Address
168 Hobson's Lake Drive
Suite 301, Unit 4
Beechville, Nova Scotia, B3S OG4
Work Hours
Monday to Friday: 9am – 5pm
Weekend: Closed
What We Do
MTANS is dedicated to excellence in serving its members, protecting the public, and promoting the highest possible quality of the practice of Massage Therapy. We endorse the national standard for Massage Therapy education which is the completion of a minimum 2200 hour curriculum from a recognized school of Massage Therapy. This includes the study of anatomy, massage and assessment techniques, physiology, pathology, treatments, and clinical experience, therapeutic exercise and thermal applications. Post graduate professional development requirements ensure that MTANS members maintain competencies and practice in a safe and ethical manner.
All MTANS members must carry general and professional liability insurance, agree to honour a strict code of ethics and observe our adopted Standards of Practice.
Mission
Promote and support excellence for Massage Therapists in Nova Scotia.
Vision
- All massage therapists practicing in the province are regulated by provincial legislation.
- All massage therapists strive to expand their knowledge through continued professional development.
- All massage therapists participate in the promotion of the practice for the well being of the public.
- All massage therapists embrace the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice to ensure public safety and confidence are maintained.
Purpose
- To promote the science, art and philosophy of Massage Therapy for the betterment of public health and in the public interest.
- To represent its membership before governmental and regulating bodies concerned with Massage Therapy.
- To foster and encourage professional and ethical standards among its members.
- To encourage high standards of education for students of Massage Therapy.
- To increase the awareness and knowledge of the general public concerning the benefits of Massage Therapy.
- To liaise with and recommend potential students to recognized schools of Massage Therapy.
- To offer post graduate education and set post graduate standards.
History
Massage Therapy came into increased prominence during World War I, at the time when Canada helped care for its soldiers overseas. Orthopedic centres, devoted to conditions involving the musculoskeletal system, were among the many makeshift hospitals set up during that time. These centres began offering hydrotherapy and massage to injured soldiers. Throughout World War I, nearly 2,000 soldiers were treated daily with massage, establishing Massage Therapy as a necessary and valued form of health care. MTANS has been representing Massage Therapists and overseeing the safe and ethical practice of Massage Therapy in Nova Scotia since 1990. In 2019, the Nova Scotia Government passed the Massage Therapist Titles Protection Act, guaranteeing that only qualified Massage Therapists can use the protected titles of Massage Therapist (MT) or Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) in Nova Scotia.
1989
First meetings of massage therapists in Halifax and discussion of creating an association
1990
Registration with Joint Stocks of MTANS with 14 members
1990
Became one of the founding associations of the Canadian Massage Therapy Alliance (CMTA)
1992
Hosted meeting of Canadian Massage Therapy Alliance (CMTA)
1997
Supported the opening of the first Massage Therapy College in Nova Scotia
2000
Second Massage Therapy College opens
2004
Massage Therapy legislation passed but not declared law
2007
MTANS launches annual Conference and Trade Show
2011
Third Massage Therapy College opens
2012
Fourth Massage Therapy College opens
2013
Telus Health provides online billing for major insurance carriers to MTANS members
2014
Meeting with the Department of Health and Wellness to re-explore the regulation of Massage Therapy
2019
Hosted meeting of Canadian Massage Therapy Alliance (CMTA)
2019
Joint submission made to the Department of Health and Wellness for the regulation of Massage therapy in Nova Scotia
2020
Act to Protect the Titles of Massage Therapists comes into effect, 1 January, 2020 (Bill No.193)
Mission
Promote and support excellence for Massage Therapists in Nova Scotia.
Vision
- MTANS members are key partners in delivering accessible care to Nova Scotians.
Core Values
Members First
MTANS actively seeks to understand and prioritize the needs and expectations of its members. We place our members’ experience at the heart of everything we do, and we are committed to providing services that address the unique requirements of RMTs in Nova Scotia.
Excellence
MTANS values excellence and encourages a culture of creativity and innovation to stay at the forefront of the Massage Therapy industry.
Leadership
MTANS leads the way toward a shared vision of a better future for our industry and our members. We are committed to build a leadership team that reflects the diversity of our membership and stakeholders.
Accountability
We take ownership of our actions, decisions, and outcomes, recognizing that accountability is fundamental to achieving and maintaining high standards of excellence.
Respect
MTANS promotes a culture of mutual respect that encourages open dialogue, active listening, shared understanding, inclusivity, and professionalism.
History
Massage Therapy came into increased prominence during World War I, at the time when Canada helped care for its soldiers overseas. Orthopedic centres, devoted to conditions involving the musculoskeletal system, were among the many makeshift hospitals set up during that time. These centres began offering hydrotherapy and massage to injured soldiers. Throughout World War I, nearly 2,000 soldiers were treated daily with massage, establishing Massage Therapy as a necessary and valued form of health care. MTANS has been representing Massage Therapists and overseeing the safe and ethical practice of Massage Therapy in Nova Scotia since 1990. In 2019, the Nova Scotia Government passed the Massage Therapist Titles Protection Act, guaranteeing that only qualified Massage Therapists can use the protected titles of Massage Therapist (MT) or Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) in Nova Scotia.
1989
First meetings of alternative practitioners in Halifax and discussion of creating an association
1990
Registration with Joint Stocks of MTANS with 14 members
1990
Became one of the founding associations of the Canadian Massage Therapy Alliance (CMTA)
1992
Hosted meeting of Canadian Massage Therapy Alliance (CMTA)
1997
Supported the opening of the first Massage Therapy College in Nova Scotia
2000
Second Massage Therapy College opens
2004
Massage Therapy legislation passed but not declared law
2007
MTANS launches annual Conference and Trade Show
2011
Third Massage Therapy College opens
2012
Fourth Massage Therapy College opens
2013
Telus Health provides online billing for major insurance carriers to MTANS members
2014
Meeting with the Department of Health and Wellness to re-explore the regulation of Massage Therapy
2019
Hosted meeting of Canadian Massage Therapy Alliance (CMTA)
2019
Joint submission made to the Department of Health and Wellness for the regulation of Massage therapy in Nova Scotia
2020
Act to Protect the Titles of Massage Therapists comes into effect, 1 January, 2020 (Bill No.193)