Lymphatic Drainage Massage is a gentle, rhythmic massage technique that can help improve healing by relieving swelling or congestion believed to be the underlying cause of many disorders. This may be caused by lymph nodes that have become unable to effectively cleanse the tissues by way of the lymphatic system.

Speed up recovery from injuries such as sprains * Decrease pain and stiffness after athletic events * Reduce bruising and swelling from surgery * Improve migraines and digestive disorders * Minimize the effects of whiplash * Decrease swelling and fatigue during pregnancy * Improve acne and other skin conditions * Alleviate chronic pain, insomnia, and stress * Reduce risk of lymphedema after cancer treatment * Lessen swelling due to lymphedema * Benefit Fibromyalgia, CFS/ME, scleroderma * Pre and post dental work

(The above outcomes are based on clinical experience and are not guaranteed.)

The purpose of Registered Massage therapy is the assessment of soft tissue and joints of the body, leading to treatment for the prevention of physical dysfunction, injury, pain and physical disorders. This is accomplished by manual and physical methods that develop, maintain, rehabilitate or augment physical function, to relieve pain and promote health.

Registered Massage Therapists in BC are trained in the assessment and differential diagnosis of muscle, nerve and joint dysfunction as well as the treatment and prevention of a variety of orthopedic and systemic conditions.

Registered Massage Therapists have completed 3000 hours of College level education. The basis of the educational curriculum is centered around evidence informed solutions to soft tissue and joint problems. In addition to having minimum (75%) passing grades all registrants have successfully passed rigorous Provincial exams based on academic knowledge and practical hands on skills. The profession has evolved to become a primary health care modality in many Canadian Provinces.

The importance of this to the client is the assurance that any health care professional with the RMT designation has the proven ability to provide safe and effective health care for your soft tissue and joint dysfunction.

The massage therapy profession in BC is regulated by the College of Massage Therapy of BC (CMTBC). To further ensure on-going professional competency the CMTBC requires all RMT’s to complete a minimum 24 hours of approved continuing education courses (CEC’s) every two years.

We aim to address underlying causes like ineffective posture and lifestyle habits to help alleviate your symptoms, and to prevent your symptoms from returning. Our goal is to restore and/or maintain functional movement with pain free range of motion through safe, effective treatments using therapeutic approaches such as:

Massage therapy can be helpful in the treatment of a variety of conditions, including but not limited to:

Pre-Screening / Prior to Arrival

• Patients will be informed about their responsibilities at the time of booking. A notice will be placed on the website, and the online booking software will send them a copy of these protocols as part of a Covid-19 specific consent form they will be required to sign electronically, prior to arriving at their appointment.
• One day prior to their booked appointment, the patient will be required to complete the online BC COVID-19 Symptom Self-Assessment tool and to stay home if they experience any symptoms of Covid-19.
• The tool can be found here: https://bc.thrive.health/covid19/en
•  The therapist will contact the patient prior to their appointment as booked to discuss using the self-assessment tool, and the verify that it has been done.
• The therapist will use the BC COVID-19 Self-Assessment tool herself, daily and commits to canceling all appointments if symptoms appear.
• Symptoms of Covid-19 are similar to other respiratory illnesses and seasonal allergies. An appointment must be cancelled immediately if either the patient or the therapist presents with even mild symptoms that may be signs of Covid-19 including:

Fever

Cough

Chills

Shortness of breath

Sore throat or pain with swallowing o Stuffy or runny nose

Loss of sense of smell o Headache

Muscle aches

Fatigue

Loss of appetite

• Covid-19 Symptoms may range from mild to severe.

• Patients must confirm that they have not been in contact with anyone displaying illness, or signs and symptoms of Covid-19 within 14 days prior to their treatment.

• The patient will be required to sign (electronically) a consent and liability waiver with respect to Covid-19 prior to every appointment.

• As a part of the consent form, patients must commit to understanding that while we’ve taken all possible measures to minimize risk of viral transmission, the nature of massage therapy means that physical distancing is not possible in the treatment room.

