Canadian Health
& Business College
Advanced Massage
Therapy Program
Massage Therapy has been shown to reduce anxiety levels. Massage therapy is proposed to positively impact the quality of life and immune function through stress mediation. Massage is used to relieve injury, stress, pain, and other acute and chronic conditions, including manual therapies that manipulate the body's soft tissues to reduce anxiety, tension, stress, and depression. In addition, massage therapy increases circulation, controls pain, and promotes a sense of overall well-being. Touch is the main ingredient of massage therapy, which conveys a sense of caring – an essential component in the healing partnership—Encyclopedia of Stress, 2nd Ed; 2007.
As specified under the National Occupational Classification (N.O.C.) 2016, massage therapists assess soft tissues and joints of the body for treatment and prevention of dysfunction, injury, pain, and physical disorders. Massage therapists work in private practice, including group or team practices, hospitals, clinics, extended care facilities, rehabilitation centers, and educational institutions.
They are categories under the NOC 3236 or similar titles as:
• Massage therapist (MT)
• Masso kinesitherapy
• Massotherapist
• Myotherapist
• Orthotherapist
• Registered massage practitioner
• Registered massage therapist (R.M.T.)
• Thai massage therapist
Primary duties of massage therapists perform some or all of the following responsibilities:
• Assess clients by conducting motion and muscle tests and propose treatment plans.
• Explain procedures, risks, and benefits to clients
• Administer massage techniques, treating soft tissues and joints of the body through soft tissue manipulation, relaxation techniques, hydrotherapy, trigger point therapy, joint pain and lower grade mobilizations, remedial exercise programs, and client self-help programs
• Suggest home care instructions and provide information about techniques for further postural improvement and stretching, strengthening relaxation, and rehabilitative exercises
• Maintain records of treatments given
• May consult with other health care professionals such as physiotherapists, chiropractors, physicians, and psychologists when developing client treatment plans.
PROGRAM
METHODOLOGY
& DELIVERY
Canadian Health and Business College students must complete a total of 2300 hours that include
1, 100 hours for the first year and 1,200 hours for the second year to be eligible to join the association as student members and be qualified to become Registered Massage Therapists. They can apply for association membership if students pass the program and complete the required clinical/practice hours.
Career Opportunities
Expected salary of a massage therapist ranges from $62,000 to $82,000. Actual salary will vary on numerous factors, including the province or territory they are employed.
There is an astonishing diversity of future and potential employers for Massage Therapists, such as Chiropractic clinics, physiotherapy clinics, hospitals, gyms, sports teams, health spas, and private practice. After graduation, students can work anywhere in Canada once they complete the 2300-hour program and must be registered with the National Health Practitioners of Canada. In some cases, another province has regulations that include enrolling in some extra courses or challenging their provincial examinations.
Putting up your own business in Massage is another option after graduation after meeting all the requirements to become an active association member and other required regulating bodies/professions.
• Registered Massage Therapist
• Independent Practitioners/Private Practice
• Spa Massage Therapist
• Clinic Massage Therapist
• Fitness/Sports Massage Therapist
Standard Admissions
Students must meet ALL of the following criteria
• Alberta high school diploma, verified by transcript, with 50% or better in Grade 12 English and a Grade 12 Mathematics or non-Alberta equivalent OR
• Successful completion of the General Equivalency Diploma (G.E.D.) with a standard score of 450 or better in English and Mathematics
• Successful test result on Wonderlic Exam
• Successful interview with the Admission Adviser.
• C.P.R. & First Aid certificates.
Mature Admissions
• Students must meet ALL of the following criteria
• Be at least 18 years of age before admission
• Successful test result on Wonderlic Exam
• Alberta high school diploma with 50% or better in Grade 10 English and in Grade 10 Mathematics OR
• Non-Alberta equivalent
• Successful interview with the Admission Adviser
• C.P.R. & First Aid certificates
PRACTICUM
REQUIREMENT
ENGLISH REQUIREMENT
• Current Police Information Check (P.I.C.) with a Vulnerable Sector Search
• Complete Immunization Records especially annual influenza and COVID-19 immunization.
English Proficiency- if the first language is not English, you must demonstrate English language proficiency requirements for more details or must present one of the following:
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System)- Academic with a minimum overall band score of 6.0 (ielts.org)
- Canadian Language Benchmark with a score of not less than 7.
- CELPIP general assessment at C.L.B. Level 7 must be achieved in all areas. www.celpip.ca
GOVERNMENT STUDENT FUNDING
Many of the students require financial assistance. Our team in the finance section will help you realize and discuss funding options such as Student Aid or visit www.studentaidalberta.ca RESP, personal loan/line of credit.
Make sure to get in touch with our Student Financial Clerk/Advisor for more information on your tuition fee funding options.