Registered Massage Therapy
Registered Massage Therapy (RMT) is regulated, hands-on therapy for soft-tissue pain and dysfunction. Julie Mohy provides RMT at Bluebird and offers direct billing to most major extended health insurers.
What RMT is
Registered Massage Therapy is a regulated health profession in British Columbia. RMTs complete a multi-year program and are regulated by the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC (formerly the College of Massage Therapists of BC). That regulation matters: it means your RMT is trained in assessment, contraindications, and outcome-focused treatment — not just relaxation.
What we treat
RMT is well-suited to:
- Chronic muscle tension — neck, shoulders, low back
- Postural pain from desk work or repetitive movement
- Soft-tissue injuries from sport or daily life
- Pregnancy-related musculoskeletal discomfort
- General recovery and stress management
What sessions look like
A typical session is 60 minutes. Your RMT will check in on what’s going on, assess relevant areas, and then treat with a combination of techniques chosen for your situation — myofascial release, neuromuscular therapy, joint mobilizations, hydrotherapy, and stretching among them.
Coverage and billing
- Extended health insurance: RMT is covered by most BC extended health plans. Julie offers direct billing to most major insurers — bring your plan details to your first visit and we’ll set it up.
- Receipts: a detailed RMT receipt is provided after every visit, by email or print, for your records or for any portion you’re submitting yourself.
Who this helps
- People with chronic muscle tension or postural pain
- Patients recovering from injury or surgery
- Pregnant patients with discomfort related to postural changes
- Athletes managing training load and recovery
- Office workers carrying postural tension
What to expect
- Brief health-history review and goal-setting at the first visit
- Focused assessment of the area(s) of concern
- Treatment combining myofascial work, neuromuscular techniques, joint mobilization, and stretching
- Self-care recommendations to extend the benefit between sessions
Conditions we treat with this
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between an RMT and a physiotherapist?
Both are regulated health professions in BC, with overlapping but distinct scopes.
**Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs)** focus on the soft-tissue side — muscles, fascia, tendons. Treatment is hands-on with techniques including therapeutic massage, myofascial work, and joint mobilizations. RMTs use focused assessment and develop treatment plans, with strong emphasis on the manual therapy itself.
**Physiotherapists** have a broader scope that includes more emphasis on rehabilitation programming, manual therapy, modalities, and (in BC) the ability to use needling techniques like dry needling and IMS. PT programs are typically masters-level training.
In practice, both can be great at addressing musculoskeletal issues. The right choice often comes down to what you're looking for: hands-on treatment with a strong manual component (RMT) versus a more rehabilitation-program-focused approach (PT). Many patients see both at different stages of recovery.
What should I wear for a massage therapy appointment?
Wear whatever you're comfortable in. For the treatment itself, you'll undress to your comfort level — most patients undress to underwear, but you set the level. You're always covered with a sheet during the session, and only the area being treated is uncovered.
If you'd prefer to keep certain clothing on, that's fine — let your therapist know and they'll adjust the techniques used. Comfort matters; treatment doesn't work if you're stressed about being uncovered.
How many visits will I need?
It depends on what's going on, but most patients with uncomplicated musculoskeletal issues notice meaningful improvement within two to four visits and resolve within four to eight visits.
Longer-standing problems (chronic back pain, frozen shoulder, severe whiplash) often need more — sometimes a few months of structured care.
We'll give you an honest sense of what to expect at the end of your first visit, and we re-assess regularly. If we're not seeing the progress we'd expect, we change the plan or refer you to the right provider — we'd rather have that conversation than book you for visits that aren't moving the needle.
Is it normal to feel sore after a treatment?
Yes — it's common to feel mildly sore for a day or two after a chiropractic adjustment, soft-tissue treatment, or deep massage. The sensation is similar to having done a focused workout: a dull achiness in the treated area that resolves within 24–48 hours.
Things that can help in the first day after treatment:
- Drinking water normally (no need to over-hydrate, but don't get behind)
- Gentle movement — a walk, easy stretching
- Avoiding really intense activity right after if you're already sore
Things that aren't normal: sharp pain that lasts more than a couple of days, significant bruising in unexpected places, or worsening of your original symptoms beyond the first day. If any of those happen, give us a call so we can adjust the next session.
Can I exercise after my appointment?
Usually yes — and often we encourage it. Movement after treatment helps the body integrate the changes from hands-on work. A walk, light cycling, or your normal training session is generally fine.
A few situations where we'd suggest dialing it back for the first 24 hours:
- After a particularly intense soft-tissue session
- During the acute phase of a new injury (we'll tell you specifically)
- If you're already running hot — sleep-deprived, stressed, sore from a hard workout
If your training is at all unusual (heavy lifting day, long run, intense sport), tell us at the start of the appointment so we can match the intensity of the treatment to what your week looks like.
Can I see a chiropractor and a massage therapist for the same issue?
Yes — many patients do, and the two often complement each other well. Chiropractic care addresses the joint and movement layer; RMT addresses the muscle and soft-tissue layer. For most musculoskeletal issues, both contribute.
A few practical notes:
- We coordinate care between practitioners at Bluebird so you're not getting redundant treatment
- Most extended health insurance plans cover both as separate paramedical services with their own annual limits
If you're unsure which to start with, book what feels right and the practitioner you see can recommend whether to add the other into the picture.
General information only — not medical advice and not a substitute for assessment by a qualified health professional. If you have specific concerns about your situation, book a consultation or contact your healthcare provider.
Ready to book?
Pick a time that works for you, or give us a call.