Massage & Myotherapy Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. Formed in 2003, the Association is the leading representative body for massage, remedial massage and myotherapists nationwide. Currently the Association services over 8,650 professionally qualified therapists, helping them to connect to the people who need them most.

Our organisation and its members believe that consumers of massage, remedial massage and myotherapy services should have available accessible and credible information that is easy to understand. This information is central to making informed decisions about their health choices.

What is Massage Therapy, Remedial Massage Therapy and Myotherapy used for?

Massage & Myotherapy Australia recognises therapeutic massage, remedial massage and myotherapy as manual manipulation therapies.

These musculoskeletal manipulation practices involve the deep and/or shallow soft tissues of the body including muscles, tendons, fascia and ligaments.

Massage therapy, remedial massage therapy and myotherapy are not cures. However they are an intervention that can help relieve the symptoms of pain and stress, and improve limits to function caused by injury, illness, acute and chronic conditions, overuse and the effects of ageing.

There are three distinct approaches to massage, remedial massage and myotherapy methods. These are:

1. Physical or direct: Involves deep pressure or direct application of a massage technique to soft tissue. This improves musculoskeletal health in order to address injury and relieve chronic patterns of tension.
2. Integrated: Combines various therapeutic options from a range of adjunct modalities. For example: Remedial massage with acupuncture, dry needling or cupping.
3. Eastern: Stems from an alternative philosophical base to Western medicine and focuses on using pressure points along defined energy meridians.

As with all health-related therapies, no two people respond in exactly the same way. Qualified therapists generally use an integrated approach, drawing on a variety of techniques and adjunct services to address the specific condition to help their clients.

What you need to consider when booking your service

1. Determine what kind of treatment you are looking for

Keep an eye out for your therapist’s qualification and membership certificates which should be displayed on their wall.

When making a phone enquiry, your therapist should also be open about what accreditations and certifications they hold.

If you are looking for a relaxing massage, choose a therapeutic massage therapist who holds a minimum qualification of a Certificate IV in Massage Therapy Practice.

If you are worried about an old injury, your massage therapist should hold a Diploma of Remedial Massage. A Remedial Massage Therapist can assess and treat muscles, tendons, ligaments and connective tissue.

If you are living with chronic musculoskeletal pain or conditions, then consider a Myotherapy treatment. A myotherapist should hold an Advanced Diploma of Myotherapy or a Bachelor of Musculoskeletal Therapy/Bachelor of Myotherapy. They employ a number of assessment and treatment protocols for pain management, chronic musculoskeletal conditions, postural conditions, as well as sporting and occupational injuries.

Note: Often Remedial Massage Therapists undertake additional training and professional development and are qualified to assess and treat conditions including pain management, chronic musculoskeletal conditions, postural conditions, as well as sporting and occupational injuries.

2. When you consult a qualified professional therapist

You should feel comfortable with your therapist when you meet for the first time.

Your therapist should ask you a series of questions and take notes. Part of this process means signing an 'Informed Consent' form, so you understand what kind of treatment you will receive. This is a legislative requirement.

If you feel uncomfortable, or your potential therapist is not communicative, it may be a good idea to keep searching.

3. Wait for your therapist to explain disrobing

You should only remove an item of clothing you feel comfortable removing.

Massage & Myotherapy Australia recommends appropriate draping during any massage, remedial massage or myotherapy treatment and, unless modality-specific, there is no requirement for any area other than that being treated to be exposed.

Ask your therapist what draping technique they will be using. If your therapist cannot respond, you may want to consider seeing another therapist.

4. Ask your therapist and private health fund if you can claim

Did you know that certain private health plans allow you to access a rebate for your treatments? Many therapists use electronic claiming terminals, so all you need to do is swipe your Health Fund card.

5. Understand your rights as a customer

As a touch-based therapy, the quality of interaction between therapists and clients is vital for the client’s wellbeing. Trust and respect are central to achieving a positive rapport between clients and therapists.

This can only be borne out of high standards of client communication and massage, remedial massage and myotherapy practice.

If you feel that your trust has been breached, a formal complaints process is provided for consumers and Massage & Myotherapy Australia members.

