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.
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.
The primary benefit of belonging to MTASA is knowing that there is the powerful, collective and unified voice of a recognised professional association advising, monitoring and negotiating with the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA) to ensure that the best interests of its members are considered. It is only as a collective, recognised body that we can effectively market and promote our profession and thereby effect the necessary changes in other health professions and the public’s perception of our profession. Now, more than ever before, there is a role that MTASA can play to assist you to achieve your goals in this, your chosen profession. Membership is voluntary and registration mandatory.
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)
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:
