Features Continuing Education Education
From the Publisher/Editor: Spring 2002

From the publisher

Jill R. Rogers, RMT

After three years, 11 months, four days, two stops and three starts I am both thrilled and honoured to have been involved in the creation and release of Canada’s first magazine for the Massage Therapy profession.

My desire to be a massage professional dates back to my age of three. Perched confidently upon my father’s back I announced, “I am fixing Daddy, Mommy … watch me.” I used this natural ability to help with many daily afflictions. My sister, furious one day said, “you can’t massage Mom’s feet and get out of doing the dishes every time it is your turn!” My response … “watch me.”

As I approached the end of my last year of high school, my desire had become my mission. Classmates offered comments such as “you can’t make a living by massaging people!” My response … “watch me.”

I entered the Massage Therapy programme in 1986 at the age of 17. I was met with the comment “we are enrolling mature students, people 21 and older, we are not sure you can do this yet …” My response … “watch me.” Eighteen months and 2,200 hours later, I graduated from the original Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy in Sutton, Ontario. I was honoured to be selected class valedictorian.

It has been 14 years since I earned the title Massage Therapist. I have thoroughly enjoyed my choice of profession. I have noticed on several occasions in my earlier years of practice, however, a certain feeling of seclusion.  At times so busy that interaction with other Massage professionals in the region was very difficult. Nationally, Impossible!

I feel that to be a full-time caregiver and not share and receive from others in our profession can cause you to become drained and limit your ability to give.

This realization prompted me to move beyond the safe walls of my private practice to the world of education. I have been involved in the administration and instruction of  massage therapy for four years now. 

The desire to become Nationally connected developed as I experienced the excitement of students planning the return to home provinces or relocating to far-off places where their dreams waited patiently.

When I first communicated the idea of a national magazine, the comment was made, “do you think Canadian therapists will be open and involved with such a publication?” Our response, “watch them!”

I would like to thank all those involved in this our first issue release. Thank you to Susan, my sons, Matthew and Tim, my parents, Jack, Judy and Betty, my sister, Carrie-Lynn and my brother, Gary, for their support and belief in me.

– Jill R. Rogers, RMT

From the editor

Susan Repa CYW, RMT

For many years Massage Therapists have wondered when someone in Canada was going to put together a forum for all of us to communicate with each other on a National level.

It is with great pride, excitement and a touch of trepidation that I introduce Massage Therapy Canada Magazine, the first Canadian trade magazine for Massage Therapists. This achievement has been a collaborative effort that couldn’t and wouldn’t have happened without the vision, insight and hard work of Jill Rogers. Our objective during the growing pains was to weave a magazine between her dream and the reality.

Our vision is your vision. We have spoken with Massage Therapists over the course of the last two years. Challenge us, stimulate us, provoke us, encourage us and educate us has been the ongoing theme. You have made it clear that you want practical information on clinical applications, assessment and practice management. Legislatively, you want to know what is happening in each province and how it effects our profession Nationally. You have also indicated a desire to be informed on both current and future research.

This is our mission and, as daunting as it may seem, we welcome the challenge. We look to you as we have during the course of the last two years for your thoughts, input and suggestions. Learn with us. Grow with us.

Congratulations Jill and thank you for your vision, diligence and tenacity in seeing Massage Therapy Canada Magazine through to fruition.

– Susan Repa CYW, RMT