategy room 1
classes Build the Clinic of Your dreams

Fallsview Barry Jennings

studio a, B, C Visceral manipulation

upper Fallsview
workshops

studio B
3 hour

strategy Andreo Spina

room 5 & 6 Connective tissue Continuity ~ how it affect

strategy David Marcarian

room 7 intro to e-scan and how small semG technology Wor

Andrea Collins Dr. Cohen

strategy
massage smarter not What Computers
room 2
harder are doing

Eric Plasker Kira Bailey

strategy
living & Practicing Care for those with
room 3
100 Year lifestyle adhd
FREE presentations
1 hour

strategy Whitney Lowe

room 7 maximizing the Web

upper
Fallsview
studio a

upper Adam Bogar

Anne Turn
Fallsview soft tissue
dealing with
studio B treatment

3rd Floor
Great room

26 Massage Therapy Canada FaLL 2013

 WorKshoPs

1:00 PM 01:30 PM 02:00 PM 02:30 PM 03:00 PM 03:30 PM 04:00 PM 04:30 PM 05:00 PM 05:30 PM 06:00 PM 06:30 PM 07:00 PM

Bob Poirier/Bill Leonhardt Bob Poirier/Bill Leonhardt

Build the Clinic of Your dreams Build the Clinic of Your dreams

Whitney Lowe
technique synergy: treatment integration for Complex Conditions

Felicia Brown
Free & easy Ways to Promote Yourself

Fiona Rattray
ts our approach Work longer, smarter: Personalized self Care for therapists

rks

Drew Freedman James Waslaski John Mulligan

intro to Kinesiology integrated manual manual lymph
taping therapy drainage

Mike Reid
Jamie Richards
Ruxandra Cipriani millionaire mindset for
start Creating a
aromatherapy healthcare
movement
Professionals

Catherine Wilkinson Don Dillon

integrating laser What i Wished id
therapy learned in school

Phil Scolieri Louise Danieli

myo-release neuro-Proprioceptive
therapy taping

nbull
h toxins

Trade Show Hall OPEN

9pm - FACEBOOK Meet & Greet ~ Hard Rock Caf Club featuring once again, LIVE music by Fidel!

Massage Therapy Canada FaLL 2013 27

WorKshoPs

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19TH

7:30 AM 8:00 AM 8:30 AM 9:00 AM 9:30 AM 10:00 AM 10:30 AM 11:00 AM 11:30 AM 12:00 PM

registration
opens

Full Day strategy Eric Plasker, James Meschino, Dennis Buckley, Mike Reid, Jamie Richards
Course room 2 Full day Chiropractic Connect WithYour Passion & Focus on Your message

Fallsview
John Mulligan
studio
manual lymph drainage & how it Works
a, B, C

strategy James Waslaski

room 3 integrated manual therapy
workshops

Ruxandra Cipriani
3 hour

strategy
aromatherapy: What its all about and
room 1
how to include it in Your Practice

upper
James Donovan
Fallsview
introduction to low intensity laser therapy
studio a

strategy
Don Dillon
room
Cam Collaboration and Viable Working models
5&6

strategy
room 1
FREE presentations

Bruce Baltz Felicia

Leslie Trotter
strategy active isolated social
1 hour

Kinesiology tape for

room 7 stretching/hip & low market
Bruising & edema
Back holid

Andreo Spina Fiona

upper Fallsview importance of tissue Persona
studio B specific Palpation Preven
thera

3rd Floor Great room

7:30 PM - ONE Concept Gala ~

28 Massage Therapy Canada FaLL 2013

 WorKshoPs

12:30 PM 01:00 PM 01:30 PM 02:00 PM 02:30 PM 03:00 PM 03:30 PM 04:00 PM 04:30 PM 05:00 PM 05:30 PM 06:00 PM

Dr. Kase
Whitney Lowe
evolution of the
the FaB 4 must have skills of advanced therapy
Kinesiotaping method

