Many extended health care insurance plans, such as those that might be offered through your workplace, allow coverage for a certain amount of massage per year. As a believer in the healing strength of massage, I think this is a great thing. However, most insurance companies only recognize certain regulated modalities as being eligible for coverage: most specifically, Registered Massage Therapy and Chiroporacty. These professions have an extensive history of lobbying with both the medical community and insurance companies and so enjoy this special status.
Massage Therapy incorporates a regulated methodology of bodywork which is very different from the methodology of Thai massage, coming more predominantly from a “Western”, alopathic approach rather than a more “Eastern”, holistic approach. Both approaches are valid and I don’t place greater value on either. But as someone who has spent many years studying and working within the Asian physical and metaphysical traditions, I have made the decision to specialize in the art of Thai massage rather than to follow the curriculum to become a Registered Massage Therapist.
The end result for you, the client is that my services are not generally covered by extended health care plans.
In the event that Thai massage becomes a regulated profession in Canada or Ontario, I will be one of the first people to line up at the door, and I will be pleased to write insurance claims for everyone.
In the meantime, you may wish to consider the value of investing in a session of Thai massage, keeping in mind that insurance only covers a portion of each massage and that you are limited to a certain number every year. Thai massage is an excellent companion to a routine of massage therapy as well.
If you have any questions, I’ll be more than happy to address them. I also encourage you to contact your insurer and ask them why Thai massage isn’t covered in their plan and suggest that something be done about that.
Be well,
Devin