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What's Happening at the RMTAO
Member Survey Closes on Wednesday
You have until Wednesday to complete the RMTAO Member Survey!
This survey will give you the opportunity to provide your feedback on RMTAO programs, services, communication and advocacy efforts. You can let us know what you think is working well and what you would like to see in the future, so that we ensure you can get the most out of your membership.
This survey all open to all Active, Life and Student members of the RMTAO. This survey will be used to inform the RMTAO operational and strategic planning initiatives and priorities throughout 2023.
Take the survey now
The survey closes this Wednesday, March 15th at 4 p.m. We encourage all members to participate. This survey is meant to be members-only, so we ask that you don't share this survey with anyone.
If you have any questions about the survey, email info@rmtao.com
Advocacy Update - Doctor's Note for Massage Therapy
As you likely know, there are some insurance plans offered by a  variety of insurance companies that require a doctor's note before accessing massage therapy care. This creates a barrier for patients trying to access the massage therapy care they need, and this barrier does not exist for accessing care from other health professionals.
Recently, I wrote to the CEOs of several large insurance companies asking them to remove the option that requires a physician's note to access massage therapy treatment. I received responses from many of these companies as well as from the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA).
CLHIA indicated that the insurance industry has moved significantly away from requiring a referral to access massage therapy and other treatments delivered by healthcare providers, in order for them to be reimbursed under private health plans. However, the ultimate decision on which plan controls to implement rest with the employer.
Although this is encouraging progress, we hope that the option to require a physician's note before accessing massage therapy is eliminated from all health insurance plans. CLHIA has indicated an openness to continuing to discuss this issue, and I look forward to discussing this with them further.
Town Halls Start in Two Weeks
The RMTAO Town Halls start in two weeks!
RMTAO Executive Director Michael Feraday will be traveling across Ontario to speak to members directly about the RMTAO's latest advocacy initiatives and future priorities.
Michael will be travelling to Ottawa, Sudbury, Barrie, Windsor, London, Toronto and Hamilton.
By attending a Town Hall event, you have the opportunity to connect with the RMTAO Executive Director Michael Feraday in person to ask him any questions you may have about RMTAO advocacy activities and priorities.
We ask that if you’re attending and have a question in mind, you submit it in advance if you can to info@rmtao.com. This will ensure that we can answer as many questions as possible.
Michael will provide updates on a variety of areas including our developing relationships with government officials, our interactions with the CMTO, and our engagement with the insurance industry. Michael will also provide updates on the campaign for HST/GST exemption for Canadian RMTs.
These events are free of charge and open to all Ontario RMTs and RMT students. We ask that you register in advance to attend these events, using the links below.
The schedule for the Town Hall Meetings is as follows:
TELUS Discounts
RMTAO members can SAVE BIG this Spring with the never before seen $65 100GB rate plan from TELUS when you Bring Your Own Device or activate a new device on a 2 year term with TELUS Easy Payment®.
Log in to the RMTAO website and access the TELUS EPP webstore to browse all available offers or contact the VIP EPP sales team directly at 1-877-460-1195 to learn more today.
TELUS regularly offers members up to 30% off their monthly rate plans, up to $1,330 off the latest devices on a 2 year term with Bring-it-Back, unlimited shareable data plans and special pricing when you Bring Your Own Device and monthly savings for every family member you add to your EPP account.
Business Webinar This Month
A new business webinar is talking place later this month! The Journey to Care: Viewing your operations through the client’s eyes will take place online on March 28th at 10:30 am.
This webinar will allow participants to identify the operations that occur throughout this journey, such as booking, billing, and discharging clients. Participants will gain a greater understanding of how their practice choices affect their patients, then learn strategies that will improve how these operations function for the client as well as for the practitioner.
Space is limited and this webinar is coming up soon, so register online now to guarantee your spot at the early bird rate. The early bird deadline is this Tuesday, March 14th.
Member Question of the Week
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How can I find a receipt of payment for RMTAO membership?
When you log in to your account on the RMTAO website, click on My Account on the left side of your screen. You will see the full list of invoices you have had with us. Click on 'View Invoice' beside 2022-2023 RMTAO Membership Dues to download your payment invoice.
This receipt will also include anything else you paid for during the renewal for your membership, including professional liability insurance (if purchased directly through us), and any program enrolment fees.
Do you have a question? Email info@rmtao.com
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Business Tip of the Week
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Lead with Compassion
Being a compassionate leader isn’t just a nice thing to do—it’s a powerful lever of employee satisfaction, productivity, and retention, especially in challenging times. Here are some ways to practice and develop this essential, evidence-based leadership skill. First, start small. Demonstrating compassion doesn’t always require huge gestures. A simple encouraging comment, a brief check-in, or an expression of gratitude can go a long way. Next, be intentional about offering help. When an employee is struggling on a personal level, Instead of asking yes or no questions like, “Do you need help?” or “Is there anything I can do?” (which often sound like invitations to say “no”), try asking, “What can I do to be helpful to you today?” Then, go beyond your inner circle. Don’t limit your compassion to direct reports, close friends, or even your immediate team. Be generous with your attention and expand your influence. Finally, celebrate compassion in others. When an employee or colleague goes above and beyond to help someone else, let people know. This will help establish compassion as a virtue in your organizational culture.
