On The Table: A podcast presented by Massage Therapy Canada

The role of empathy in the therapeutic relationship: Are massage therapists properly equipped, in their training and informed by evidence, to respond appropriately to patient affect, particularly in advanced care situations?

In this episode, Editor Jannen Belbeck interviews Janet Penny (RMT) and Rebecca Sturgeon (LMT), co-authors of the book "Oncology Massage: An integrative approach to cancer care." Listen in as we talk about unique challenges to the therapeutic relationship, debunk myths about oncology massage, pertinent intake questions, confidence in treating, and much more. To buy the text and for more information, visit annexbookstore.com

Massage Therapists are struggling through an unprecedented event in their lifetime – a pandemic. This pandemic necessitates physical distancing and suspension of practice to slow the spread of the virus. As COVID19 cases decline, provincial governments are slowly re-opening the economy. Massage therapists have many questions as how to return to practice effectively and safely. In this episode we speak with Lori Green, Executive Director of the Massage Therapists Association of Saskatchewan (MTAS) about their return to work resources, PPE requirements (and associated costs, workplace alterations, how the Canadian Massage Therapist Alliance (CMTA) are coordinating their efforts for RMTs across the country, and more!

With the advent of phone apps and the desire for convenient, on-demand services, mobile massage has become popular in North America. Much like Uber popularized on-demand travel options, companies like Massago have tapped into the realm of on-demand healthcare. Listen in as we discuss the new markets being served by these businesses, address safety concerns, compensation, and challenging the existing delivery of care models of massage. What is the next iteration of on demand mobile massage, and how will technology continue to play a role? We discuss all of this and more with the CEO of Massago, Allan Skok.

In part II of our interview with Pam Fitch we explore ethical dilemmas and what makes them complicated. Specifically, we discuss issues related to “power”. Although massage therapists hold positions of responsibility, they may not feel particularly powerful and able to manage the therapeutic relationship. When that happens, they discover the cost of “being nice” instead of professionally responsible and this often results in challenging ethical dilemmas. At the same time, when therapists exploit their positions of responsibility and power, clients are at risk.

“We connect with our clients physiologically, yet our touch is interpreted psychologically.” Talking Body, Listening Hands: A Guide to the Massage Therapeutic Relationships prompts a discussion of communication and ethical challenges associated with massage therapy practice. In this podcast we explore professional responsibilities, communication skills, and interpersonal challenges that massage therapists face day to day. How does the Code of Ethics frame Scope of Practice in assisting the practitioner in complicated decision making? How do we build a “working alliance” with clients? What is a “touch-triggered” response? How can we effectively set boundaries? This and more as we consider all that happens in the therapeutic encounter.

Casey House opened its doors in 1988 as Canada's first and only stand-alone hospital for people with HIV/AIDS. It's a place where clients can receive holistic care in a non-judgmental, stigma-free setting. Situated on Jarvis Street in downtown Toronto, Casey House's new 58.000 square-foot home ensures those who live with HIV/AIDS are not forgotten or overlooked. Casey House provides innovative, comprehensive health care through 1) Inpatient day health programs; 2) Community care and outreach; 3) Social community programming and; 4) Research and education.

The act of massage therapy has been regulated for 100 years. In the recent 25 years, regulation has increased in complexity and the level of compliance demanded of its members. Fees to maintain the privilege of self-regulation have risen considerably, and some have become increasingly vocal in their disaffection for the regulatory body's approach in Ontario. With self-regulation moving at a slow pace across the country, and health insurance companies finding ways to work with practitioners in non-regulated provinces, do the costs of self-regulation outweigh the benefits? Ian Kamm, RMT, speaks to these questions and more.

Many patients utilize workplace benefits to pay or partially pay for their massage therapy care. Insurers agree, there are benefits to receiving massage therapy, but are concerned benefits are short-term, lower cost alternatives for the same outcomes are available, and question the exploitive business practices of some practitioners. Insurers are signalling that change is coming, and stakeholders in the massage therapy profession should double-down on efforts to improve relations, ensure accountability and demonstrate efficacy. Join veteran RMT Don Dillon and MTC editor Jannen Belbeck as they point to signs that insurance reimbursement for massage therapy is ripe for change. We also provide updates from RMTAO ED Andrew Lewarne on a follow up meeting with Greenshield Canada, and the RMT ACT campaign to de-list massage therapy as a taxable health service.

Donelda Gowan maintains adverse events are common with massage therapy intervention. In her 2017 dissertation, Gowan posits, "Safety in massage therapy is understudied. There is little information on what constitutes an adverse event from the perspective of stakeholders including MTs, other health care providers, insurers, regulators, educators, and patients." Today we discuss the frequency of adverse events related to massage therapy, concepts of hurt versus harm and harm versus healing, patient and practitioner perspectives on adverse events, and what the profession can do to measure and monitor adverse events to inform the profession at large, and build public trust.

Massage therapists frequently experience strained relationships with the public and media. Associations with the sex trade, sexual abuse, alternative therapies and insurance fraud have hurt the profession. Practitioners can influence public perception by reaching out to the media while sending the right messages to the front line of their practice. In this edition of On the Table, we speak with RMT and veteran of public and media relations, Margaret Wallis-Duffy. Learn critical skills to position you in positive light, whether speaking to a referring health professional, your patients, or the media.

Without provincial health funding, clients of RMTs rely heavily on employee health benefit plans (EHBPs) to finance their massage therapy care. Worker's compensation and auto-insurance are reportedly tough to work with, and increasingly insurers attempt to position themselves as guardians of health care funding. With adversity rising in relations with some insurers, practitioners worry for this source of funding while insurers are critical on whether utilization of massage therapy provides real value for dollars spent. In this edition of On The Table, we speak with RMTAO Executive Director Andrew Lewarne on his conversations with GreenShield, the concerns insurance companies are expressing, and what the massage therapy profession can do to improve insurer relations.