• Patients with higher risk profiles and/or weakened immune systems should consider alternatives for care and postpone treatment.

• The therapist and patient must agree that the therapeutic benefit of massage therapy outweighs any potential consequence of treatment, including the possibility of viral transmission.

• Patients who develop even mild illness or symptoms must cancel booked appointments, even without notice.

• They will not be charged a late cancellation fee if they cancel due to illness.

• The therapist will advise the patient of her current results from online BC COVID-19 Symptom Self-Assessment tool.
• Patients will be asked to confirm their own current results from online BC COVID-19 Symptom Self-Assessment tool.
• Patients must confirm that they have done a pre-screening and have no signs of Covid-19 as outlined here: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/about-covid-19/symptoms
• Masks must be worn at all times within the clinic space. If the patient has a mask, they are asked to bring it with them and wear it when they arrive. If the patient does not have a mask, a single-use mask will be provided and they will be asked to wear it upon entering the clinic space.
• Patient must confirm that they have not travelled outside British Columbia within 14 days prior to their appointment.
• The treatment will be cancelled immediately if the patient does not meet the pre-screening criteria upon physical presentation at the clinic.

Reception Area / Entry into Clinic Space

• The therapist and the patient will both maintain a space of 2 meters (6 feet) distance between each other in all clinic areas that are outside the treatment room.
• Patients are not permitted to lounge in the clinic reception area before or after the treatment.
• Appointment times are scheduled to reduce the potential of patients crossing paths, and to allow for time in-between sessions for enhanced cleaning.
• Patients are asked to arrive on time and not early or late for appointments.
• Patients are required to wait in their vehicles or on the benches outside the clinic, until the therapist comes to the clinic door to call them in.
• The clinic door will be opened for the patient by the therapist and will be re-opened by the therapist at the end of the appointment for the patient to leave without touching the door knob.

Within the Treatment Room

• It is not possible to maintain physical distancing while in the treatment room.
• Patients will be asked to keep all personal belongings within a plastic basket, which can and will be sanitized between patients.

Reception Area / Entry into Clinic Space

• Immediately upon entering the clinic space the patient must either:
• Go directly to the handwashing sink without touching anything inside the clinic and wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and then dry thoroughly, or
• Use the touchless hand sanitizer dispenser that is fixed to the wall just inside the clinic door outside the treatment room
• The therapist will wash hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds between patients, before and after disinfecting spaces, before donning gloves and after taking gloves off, and before donning or doffing other PPE like face masks or shields.
• Hand washing protocols will be posted visibly in the reception area and at sinks.
• A wireless Point of Sale system with is available for card use. In the event that this does not work, an invoice may be emailed to the patient in order that they pay it online.
• Receipts will be emailed, not printed.

In the Treatment Room

• The therapist will open the door to the treatment room and allow the patient to enter. The therapist will open/close the door before, during and after the treatment as required – reducing the need for the patient to touch the door.
• Patients will be permitted to open the door for themselves after the treatment to let themselves out of the treatment room.
• Tissue is available inside the treatment room that the patient may use as a barrier when opening the door.
• The door and doorknobs will be disinfected between each patient.

• The therapist will communicate with the patient that coronavirus can be transmitted by touch if droplets are on the hand when it touches the face, as it can transfer those infected droplets to the mouth, nose or eyes.
• Tissue will be available throughout the clinic: in the reception area, treatment room and washroom in order that patients and the therapist may use tissue to address an itch and/or touch the face for any other reason.
• The therapist will wear a mask at all times.
• Patients are required to wear face masks that cover both the nose and mouth at all times within the clinic space.
• Intraoral and external TMJ treatments will not be conducted at this time.
• Musculature of the face will not be palpated or treated at this time.