Adapted from “Leading with Compassion Has Research-Backed Benefits,” by Stephen Trzeciak, Anthony Mazzarelli, and Emma Seppälä
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Research Article of the Week
Massage Therapy as a Complementary Treatment for Stiffness and Numbness Post Cervical Spinal Cord Injury: a Case Study
Introduction: Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI) commonly result in pain, stiffness, weakness and numbness. There are limitations in the ability of the standard medical approach to manage many symptoms of SCI. This case study examined the effects of massage therapy as a "complementary" therapy to treat post-operative numbness and stiffness after removal of a cavernous hemangioma intermeshed with a 26-year-old male patient's spinal cord.
Methods: The patient received eight, one-hour therapeutic massage sessions over five months. Therapeutic massage techniques were performed by a Board-Certified Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork Therapist and consisted of cranial sacral, Swedish, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and passive stretching. Symptom intensity was recorded prior to each session on a qualitative scale (1-10) and was trended over the course of the study.
Results: There was a slight decrease over time in left-arm and back numbness, as well as neck and upper body stiffness. The patient viewed therapeutic massage to be a beneficial component to his recovery.
Discussion/conclusion: Massage therapy should be considered as an adjunct therapy as part of a rehabilitation plan to address numbness and stiffness post-SCI. Further research is needed to understand the effects of massage therapy on SCI numbness and stiffness.
Deetz D, Petrie BK. Massage Therapy as a Complementary Treatment for Stiffness and Numbness Post Cervical Spinal Cord Injury: a Case Study. Int J Ther Massage Bodywork. 2022 Dec 1;15(4):3-8. doi: 10.3822/ijtmb.v15i4.745. PMID: 36467309; PMCID: PMC9683994.
Read the full article...
The Learning Curve - The RMTAO Education Series
RMTAO Town Hall Meetings
The RMTAO Executive Director and CEO Michael Feraday will be travelling to cities across Ontario to speak directly to RMTAO members about his accomplishments over the past few months in advocating for the massage therapy profession, and his priorities for the future.
These events are free of charge and open to all Ontario RMTs and RMT students. We ask that you register in advance to attend these events, using the links below.
The schedule for the Town Hall Meetings is as follows:
Michael will provide updates on a variety of areas including our developing relationships with government officials, our interactions with the CMTO, and our engagement with the insurance industry. Michael will also provide updates on our work as part of the Canadian Massage Therapy Association, including updates on the campaign for HST/GST exemption for Canadian RMTs.
This is a great opportunity to ask the RMTAO Executive Director any questions you may have about his advocacy activities and priorities. There will be some time for live questions, but we ask that if you’re attending and have a question in mind, you submit it in advance if you can to info@rmtao.com. This will ensure that we can answer as many questions as possible.
Upcoming Community Networks and Related Activities
The RMTAO has created a feature on RMTAO.com for Community Networks. Members and non-members can access information about the latest upcoming network activities on our list of upcoming events! Don't see a Community-Based Network near you? You can contact Angela Paton at angela@rmtao.com to learn more about starting one.
Windsor Community-Based Network
Date: March 12, 2023
Time: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Location: This is a virtual meeting.
Topic: Check-in, open chat about the standards and help each other prepare!
RSVP: Please contact Brittany Wistuba for Zoom meeting details britt_wistuba@hotmail.com
Simcoe County Community-Based Network
Date: March 14, 2023
Time: 9:00 AM - 10:00 a.m.
Location. This is a virtual meeting.
Topic: Jenn Hewitt has done a test run of the new Practice Profile process and would like to offer some insight/Q&A informative session.
RSVP: Jenn Hewitt
jenniferhewittrmt@gmail.com or Jocelyn Buitenhuis jbuits.rmt@gmail.com
Sault Ste Marie Community-Based Network
Date: March 20, 2023
Time: 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Location: BodyVive, 145 McNabb St. Parking lot is on the Melrose side of the building
Topic: General Discussion
RSVP: Catherine Courtney at catherinecourtneyrmt@gmail.com
Durham Region Community-Based Network
Date: March 20, 2023
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Location: Whitby Public Library - Central Library
405 Dundas St W, Whitby, ON L1N 6A1. *Meet near the fireplace at the library.
Topic: Professional Growth- Let’s discuss the things we hear clients complain about most.
RSVP: Catherine Roe at cate.roe1@gmail.com
London Community-Based Network
Date: April 2, 2023
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Location: This is a virtual meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86409042947
Topic: You are welcome to lurk; no one is put on the spot, video optional. Monthly chat for RMTs, grads and students, don't have to be an RMTAO member! Feel free to add topics or ask questions ahead of time (email or via the Facebook event page). Those who are outside of the London area are welcome.
Agenda: Welcome, introductions, current RMT news, quick research/course/event round-up. Any questions, issues, ideas, need to book a rant?
RSVP: Dani Faucher at danifaucher.rmt@gmail.com
Ottawa Community-Based Network
Date: April 4, 2023
Time: 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Location: This is a virtual meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88432049864?pwd=UWQ5aXV6bmFOUWVVVkFVVW5jM2VJdz09
Topic: Tuesday evening chat for RMT's in the Ottawa area. All RMT's welcome, whether you're from Ottawa or elsewhere, new grad or seasoned therapist; you don't have to be a member of the RMTAO to join us. Topics: Check in, talk about the recent Town Hall in Ottawa, the Practice Profile and whatever is on your mind
RSVP: Kirsten Greenleaf at kirsten.greenleafrmt@gmail.com
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