What is massage therapy?

Defining professional qualified massage therapists

The information provided refers only to remedial massage therapists, therapeutic massage therapists and myotherapists (professional massage therapists) who have recognised qualifications under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

The Cert IV in Massage Therapy Practice is an AQF recognised entry level qualification. Professional massage therapists can hold a Bachelor Degree in Health Science, Advanced Diploma in Myotherapy or Diploma of Remedial Massage.

Professional massage therapists are registered members of a professional association and as part of their training undertake at least 1,000 hours of supervised specialty training (refer to Fact Sheet 2 – Identifying professional massage therapists).

Professional qualified massage therapists are required to maintain accurate, legible and current clinical records for each client at every consultation including informed consent, treatment plan, assessment plan, contraindications and a follow up plan.

Poorly trained therapists or services provided in quasi massage shops or by people who have not attained recognised AQF qualifications are not included in these definitions.

Defining professional massage therapy

Massage & Myotherapy Australia describe massage therapy, remedial massage therapy, and myotherapy, as manual manipulation therapies involving the deep or shallow soft tissues of the body including muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia.

Massage therapy, remedial massage therapy and myotherapy are used to improve mobility and emotional health by providing relief from dysfunction and pain, disease and injury, or emotional issues.

Adjunct services and techniques that extend beyond hands-on direct physical contact, that combine the use of devices or supplementary techniques, such as myofascial dry needling, heat, cupping or aromatherapy, augment massage or soft tissue manipulation therapies, but they are not strictly massage. Appropriately trained professional massage therapists may integrate these techniques into the massage treatment.

Relationship between qualifications and services

The qualifications attained in Australia that fall under the AQF prepare professional massage therapists to address a variety of conditions.

This is underpinned by a hierarchy that aligns the level of qualifications and additional training to the complexity of conditions.

As with all health-related therapies, no two people respond in the same way and no two therapists can provide a massage in the same way.

Remedial massage therapy or myotherapy may or may not be appropriate for a patient.

By utilising the competencies of professional, qualified massage therapists that GPs have confidence in, with the appropriate training, experience and skills will assist in developing multidisciplinary client management plans (refer to Fact Sheet 6 – Finding a qualified professional massage therapist).

Classifying professional massage services

As a guide, Table 1 below provides a list of conditions that massage therapy is applicable to, involving musculoskeletal conditions related to ageing, chronic health conditions, postural issues, sports and occupational overuse and injury, disabilities, and emotional issues.
 

Table 1: Conditions for which massage is applied

In what circumstances is massage therapy used?

Incorporating professional massage therapy into patient or client management plans can lead to a range of positive patient outcomes.

Many clients find massage therapy, remedial massage therapy and myotherapy both therapeutic and enjoyable, returning for multiple sessions to maintain mobility, vigour and a sense of wellbeing.

In self-directed care professional therapists, often fill the gap when clients seek alternatives to medications and other therapies because they feel that remedial massage therapy and myotherapy provide a level of relief that is appropriate to their needs.

As shown in Chart 1 below, responses from the 2023 Massage & Myotherapy Practitioners’ Survey indicated that professional massage therapists are called upon in a variety of circumstances.

Massage Technique and Treatment Videos

The following videos provide clinical explanations and demonstrations of some massage therapy treatments.

• Advanced soft tissue massage
• Pregnancy massage
• Shoulder impingement
• Talar dysfunction
• Treating trapezius levator scapulae and SCM
• Lumbar and Spine
• Ligamentous articular strain
• Planta fasciitis
• Anatomy of lumber spine
• Plantar surface of the foot
• Abductor muscles
• Medial compartment – tibialis posterior

Massage therapy fact sheets

The following fact sheets provide information to General Practitioners, other registered health professionals and the community about the use of massage for the relief of a wide range of health issues and conditions.

Fact Sheets

• Fact Sheet 1: Women and musculoskeletal disease
   
• Fact Sheet 2: Identifying professional massage therapists
   
• Fact Sheet 3: Injury, rehabilitation and recovery
   
• Fact Sheet 4: Massage for oncology patients
   
• Fact Sheet 5: Pain management
   
• Fact Sheet 6: Defining professional massage therapists
   
• Fact Sheet 7: Perinatal and postnatal care
   
• Fact Sheet 8: Positive mental health

Funding support is available

Numerous Federal and State Government insurance schemes have responded to the changing need and demand of patients and the wider health sector.

At a State Government level, Table 2 below lists where professional massage therapists and myotherapists are eligible for funding under many state worker compensation and rehabilitation insurance schemes.

SIRA NSW fund massage therapists to administer services for both Workers Compensation and Rehabilitation, and Motor Accident injuries.

Table 2. Funding through State motor accident, workers compensation and rehabilitation insurance

Table 3 below lists Australian Government insurance and support schemes that include funding for remedial massage therapists and myotherapists.

Table 3. Funding through Australian Government Aged Care Package, NDIS, Private Health Insurance Rebate and Seacare

Massage Therapy Knowledge Centre