As part of our commitment to upholding the integrity of the profession and protecting the wellbeing of clients, we offer an effective and transparent method of managing complaints. The Complaints Guidelines provide the formal facility to lodge and record complaints against Massage & Myotherapy members.

Massage & Myotherapy Australia provides a public service by maintaining a register of qualified member practitioners for referral and for responding to enquiries and complaints from the public.

Australian Massage Directory

Welcome to the Australian Massage Directory, home of over 8,650 massage therapists, remedial massage therapists and myotherapists. To find a qualified therapist in your area simply search by your postcode or suburb. Not sure what type of treatment you are after? Click here to find out the different types of treatment options available.

Why choose a qualified professional therapist?

While the relaxing benefits of massage, remedial massage and myotherapy are well established, many people feel nervous before going for treatment.

Among the chief concerns for clients is the idea of extended physical contact with a total stranger. However, many of these apprehensions can be minimised by choosing a qualified practitioner.

Massage & Myotherapy Australia ensure that professional practitioners complete various programs as a condition of membership so they have excellent knowledge and proficiency in their field.

By agreeing to meet high professional standards, and renewing their commitment annually, practitioners reinforce a commitment to the highest standards in conducting their services and their overall treatment of patients.

Massage & Myotherapy Australia also provides ongoing support and training to its professional practitioners to ensure that the quality of these disciplines remains high in the future.

1. They are qualified professionals

To become a member of Massage & Myotherapy Australia, therapists must be studying towards or hold one or more of the following list of prescribed qualifications:

• HLT40302 or HLT40307 or HLT40312 or HLT42015 or HLT42021 Certificate IV in Massage Therapy Practice
• HLT50302 or HLT50307 or HLT52015 or HLT52021 Diploma of Remedial Massage
• 21920VIC or 21511VIC or 22248VIC or 22316VIC Advanced Diploma of Myotherapy
• 10052NAT Advanced Diploma of Health Science (Soft Tissue Therapy)
• 30836QLD Cert IV Musculoskeletal Therapy
• 30837QLD Diploma of Musculoskeletal Therapy
• 30844QLD Advanced Diploma of Musculoskeletal Therapy
• Bachelor of Health Science (Musculoskeletal Therapy)
• Bachelor of Health Science (Clinical Myotherapy).

These competencies provide professional therapists with the knowledge to administer effective massage therapy, remedial massage therapy and myotherapy services, and how to interact with clients and put them at their ease in a clinical setting.

Before commencing a treatment, your practitioner should sit down with you to discuss the reason that led you to seek professional assistance and talk you through the steps they will take during your treatment.

This provides you with the opportunity to make a final decision as to whether you wish to continue with the therapy.

2. They have a defined code of ethics

All professional massage, remedial massage and myotherapy practitioners who are members of Massage & Myotherapy Australia are obliged to adhere to the Code of Ethics, Standards of Practice and Policies and Guidelines. These documents are aligned to the National Code of Conduct in each state and territory.

The aims of the Code of Ethics are:

• reinforcing the principles of Massage & Myotherapy Australia
• protecting the general public
• setting clear professional standards expected of therapists.
   

3. You have clearly defined and legislated protections

As massage, remedial massage and myotherapy falls into the health care environment, any inappropriate conduct, comments or sexual assault is reportable as professional sexual misconduct. We provide clear channels that consumers can pursue to contact the relevant bodies and make their voices heard.

Having a clearly defined Code of Ethics also makes it easier to establish when breaches of trust are made. This Code correlates with the National Code of Conduct for Unregistered Health Practitioners, federally and in each state.

Massage & Myotherapy Australia is committed to recommending that anyone who feels the need to make a complaint against a therapist should contact the authorities and do so.

Our practitioners are required to cooperate fully with any enquiries, and keep detailed records of their sessions with patients (client notes).

Who we are & what we do

Since 2003, Massage & Myotherapy Australia has been the leading not-for-profit hub for massage, remedial massage and myotherapy practitioners across the country. We are a brand of the Australian Association of Massage Therapists Limited (AAMT).

Massage & Myotherapy Australia has a number of objectives and missions surrounding promoting and upholding excellence in the fields of massage, remedial massage and myotherapy, which assists consumers to make informed decisions around the options available to them.