Chris Nentarz
Foundations of Kinesiology taping

Phil Scolieri
myofascial release massage

Angie Dubis
15 minute neck &
shoulder Blast

a Brown
Jackie Shakar
media Dr. Roth
instrument assisted
ting for matrix repatterning
soft tissue mob.
days

Rattray
D Dillon,
al injury Sukha Wong
B Locke, L Green
ntion for thai Yoga massage
rmt Claims
apists

Trade Show Hall OPEN

~ Niagara Room at The Crowne Plaza

Massage Therapy Canada FaLL 2013 29

WorKshoPs

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20TH

7:30 AM 8:00 AM 8:30 AM 9:00 AM 9:30 AM 10:00 AM 10:30 AM 11:00 AM 11:30 AM

registration
opens

Full Day
Course strategy
Strategy room 1
Room 1

Fallsview
Dr. George Roth
studio
matrix repatterning
workshops

a, B, C
3 hour

strategy
Andrea Collins
room
massage smarter not harder: side lying
5&6

strategy Barry Jennings Angie Dubis

room 2 headaches Breath release
FREE presentations

Fab Mancini James Meschino

strategy
1 hour

10 BiG mistakes in nutrition &

room 3
Practice supplementation

Gadsby/Grisewood
strategy
Par & shockwave
room 7
therapy

3rd Floor Great Room

30 Massage Therapy Canada FaLL 2013

Myo Ad.indd 1 2013-09-20 8:46 AM
 WorKshoPs

12:00 PM 12:30 PM 01:00 PM 01:30 PM 02:00 PM 02:30 PM 03:00 PM 03:30 PM 04:00 PM 04:30 PM 05:00 PM

James Waslaski
integrated manual therapy for Pelvic stabilization

Drew Freedman
introduction to Kinesiology taping theory & application

Andreo Spina
Connective tissue Continuity ~ how it affects our approach

rmtao

Shawn Thistle
Lloyd List
discussing spinal
occlusion strapping
applications

Jackie Shakar
instrument assisted
soft tissue mob.

Trade Show Hall OPEN

Massage Therapy Canada FaLL 2013 31

CommunitY room

A message from the Founder of ONE Concept Community Room

It was just a year ago when I was introduced to the Community Acupuncture Model, a
social business model that delivers affordable health care and living wage jobs. It is a place
where you can engage in a treatment that some people would never be able to afford. It is
a shared space where a collective healing energy is created by both its participants and
its practitioners.
The concept resonated with me so clearly that as a Multi-Disciplined Practitioner with
education in Massage, Aromatherapy, Fitness, Homoeopathy, Esthetics and Endermologie
accompanied by a firm belief in all Natural Disciplines, I thought, why cant we create this
health care model for ALL practitioners? It was then that The ONE Concept Community
Room was born.

The ONE Concept Community Room

A place where Integrative Health Care Professionals of all walks of life collectively come
together in an open forum to treat, collaborate and engage in the wellbeing of their clients.

The ONE Concept Community Classroom

Where Health Care Practitioners are provided a forum to enlighten, inspire, elevate and
educate their peers, clients and colleagues from all disciplines and beliefs. Our goal is to
provide a better understanding of each other and show that, united, we can be the leading
voice in health care.

Our Mission
To provide Integrative Health Care to our Community in an open, collective healing
environment where Practitioners and clients communicate, collaborate, respect and engage
in each others energy and knowledge for an ultimate healing experience.

Treatments offered in The ONE Concept Community Room

Chiropractic, Acupuncture, Massage Therapy, SPA, Energy Work, Thai Massage, Yoga
Movement, Osteopathy....any and all care that contributes to our Communitys health and
wellbeing.

Length of Treatments
Each treatment is approximately 15 to 30 minutes in length.

