meet the Exco

Stacy ALLAN

Chairperson

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Tamzen Ayers

General Committee Member

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Ingrid Corbett

Treasurer

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Dedri Prinsloo

Secretary

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Jenny-Lyn Mackintosh

Vice Chair & CPD Rep

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Marniël Visser

Education

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Oratile Matlholwa

General Committee Member

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Caitlin Ellis

Marketing

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INTRODUCTION

Founded in 1989, the Massage Therapy Association of South Africa (MTASA) is the only professional association representing registered Therapeutic Massage Therapists in South Africa. We work to uphold the interests of our members and ensure public safety by liaising with the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA).

Function of Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA)

The mandate of the Council is to ensure public safety and to act in an advisory capacity to the Minister of Health.

The function of MTASA is to uphold and further the interests of registered Therapeutic Massage Therapists in South Africa.

The main focus of MTASA has always been the welfare of its members. It is through the loyalty and patronage of the members that MTASA has continued to grow and flourish. With the enrolment of new members, MTASA will be able to reach even greater heights.

  • Assisting and motivating massage therapists to register with the AHPCSA.
  • Providing support for members in all aspects of their profession.
  • Liaising with the AHPCSA to ensure fair representation for members.
  • Providing continued educational programmes in the field of Therapeutic Massage Therapy.
  • Ensuring professional educational and training standards.
  • Promoting the profession to other health professions and the public.
  • Grooming future leaders in the profession.

Achieving growth through ensuring and promoting a quality profession that is ethical, accessible, safe and proficient. 

The Massage Therapy Association of South Africa shall:

  • Establish functional structures to lead and manage MTASA effectively
  • Establish operational policies procedures and rules to ensure objectivity
  • Strategically and effectively make use of MTASA resources through effective prioritizing and working for the good of all members
  • Introduce control and evaluation measures by which to monitor progress
  • Ensure members follow national and international best practice guidelines
  • Ensure MTASA members practice to the highest standards
  • Promote recognition and improve the image of Therapeutic Massage Therapy as a health discipline
  • Promote education and training in Higher Education Institutions
  • Establish member support structures (Continued professional development, advice and information)
  • Develop a sense of ownership of the strategic plan
  • Actively interact with the AHPCSA with matters relating to Therapeutic Massage Therapy
  • Professional
  • Ethical
  • Efficient
  • Proficient
  • Effective
  • Equity
  • Accountability

Therapeutic Massage Therapy is defined as the mobilisation of soft tissue (such as muscle, fascia and body fluids) to restore normal systemic and biomechanical/functional use. It can used to assist in the treatment of most musculoskeletal and associated problems and regular Therapeutic Massage Therapy results in improved circulatory, lymphatic and neurological functioning. Therapeutic Massage can be stimulating or soothing depending on the technique, depth and speed. Carried out by a Registered Therapist, Therapeutic Massage Therapy is both safe and effective and helps to create balance and harmony from within.

A registered therapeutic massage therapist as defined by the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa:

 “practitioner” means any person registered under the AHPCSA in the professions of Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Homeopathy, Naturopathy, Osteopathy, Phytotherapy, Therapeutic Aromatherapy, Therapeutic Massage Therapy, Therapeutic Reflexology and Unani-Tibb, and any reference to practitioner also includes any person registered as a therapist.

You can be assured that a Therapist registered with the Allied Health Professions Council (AHPCSA)

  1. Has completed at least a 2-year diploma program at a recognised school.
  2. Can adapt treatments to individual patient’s needs and circumstances to facilitate the best healing strategy possible.
  3. Must participate in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to keep up-to-date with changes within healthcare and improve skills.
  4. Is accountable to the AHPCSA through the complaints and discipline processes,  if services they provide do not meet the standards of practice.
  5. Has a practice number that allows patients to claim from medical aids reimbursing for Therapeutic Massage.
  6. May be a member of the Massage Therapy Association of South Africa (MTASA).
  7. Can legally work with and refer to other health professionals.

The intrinsic benefits of touch through the medium of massage have long been recognised. It is the oldest and simplest of all complementary health therapies, and in traditional cultures it is accepted as natural that people of all ages benefit from regular massage.

Therapeutic Massage Therapy is defined as the mobilisation of soft tissue (e.g. muscle, fascia and body fluids etc.) to restore normal systemic and biomechanical / functional use. It can be used to assist in the treatment of most musculoskeletal and associated problems and contributes towards improved circulatory, lymphatic and neurological functioning. It can be stimulating or soothing depending on the technique, depth and speed used and is both safe and effective when carried out by a trained registered therapist who, with the co-operation of the patient, helps to create balance and harmony from within. Today, given the high levels of stress under which many people live, therapeutic massage is not only a most beneficial therapy, but is also the healthiest option/approach to improving the quality of your life.

It is important to choose a registered Therapeutic Massage Therapist with care, to be sure that you are in the hands of a therapist who will treat you with the necessary consideration to touch, in a sympathetic, and caring way and in a safe professional environment. Members of MTASA are required to abide by a Code of Ethics that ensures patients are treated according to recognised professional and ethical standards.

Therapeutic Massage is indicated as a relevant choice of health care in the following areas:

  • Health maintenance and/or health promotion – Promotes general tissue health and encourages lifestyle and general health awareness
  • Stress management – Helps relieve associated muscular tension and encourages general relaxation
  • Post-operative care – Helps reduce recovery period and speeds up the elimination of anaesthetic, as well as reducing pain and stiffness associated with bed-rest
  • Emotional and/or psychological disorders– Releases endorphins that help to uplift and reduce depression
  • Terminal illness – Helps reduce pain and discomfort associated with long term bed-rest as well as providing support and reducing the effects of emotional stress for the patient as well as the family
  • Chronic pain – Helps break the “pain – spasm” cycle whilst reducing associated muscle tightness
  • Care of the disabled – Provides emotional support as well as assisting in the maintenance of general tissue health
  • Pre and/or post-event sports’ participation – Improves performance and recovery and reduces the likelihood of serious injury

The Massage Therapy Association (MTASA) was founded in 1989 as a non-profit organization with the aim in working towards the professional recognition of Therapeutic Massage Therapy in South Africa. MTASA has been serving its members for over 30 years.

A Brief History of MTA’s Involvement in the Profession

  • Formerly known as ‘Holistic Massage Practitioners Association’
  • Motivated Therapeutic Massage Therapists to work as a cohesive group to foster respect for the profession by developing and adhering to uniform standards, codes of practice and conduct
  • Raised the profile of Therapeutic Massage Therapy amongst the health professions, the public and the government departments
  • Negotiated with the Chiropractors, Homeopaths and Allied Health Services Professions Interim Council on behalf of Therapeutic Massage Therapists in South Africa
  • Successfully lobbied for the registration of Therapeutic Massage Therapy as a statutory recognised profession
  • Participated in the rewriting of the amended Allied Health Professions Act No. 63 of 1982 to protect the interests of Therapeutic Massage Therapy and Therapeutic Massage Therapists


MTASA is managed by an annually elected Committee with its own Constitution, Code of Ethics and Conditions of Membership to govern the conduct of its members. It is to date, the only professional association representing the interests of Therapeutic Massage Therapists in South Africa.