• Visibly soiled surfaces will be cleaned followed by disinfection with a Canada Health Approved for use against Covid-19 disinfectant as listed here: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/disinfectants/covid-19/list.html
• All high touch surfaces will be cleaned and disinfected between patients, regardless of appearances.
• No hydrotherapy supplies, thermophores, table warmers or plush table covers will be used.
• All linens, including blankets and pillow cases are single use only and will be laundered using a professional service.
• A disinfected plastic bin has been placed in the treatment room. The patient will be asked to keep all of their personal belongings in this bin during the treatment.
• Bins will be disinfected between each patient before cycling back into use.

• The therapist will wear a face mask and face shield at all times while working with a patient.
• The therapist’s face mask will be changed in-between appointments.
• Patients are required to wear a clean face mask in the clinic at all times.
• If patients have their own fabric face mask, they are requested clean it prior to use, and to arrive at the clinic wearing it.
• If patients do not have a fabric face mask, a single-use non-medial mask will be provided at the time of their treatment.

Liability Insurance

• The therapist carries professional liability insurance through Wilson M. Beck as provided through the Registered Massage Therapist Association of BC.
• The therapist is following all the health and safety guidelines outlined by the Registered Massage Therapists Association of BC, the College of Massage Therapists of British Columbia and the Provincial Health Officer and that they are taking all reasonable precautions to clean and disinfect the clinic and all the surfaces within the treatment room.
• No guarantees have been made by the therapist, that the patient may not come in contact with COVID-19 at or during an appointment.

In the Event That a Patient Tests Positive for Covid-19 Having Been to a Massage Therapy Appointment within the 14- days Prior to Onset of Symptoms

• The patient will contact the therapist and inform him of positive test results and possible transmission of the virus immediately.
• The therapist will immediately self-isolate.
• The therapist will call public health at 8-1-1 to report the possible transmission and act on direction of Provincial Health.

In the Event That a Patient Alleges they Caught COVID-19 from the Therapist

• The therapist will immediately call public health at 8-1-1 to report the alleged transmission, providing both the name of the RMT and the name and contact details of the patient.
• The patient must agree to the release of this information under these circumstances in order to receive treatment.
• All massage therapy appointments will be cancelled and the Therapist will cease to provide services until Public Health has investigated and provided direction.
• The therapist will immediately self-isolate until Public Health has investigated and provided direction.

In the Event That the Therapist Catches COVID-19 or Displays Symptoms of Covid-19

• The therapist will immediately self-isolate.
• The therapist will call public health at 8-1-1 to report the symptoms and request access to Covid-19 testing.
• If testing is granted:

All massage therapy appointments will be cancelled and the Therapist will cease to provide services until test results are returned negative.

If testing proves positive the therapist will follow Public Health directives in informing patients treated over the previous 14 days about potential transmission.

• If testing is not granted:

All massage therapy appointments will be cancelled and the Therapist will cease to provide services for a minimum of 10-days beyond the onset of symptoms, and/or until symptoms cease.

In the Event That the Therapist Comes into Close Contact with Someone Showing Signs of Illness or Tests Positive for Covid-19

• The therapist will immediately self-isolate.
• All massage therapy appointments will be cancelled and the therapist will cease to provide services until:
• The close contact has been tested for Covid-19 and the results proved negative and the therapist is well, o OR after self-isolating for 14 days and having no symptoms of fever develop.
• OR being cleared by a public health official.

Asymptomatic Spreaders

• Asymptomatic transmission of the coronavirus is an unavoidable risk of practice until we’ve acquired herd immunity, there is an effective treatment or vaccine against Covid-19.
• We have put into place protocols to help mitigate that risk as outlined in the preceding documentation.
• No guarantees have been made by the therapist, that the patient may not come in contact with COVID-19 at or during an appointment.

In the current environment of Covid-19 risk, informed consent requires that the patient be informed and understands that:

• Any massage therapy treatment involves some risk of Covid-19 transmission;
• The therapist is following protocol to help reduce or mitigate risk where possible, but that risk cannot be reduced to zero;
• The patient consents to the treatment despite some risk;

And the RMT will document the patient’s consent in advance and at every treatment.