1. National directory of accredited practitioners

The Australian Massage Directory of over 8,650 professional practitioners in Australia enables the community to search for specific services and find a local qualified member to deliver it. This free referral system is an easy-to-use portal that gives the option of searching and comparing local massage, remedial massage and myotherapy services.

2. Practitioner Code of Ethics

Our member practitioners are required to hold a prescribed Australian qualification, and to adhere to a strict code of ethics and standards of practice when delivering their services to clients.

Our Code of Ethics lays out the professional conduct expected from our members in order to ensure a high quality and reliable service. Every practitioner who is approved to become a member must renew their commitment to the Code of Conduct each year.

A Code of Ethics sets out standards for care, equality, confidentiality, client records and maintaining appropriate therapist-client boundaries. It is based upon our core values of consistency, effectiveness, integrity, proactivity and respect.

3. Consumer support

Should a member of the public feel that a practitioner has seriously breached their trust or otherwise acted inappropriately, we recommend they contact the relevant authorities as part of our working relationship with the various State and Federal Health Complaints Commissions and Ombudsmen.

4. Consumer information

We aim to provide readily accessible information about massage therapy, remedial massage therapy and myotherapy so they can decide which services are most suitable for them, know what to expect from a massage therapy, remedial massage therapy or myotherapy session, and know how to prepare beforehand.

5. Continuing professional development

We ensure the effectiveness of ongoing training for professional therapists is much the same as for all health care practitioners. This helps to ensure that our members’ competencies are up-to-date, and they can continue to provide quality services based on the latest evidence and techniques.

Certified Practitioner^TM

The Certified Practitioner^TM Program is a professional framework for consistent and reliable national Best Practice Standard and Quality Assurance for the Australian massage, remedial massage and myotherapy industry.

It is available to all professional qualified Massage Therapists, Remedial Massage Therapists and Myotherapists.

1. Independent Third-Party Practitioner Assessment

The Certified PractitionerTM Program provides formal recognition of compliance with an industry Code of Ethics, conformity to a Best Practice Standard, and recognition of appropriate qualifications and skills pertaining to specific modalities of massage.

As a leading-edge initiative, it provides assurance to health consumers of the professional status of therapists and improves their ability to make informed choices about engaging a professional therapist.

For professional therapists, it provides protection of practice for Certified PractitionersTM through international copyright and trademarking of the program.

It offers a transparent, consistent process of auditing and collecting industry data enabling the sector to harness the diversity and creativity of therapists and map the professional competencies, skills, and qualifications available to the health sector and patients.

2. Eligibility

The Certified PractitionerTM Program is open to all professional massage therapists, remedial massage therapists and myotherapists who are eligible to apply for the Certified PractitionerTM Program by Massage & Myotherapy Australia. This includes the members of the following associations:

• Massage & Myotherapy Australia
• Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS)
• Australian Natural Therapists Association (ANTA)
• Massage Association of Australia (MAA)
• Myotherapy Association Australia (MAA formerly IRMA)
• Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA)
• Shiatsu Therapy Association of Australia (STAA)
• Bowen Therapists Federation of Australia (BTFA).

Code of Conduct

Massage & Myotherapy Australia has put in place a strict Code of Conduct that all member practitioners must adhere to if they are to be a member.

The Code of Conduct reflects the values of the Association, and the high standards expected of members. The Code defines the professional conduct expected of Members when dealing with clients. The ethics and standards described are aligned to the National Code of Conduct for Healthcare Workers, which has been adopted by most Australian States.

In addition, clear guidelines are provided as to how practitioners must behave if a complaint is made against them. This includes making it as easy as possible for the patient involved to register the details of grievance with the relevant authorities.

It is based on the Final report: A national code of conduct for healthcare workers, released by the COAG Health Council (CHC) (now National Council of Health Ministers) in April 2015, which presented the findings and recommendations arising from a national consultation.

1. Why have a code of conduct?

As the leading national representative for massage, remedial massage and myotherapy practitioners, Massage & Myotherapy Australia advocates for evidence-based therapies, administered by professional qualified therapists.

