Citrus and Sage Massage Therapy

YAY!!! REFERRAL OR PRESCRIPTION NO LONGER REQUIRED!!

This is very exciting for Registered Massage Therapists in Alberta! The associations have finally come together to work towards regulation.

Great read and updated research on the use of ice on acute injuries. Ice has been a go to for such a long time, it may be hard to refrain. But research has shown it may actually do more harm than good when it comes to healing! Details in the article.

I am happy to announce that I am accepting appointments! A referral or prescription issued within the last 12 months is required prior to treatment. A referral can be provided by any one of the following professionals: Audiologists, Chiropractors, Laboratory and X-ray Technologists... Dental Assistants, Dental Hygienists, Dental Technologists Dentists, Denturists, Dietitians, Hearing Aid Practitioners Licensed Practical Nurses Medical Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technologists, Medical Laboratory Technologists, Midwives, Naturopaths, Occupational Therapists, Opticians, Optometrists, Paramedics, Pharmacists Physiotherapists, Physicians, Surgeons and Osteopaths Podiatrists. Psychiatric Nurses, Psychologists, Registered Nurses Respiratory Therapists, Social Workers, Speech-Language Pathologists. Many of these professionals, which you may already be seeing are not charging for these referrals. Have questions? Send me a message!

As per the update provided by the Chief Medical Officer of Health, massage therapists are able to resume immediately providing services under the following guidelines: All clients must have either a written prescription from a Medical Doctor, or a written referral from a regulated health professional (https://www.alberta.ca/regulated-health-professions.aspx) An existing written prescription is only valid if issued within the last 12 months. An existing written referral is onl...y valid if issued within the last 12 months. A copy of the original written prescription or written referral is acceptable. The written prescription or written referral must be provided prior to receiving treatment. So who can provide a referral or written prescription? Audiologists Chiropractors Combined Laboratory and X-ray Technologists Dental Assistants Dental Hygienists Dental Technologists Dentists Denturists Dietitians Hearing Aid Practitioners Licensed Practical Nurses Medical Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technologists Medical Laboratory Technologists Midwives Naturopaths Occupational Therapists Opticians Optometrists Paramedics Pharmacists Pharmacy Physiotherapists Physicians, Surgeons and Osteopaths Podiatrists Psychiatric Nurses Psychologists Registered Nurses Respiratory Therapists Social Workers Speech-Language Pathologists

UPDATE!! Massage Therapists have been granted an exception. You can seek the care of your RMT with the referral from another regulated professional. Your Chiropractor, Physiotherapist or Doctor and provide this referral. At the 11:40 min mark in the video, Jason Kenney explains! https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1124394238079977

19 minute mark, he talks about Massage Therapy. The massage associations and our provincial government really need to get it together and regulate Massage so we can stop being treated as a personal luxury service. There are so many people living with pain that rely on Massage therapy.

Dear Members, It was announced today by the provincial government that further restrictions will be coming into effect at midnight Sunday, December 13th (Saturd...ay night), to decrease the spread of COVID-19 and reduce the burden on the public healthcare system. As such, massage therapy services must cease on or before that time. Although the MTAA is very much in support of any action that helps limit the spread of COVID-19 and reduces the risk of harm to both clients and practitioners, we feel that mandating the closure of massage therapy services does not achieve this goal. Massage therapy is an integral part of Albertan’s healthcare regime. It is especially useful to help combat the effects of stress which may be caused or exacerbated by the social isolation requirements of the current health pandemic restrictions. Since June 15th, when Phase 2 of the relaunch plan was enacted, massage therapists have been working with Albertans in a safe and effective manner. To our knowledge, no outbreaks of COVID-19 have been linked to the provision of massage therapy services. Restricting Albertan’s access to massage therapy care may inadvertently cause more harm to those seeking care. Most Canadian provinces have regulated the massage therapy profession. As regulated health professionals, massage therapists have been allowed to continue practicing when provinces have enacted widespread public health restrictions. MTAA massage therapists are trained to the same national competency standards as our regulated counterparts in other provinces. Furthermore, our members are required to follow the same pandemic practice guidelines that Alberta’s regulated health professionals must follow and that Alberta Health Services (AHS) has mandated. The MTAA Board of Directors believes that our members can provide essential care for Albertans in a safe and effective manner. We will advocate that our members be allowed to return to practice provided they continue to follow all AHS Infection Control Guidelines, and the MTAA COVID-19 Pandemic Practice Directive, which is aligned with current AHS guidelines. Until an exemption or re-categorization of massage therapy can be confirmed, members must cease practicing in accordance with the provincial government’s mandatory restrictions. Sincerely, MTAA Board of Directors

If you think Massage Therpay should be considered an essential HEALTH service please sign the petition. So many people suffering in pain that utilize massage for relief and healing will now have to wait a minimum of 4 weeks before they can access this essential service again.

Want to know if we direct bill to your insurance company? Send us a message!

For anyone who NEEDS massage, I have opened my schedule all day Saturday to help those suffering with pain, anxiety and stress. DM, text 403-836-2583 or book online. www.citrusandsage.ca

Website has been updated to provide information on the Pandemic Practice directive from the Massage Therapy Association of Alberta. www.citrusandsage.ca Check it out to see what we’re doing to keep things safe!

Yay!!! Stage 2 begins today.

In light of the new restrictions just announced this evening, I will be opening up my calendar this weekend. Book online or send a message to book in before the new restrictions take effect. www.citrusandsage.ca

Stage 2 of reopening Alberta moved up!! Official reopening June 12! Yay!!

Fingers crossed we can get back to work ahead of June 19th!

Falling under the category of Business open by appointment only means we are OPEN! Online booking and direct billing

Massage benefits people with brain tumors.