🗂️ RMT Glossary: A–Z for Your Next Massage Therapy Session
| Term | What It Means (For You, the Patient) |
|---|---|
| Active Release Therapy (ART) | A hands-on treatment that targets tight muscles and helps break up scar tissue. Great for sports injuries or repetitive strain. |
| Assessment | Your therapist’s first step—asking questions, testing movement, and feeling tissue tension to create a custom treatment plan. |
| Booking Window | The time range during which appointments are available for online booking. |
| Cupping Therapy | A suction-based technique used to improve circulation and release muscle knots. Sometimes leaves temporary marks. |
| Consent Form | A document you sign that gives your RMT permission to treat you and confirms you understand what to expect. |
| Client Intake Form | A form with your health history, symptoms, and treatment goals. Usually filled out before your first session. |
| Direct Billing | Your RMT bills your insurance provider directly—so you don’t pay upfront. Not all therapists offer this. |
| Deep Tissue Massage | A technique that works on deeper layers of muscles. Ideal for chronic tension or long-standing pain. |
| Dry Needling | Sometimes used alongside RMT (if cross-trained)—a method where fine needles are inserted to release trigger points. |
| Duration | How long your session is—commonly 30, 45, 60, or 90 minutes. |
| Extended Health Benefits | Your private health insurance coverage for services like massage therapy. |
| Fascia | A web-like connective tissue that surrounds your muscles. RMTs often work on it to improve mobility. |
| Friction Technique | A small, targeted massage movement used to break down scar tissue. |
| Gliding Strokes | A foundational Swedish massage technique for warming up tissue and promoting relaxation. |
| Homecare | Recommendations your RMT gives you after treatment (e.g., stretches, hydration, rest) to extend the benefits. |
| Hydrotherapy | Using hot or cold compresses to complement your massage treatment. |
| Informed Consent | Verbal or written agreement before your therapist begins treatment. Always required and revocable at any time. |
| Joint Play | Gentle movements performed by your RMT to test and improve your joint mobility. |
| Kneading | A common massage technique using circular hand motions to loosen muscle tension. |
| Lubricant | The oil, lotion, or gel used during treatment to reduce friction and make movements smoother. |
| Manual Therapy | Hands-on care, typically using pressure, movement, and stretching to treat pain and dysfunction. |
| Modalities | The different styles or techniques used in massage (e.g., Swedish, deep tissue, myofascial release). |
| MTAA / CMTO | Professional associations and the regulatory body for RMTs in Canada and Ontario. Ensure your therapist is licensed. |
| Muscle Stripping | A slow, deep technique that follows the direction of muscle fibers to elongate tissue. |
| Myofascial Release | A gentle but deep technique to relieve tension in the fascia, great for chronic pain. |
| Neuromuscular Therapy | A precise approach to address trigger points and nerve-related pain. |
| Orthopedic Massage | Focuses on musculoskeletal conditions—often used in injury rehab or chronic conditions. |
| Palpation | The skillful way your RMT uses their hands to feel muscle texture, tightness, and alignment. |
| Peri-Treatment | Everything that happens before, during, and after your massage: assessment, treatment, and follow-up. |
| Postural Assessment | A visual and manual check of your body’s alignment to identify imbalances. |
| Pressure | The amount of force applied during massage—always customizable based on your comfort and goals. |
| Progress Notes | The RMT’s documentation of your treatments and how your condition improves over time. |
| Range of Motion (ROM) | How far and freely your joints and muscles can move. Often tested before and after treatment. |
| Reflexive Effects | Massage benefits such as relaxation, stress reduction, and better sleep—not just muscle pain relief. |
| Rehabilitation Massage | Tailored massage therapy for recovery from injuries or surgeries. |
| Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) | Common in office workers—results from doing the same motion repeatedly (e.g., typing). |
| Scope of Practice | What your RMT is legally trained and allowed to do. Ask if you’re unsure what’s included. |
| Self-Care | The daily actions you take to support your recovery—guided by your RMT’s advice. |
| Shiatsu-Inspired Pressure | A finger-pressure technique (some RMTs may offer this style) to improve energy flow. |
| SOAP Notes | Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan—a format your RMT uses for clinical records. |
| Soft Tissue | Muscles, fascia, tendons, and ligaments—all commonly treated by massage therapy. |
| Stretching (Passive or Active) | Lengthening muscles to improve flexibility. Your RMT may assist you or coach you to do it. |
| Swedish Massage | The classic relaxation massage—long, smooth strokes, ideal for first-timers. |
| Tendonitis | A condition your RMT may help you manage—caused by inflamed tendons from overuse. |
| Tissue Resistance | The “tightness” your RMT feels when applying pressure to muscles or fascia. |
| Trigger Points | Commonly called “knots”—tight, tender spots in muscles that refer pain elsewhere. |
| Tuina (Tui Na) | A Traditional Chinese Medicine-based massage method some RMTs are trained in. |
| Treatment Plan | The personalized care strategy your RMT develops to address your health goals. |
| WSIB Claims | Workplace injury treatments that may be covered through WSIB if your RMT is registered. |
| Zero-Balance Billing | When insurance covers your treatment fully—so you pay nothing out of pocket. |
✅ Bonus: We’re publishing the complete 100-term glossary as a downloadable PDF for new patients and clinics. Stay tuned at rmtclinic.net/newsblog
Empowerment Begins with Clarity 💬
This glossary is more than a list—it’s part of your journey to better health and greater understanding. When you know what your therapist is doing (and why), you become an active partner in your healing.
📌 Whether you’re an RMT clinic or a curious patient, bookmark this page and share it widely.
Find a Registered Massage Therapist Near You
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Written by Henry Tse
Founder, RMT Clinic Network Organization
Helping Canadians access trusted care with confidence.