While our members are all qualified, the Code builds on the initiatives to ensure health consumers have reliable and safe access to appropriately qualified and accredited massage therapists.

2. What is the code of conduct?

The Massage & Myotherapy Australia Code of Conduct is a comprehensive document that covers all facets of practitioner-client interaction.

• Professional conduct: Sets out the rules relating to maintaining their professional education, having appropriate levels of insurance and patient record keeping.
• Confidentiality: Outlines the confidentiality requirements with client records.
• Clinical settings: Sets out how safety and hygiene are to be maintained in massage rooms, and appropriate clinical settings in which treatment is provided.
• Honesty: Practitioners must be realistic when promoting their services and not create false impressions or expectations.
• Fitness to practice: Members are expected to be well when working with clients and must allow patients to make decisions about their care.
• Client relationships: Client relationships should be handled with integrity and within professional boundaries.
• Vulnerable persons: Practitioners must treat vulnerable clients with respect and equality and with dignity.
• Misconduct and complaints: Strict rules govern processes for members who are alleged to be in breach of the Code, which includes the expected behaviour if a complaint against them is made.

3. Making a complaint

As part of our commitment to upholding the integrity of the profession and protecting the wellbeing of clients, a formal complaints process is provided by Massage & Myotherapy Australia for consumers to lodge a complaint about a member.

The Complaints Guidelines ensure an effective and transparent method of managing complaints and ensures a formal facility for consumers to lodge and record complaints about Massage & Myotherapy members.

To ensure that a complaint is dealt with appropriately, complainants must complete and lodge the Complaints Form and forward it to:

The Chief Executive Officer
Massage & Myotherapy Australia
Level 8, 53 Queen Street,
Melbourne, Victoria 3000
03 9602 7300
ea@massagemyotherapy.com.au

4. Actions taken by the Association

If the Code of Ethics is breached or a member is otherwise engaged in conduct unbecoming of a member, the Board may take disciplinary steps against that person.

The Association may choose to act on a complaint which can include disciplinary actions against a member. All matters of a serious nature involving reportable misconduct, such as alleged sexual misconduct, assault or fraud, are forwarded to the appropriate authorities (including the Health Care Complaints Commissioners, the Health Ombudsman or the police).

5. A matter of Public Record

As a touch-based therapy, the quality of interaction between therapists and clients is vital for the client’s wellbeing. In effect, the quality of this interaction shows how clients feel about, and benefit from, the treatment they receive and whether their experience is a positive one.

As the peak representative body for Massage Therapists, Remedial Massage Therapists and Myotherapists in Australia, Massage & Myotherapy Australia provides a public service by maintaining a register of qualified member practitioners for referral and for responding to enquiries and complaints from the public.

As part of this, our commitment to transparency includes recording and publishing reports on complaints received and the data collected. The reports provide an opportunity for the tertiary education sector to adjust and align ethical conduct and contributes to member education and training. The documents include:

• Complaints in Massage Therapy: 2003–2011
• Complaints in Massage Therapy: 2012–2015
• Complaints in Massage Therapy: 2016-2019

Evidence-based practice

Competent therapists require access to information and postgraduate learning opportunities to become and remain current as practitioners of excellence.

This includes graduate training and postgraduate research that will benefit practitioners, the community and other health professionals. (See Massage Therapy Knowledge Centre and Massage Therapy Fact Sheets)

Initiatives have included:

• Regular review of newly published research papers.
• Massage & Myotherapy Australia’s 2023 Practitioners Survey which collects data about members’ characteristics, the type, frequency and cost of massage, remedial massage and myotherapy services provided, and the challenges faced by members.
• Support for the Australian Research Consortium for Complementary and Integrative Medicine (ARCCIM) based at the University of Technology Sydney houses the only coordinated international research program dedicated to establishing and promoting the rigorous, critical study of massage, remedial massage and myotherapy as a topic of national and international public health and health services scholarship.
• Practitioner Research and Collaboration Initiative (PRACI) that is the largest national practice-based research network for complementary healthcare practitioners.
• Maintenance of the online GP Knowledge Centre that provides other health professionals with evidence-based information about the appropriate application of massage therapies in multidisciplinary and patient-focused care.