Treatment Cost
We request that a $10.00 donation for each 15 minute treatment be made to the charities of
ONE Concept.
Ask us about Community Room Membership Fees at participating ONE Concept
Community Wellness Centers.
ONE of the most incredible experiences as a natural health care practitioner is knowing
that I am NOT alone. I am blessed to be surrounded by the greatest minds and expertise of
so many passionate health care providers of all disciplines who ultimately have the same
goal as I: to provide our clients with a choice, give them guidance to awaken their bodies,
their minds and their spirits so that they can heal and live to their fullest potential.

With Gratitude,
Monica Pasinato-Forchielli
Founder ONE Concept Community Room
BOOK YOUR TREATMENT IN THE ONE CONCEPT COMMUNITY ROOM ONLINE NOW AT:
www.oneconcept.com/community-room/nf

32 Massage Therapy Canada FaLL 2013

 Free student daY

Presents FREE STUDENT DAY

MASSAGE THERAPY CHIROPRACTIC

SMART FROM THE START STUDENT DAY STUDENT CHIROPRACTORS ON THE ROAD TO
DATE: Sunday, October 20, 2013 EXCELLENCE (SCORE)
TIME: 10:00 AM With Dr. Dennis Buckley
PLACE: Niagara room at Crowne Plaza DATE: Sunday, October 20, 2013
WHO: All Massage Therapy Students and TIME: 9:00 AM
recent graduates of Massage PLACE: Brock Room at Crowne Plaza
Therapy
WHO: All Chiropractic Students and recent
WHY: ITS FREE, PRIZES, EDUCATION, SWAG BAGS graduates of Chiropractic
WHY: ITS FREE, PRIZES, EDUCATION, SWAG BAGS

SPONSORED BY:
BIOFREEZE, Family Massage Therapy, RMTAO, Lackner McLennan, Bon Vital, Biotone, Vitality Depot

Experience the Power of Matrix Repatterning

and Become the Pain Solution Expert
Gentle, Eective, Easy on the Practitioner
Matrix Repatterning, developed by Dr. George Roth DC ND is a clinically-proven
form of manual therapy that addresses structural imbalance at the cellular level.
Matrix Repatterning is a rational, logical
jewel of a technique with reproducible
Learn to provide real clinical solutions for the following conditions:
results. It is well suited to massage therapists
Low Back Pain Headache, Migraine, TMJ palpation skills. After treatment, results
Hip & Knee Pain Frozen Shoulder, Carpal Tunnel include increased range of motion and
Dr. George Roth
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the client and the therapist. The material is
These practical, hands-on seminars will provide the practitioner well-presented, clear and interesting. This is a
with the clinical skills to effectively assess and treat the underlying wonderful addition to any RMTs repertoire.
cause of these and many other conditions. You will be able to Fiona Rattray, RMT
Linda Ludwig, RMT
apply these skills immediately following the seminar.
Authors: Clinical Massage Therapy
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
Here is an objective method for diagnosing
Introduction to Matrix RepatterningLower Extremity
and safely treating a variety of musculo-
Dates: December 6-7, 2013 Visit us at the Massage Therapy & skeletal malfunctions that will be useful for
January 10-11, 2014 Chiropractic Conference: clinicians. It tells you how to find themand
Location: Newmarket, Ontario October 18-20th how to treat them. Try it. It works!
Cost: $ 697 Niagara Falls, Ontario Dr. Stephen Levin, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
$ 497 (If payment is received 30 days prior to seminar start date)

For more information or to register please visit our website: www.matrixrepatterning.com or

contact us at: Telephone: 905-836-WELL (9355), Toll-Free: 1-877-905-7684
Email: info@matrixrepatterning.com

Massage Therapy Canada FaLL 2013 33

Floor Plan

An Introduction to IASTM Highlighting

the Graston Technique
Attend a presentation on Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue
Mobilization (IASTM) by Graston Technique Clinical Advisor
Jackie Shakar, DPT, MS, OCS, LAT, LMT, at the 2013 Canadian
Chiropractic and Massage Conference in Niagara Falls.

