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Canadian RMTs Eligible for Graston Certification

Oct 7, Indianapolis, IN – After significant research and due diligence, Graston Technique, leaders in instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization technology, has opted to make selected Canadian massage therapists eligible to become GT clinicians.

October 20, 2011  By Massage Therapy Canada


GT has identified a criteria and educational qualifications that would make RMTs eligible for training in Graston Technique certification. Massage therapists must meet the following requirements: graduate of a Canadian Massage Therapy School with a minimum of 2200 hour education program; in practice a minimum of three years; member in good standing in their provincial governing body; carry a minimum of $2 million liability insurance; provide proof of all of the above. 


GT has identified schools in the following provinces whose education program meets the above standard: Alberta, British Columbia; Manitoba; New Brunswick; Newfoundland & Labrador; Nova Scotia; Ontario; Quebec; Saskatchewan. 

Since 2001, GT has received inquiry from hundreds of massage therapists from the U.S., Canada and other countries. On three occasions, GT investigated the possibility of allowing massage therapists to be integrated into the GT program. The issues are numerous; however, the primary one has been the lack of national standards and certifications. While those standards do not exist in the U.S.—it varies from state to state, we are satisfied that many Canadian Schools do qualify because of the extensiveness of their programs and that Canada recognizes them as health care providers. 

“We are very aware there are massage therapists with superior knowledge about the musculoskeletal system, and possess the skill to treat soft tissue dysfunction,” said Michael I. Arnolt, president of Graston Technique. “The issue has been in determining which massage therapists have that specific background. 

“Fortunately, the advanced requirements of many Canadian massage therapy schools, has made it much easier to identify the qualified candidates to be GT clinicians,” he added. He noted there are 63 schools which meet or exceed the education requirements.” 

Qualified therapists will be able to participate in interdisciplinary trainings conducted in Canada and sites near the U.S./Canada border. To ensure the proper mix of professions, registrations spaces for massage therapists will be limited, unless the courses are exclusively for massage therapists. 

Graston Technique currently is part of the advanced degree curriculum at nearly 50 colleges and universities, including Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto, Anglo European Chiropractic College in England, and Murdoch University in Australia. GT is used by more than 11,500 clinicians worldwide, including nearly 700 chiropractors, physiotherapists and certified athletic trainers in Canada. GT also is used by 190 professional and amateur sports organizations, including the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Blue Jays. 

GT utilizes stainless steel instruments to provide clinicians with a mechanical advantage in detecting and treating soft tissue dysfunction. The technique allows clinicians to provide deeper and treat more specifically chronic and acute injuries, including carpal tunnel, shoulder and knee injuries, foot and ankle injuries and low back pain. The efficient treatment also is beneficial to the clinicians, as it protects their hands and upper extremities. 

A list of the specific qualified massage therapy schools can be obtained by emailing 

info@grastontechnique.com.

Click 
for a list of research and articles located on the GT website.


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