The Complete Guide to Massage Therapy: Techniques and Professional
Standards for 2025/2026
A sequence of techniques applied to the back,
Massage pattern starting with light compressions and shaking,
followed by effleurage, palm kneading, and
other methods to manipulate the tissue.
Terms in this set (106)
A massage technique involving long, sweeping
Effleurage
strokes typically used to warm up the tissue
and promote relaxation.
A technique where the palms are used to
Palm kneading
knead the tissue, applying pressure in a
superficial-deep-superficial manner.
A technique applied along the multifidus,
Muscle stripping
moving unilaterally with moderate pressure to
release tension in the muscles.
A technique that involves using the thumbs to
Thumb kneading
knead the tissue, often applied around the
scapula.
A technique that uses the fingertips to knead
Fingertip kneading
the tissue, typically applied unilaterally to the
shoulders.
A technique that uses the palms broadly to
Broad palm kneading
apply a lesser deep petrissage technique to
the shoulder area.
A technique applied unilaterally to the
C-scooping
trapezius to warm the tissue using lighter
pressure.
A technique applied to the upper trapezius,
Muscle squeezing
using squeezing motions to manipulate the
tissue.
The obligation to report any form of abuse,
Mandatory reporting
misuse of power, or professional misconduct
, to ensure a stable environment and personal
liability.
Posterior Superior Iliac A landmark used in massage therapy to determine where
Spine to drape the client.
Yes, traffic and municipal infractions count
Traffic infractions
reporting as an offence to be reported to the CMTO.
You must report if you have reasonable
Circumstances for
grounds to believe a client has been sexually
reporting another
abused by a registrant of the College or any
professional
member of another health regulatory college.
Two main principles of Superficial deep superficial and general specific general.
back techniques
Methods such as effleurage, compressions, or
Opening techniques
stroking used to prepare the tissue for
deeper work.
The process of using effleurage to promote
Flushing the tissue
circulation and release tension in the tissue.
The final phase of a massage where lighter
Closing the technique
and more rhythmic strokes are applied to
ease the client.
A consistent pace maintained throughout the
Steady rhythm
massage techniques to promote relaxation.
The muscle tissues located on the sides of the
Lateral tissues
back that may be opened using wringing
techniques.
Unilateral application A technique applied to one side of the body, such as
muscle stripping or kneading.
A level of pressure applied during techniques
Moderately deeper
pressure that is stronger than superficial but not
excessively deep.
Light pressure A gentle touch used in certain techniques to promote
relaxation and comfort.
Bail Condition A restriction imposed on or agreed to by the
registrant in connection with a charge.
Violations of the Criminal Code of Canada or
Breaches of the Criminal
Code federal drug legislation, open to all forms of
charge, including driving.
Elder Abuse The act of mistreating or otherwise harming an
elderly person.
Mistreatment or harm done to a child, which may be
Child Abuse
Standards for 2025/2026
A sequence of techniques applied to the back,
Massage pattern starting with light compressions and shaking,
followed by effleurage, palm kneading, and
other methods to manipulate the tissue.
Terms in this set (106)
A massage technique involving long, sweeping
Effleurage
strokes typically used to warm up the tissue
and promote relaxation.
A technique where the palms are used to
Palm kneading
knead the tissue, applying pressure in a
superficial-deep-superficial manner.
A technique applied along the multifidus,
Muscle stripping
moving unilaterally with moderate pressure to
release tension in the muscles.
A technique that involves using the thumbs to
Thumb kneading
knead the tissue, often applied around the
scapula.
A technique that uses the fingertips to knead
Fingertip kneading
the tissue, typically applied unilaterally to the
shoulders.
A technique that uses the palms broadly to
Broad palm kneading
apply a lesser deep petrissage technique to
the shoulder area.
A technique applied unilaterally to the
C-scooping
trapezius to warm the tissue using lighter
pressure.
A technique applied to the upper trapezius,
Muscle squeezing
using squeezing motions to manipulate the
tissue.
The obligation to report any form of abuse,
Mandatory reporting
misuse of power, or professional misconduct
, to ensure a stable environment and personal
liability.
Posterior Superior Iliac A landmark used in massage therapy to determine where
Spine to drape the client.
Yes, traffic and municipal infractions count
Traffic infractions
reporting as an offence to be reported to the CMTO.
You must report if you have reasonable
Circumstances for
grounds to believe a client has been sexually
reporting another
abused by a registrant of the College or any
professional
member of another health regulatory college.
Two main principles of Superficial deep superficial and general specific general.
back techniques
Methods such as effleurage, compressions, or
Opening techniques
stroking used to prepare the tissue for
deeper work.
The process of using effleurage to promote
Flushing the tissue
circulation and release tension in the tissue.
The final phase of a massage where lighter
Closing the technique
and more rhythmic strokes are applied to
ease the client.
A consistent pace maintained throughout the
Steady rhythm
massage techniques to promote relaxation.
The muscle tissues located on the sides of the
Lateral tissues
back that may be opened using wringing
techniques.
Unilateral application A technique applied to one side of the body, such as
muscle stripping or kneading.
A level of pressure applied during techniques
Moderately deeper
pressure that is stronger than superficial but not
excessively deep.
Light pressure A gentle touch used in certain techniques to promote
relaxation and comfort.
Bail Condition A restriction imposed on or agreed to by the
registrant in connection with a charge.
Violations of the Criminal Code of Canada or
Breaches of the Criminal
Code federal drug legislation, open to all forms of
charge, including driving.
Elder Abuse The act of mistreating or otherwise harming an
elderly person.
Mistreatment or harm done to a child, which may be
Child Abuse