Sat. Oct. 19 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Sun. Oct. 20 Noon - 1 p.m.

Learn how IASTM is changing the way

RMTs in Canada are treating injuries.
GrastonTechnique.com

34 Massage Therapy Canada FaLL 2013

BOOK STORE

OCTOBER
18-20, 2013
NIAGARA FALLS
ONTARIO, CANADA
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ISBN 978-0-9781193-4-8
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Massage Therapy Canada FaLL 2013 37

RMT Tech Talk
Caring for patient data
makes good business sense
What you are about to read does not constitute legal
advice and each reader is encouraged to seek independent
professional council. It is important to note that each
province has similar but not identical legislation.
We have previously touched on the topic of patient
records privacy in an earlier article, but some things are
just worth saying twice.
Understanding how to properly care for patient
personal health information is important because many
Canadian registered massage therapists (RMT) are likely
in breach of legislation and may not know it. Practitioners
want to better understand the issues so they can ensure
their compliance.
why is This a BiG deal?
As the custodian of your patients personal health-care
data, you are responsible to ensure that you and your
employees, including your third-party service companies,
comply with applicable federal, provincial and territorial
legislations.
Personal health information includes, but is not limited
to the following:
patient health-care appointment records
information relating to the current or historical
state of a patients health
any treatment information that ties a patient name
with their caregiver or clinic
billing information related to patient treatment
In todays electronic world there is a strong focus by
businesses on offset hardware, software and support
costs to a third party. For RMTs, this takes the form
of using online services to book appointments, keep
patient records, billing information and related practice
management data. This practice is highly cost-effective,
time-saving, revenue-positive and safe when done
correctly.
The gist of current legislative thinking is that custodians
of health-care and other personal data had best get
informed and become compliant. The British Columbia
government has legislated safeguards of health data. Public
health data stored with U.S.-owned companies, regardless
of where their servers are located, are subject to disclosure
under the U.S. Patriot Act. B.C. enacted laws to ensure
organizations that maintain and control personal
38 Massage Therapy Canada FaLL 2013
By JessiCa FosTer
information verify it is stored only in Canada, under
Canadian ownership.
If you ask your Canadian service provider to
synchronize your patient appointment calendar to your
Google personal calendar, dont be surprised if they advise
against storing your patient data on U.S.-owned servers.
An RMT would need to get informed and expressed
consent from each patient explaining to patients that
their records are stored on foreign-owned servers and are
not protected under Canadian privacy legislation. You also
need to include this disclaimer in your privacy policy and
post it where it can be viewed.
It isnt hard to imagine that a successful practice would
lose patients once they have been informed that their
health-care records are subject to foreign privacy laws.
where is leGislaTion headed?
Ontario Bill 78, the Electronic Personal Health
Information Protection Act 2013, has passed its first
reading and is awaiting its second. The goal of this
legislation is to establish electronic record keeping, security
and privacy requirements for better integration and to
secure the sharing of patient data amongst professionals.
There are also requirements for health information
custodians (including RMTs) with respect to obligations
and penalties. In addition, it confers new powers for the
Information and Privacy Commissioner. For example, for
those who breach privacy legislation and are convicted,
liabilities will double under the bill up to $100,000 for
an individual and up to $500,000 for an organization.
Other provinces may adopt similar changes.
To be competitive, RMTs should adopt and take
advantage of online services that enhance their practice
they are secure, cost-effective and can provide you and
your patients significant benefits. Just be informed and
choose your service partners wisely.
Until next time, be well.
Jessica Foster writes on behalf of mindZplay
Solutions Inc., a provider of massage therapy
websites and practice management solutions. To
learn more about mindZplay solutions for massage
therapists visit www.massagemanedger.com or call
toll free 888-373-6996.
6 Canadian Campuses

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