Massage therapy is the manipulation of soft tissues of the body including muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments and joints. Massage therapy is a clinically-oriented healthcare option that helps alleviate the discomfort associated with every day occupational stresses, muscular over-use and many chronic pain conditions.
Massage therapy should only be provided by a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT). An RMT is a primary healthcare provider in Ontario and anyone may visit an RMT of their choice.
Massage therapy can be used as a treatment for both acute and chronic conditions. RMTs work with a wide variety of patients in the treatment of illness, injury rehabilitation and disability.
The services of an RMT are not covered under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP); however, many extended health benefit plans will cover all or part of the services provided by an RMT. A referral or prescription is not required to visit an RMT, although some insurance companies may require this. Massage therapy treatments may also be reimbursed by automobile insurance companies, if the client was in a motor vehicle accident, or in the case of workplace injuries, by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB).
On the first visit you will complete a confidential health history as part of your assessment. Your massage therapist will assess your individual needs as well as other factors that may be contributing to your injury or condition. The RMT will develop a treatment plan with you to ensure you receive appropriate treatment. The treatment plan can be changed at any time and will be reassessed at an appropriate time. You have no obligation to undergo any part of a treatment. Your treatment will begin once you have given your informed consent. This involves setting realistic goals for treatment, discussing possible responses to treatment, and being informed of alternative care options.
A Registered Massage Therapist is an individual who is registered with the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO) in accordance with the Regulated Health Professionals Act and the Massage Therapy Act. Only members of the CMTO are permitted to use the title of Registered Massage Therapist or Massage Therapist, or the designation of RMT or MT.
The College of Massage Therapists of Ontario (CMTO) is the regulatory body for Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) in Ontario. They protect the public interest by ensuring the competency and quality of care provided by Massage Therapists. All RMTs in Ontario are required to be registered with the CMTO. Individuals who are not registered with the CMTO are not permitted to practice massage therapy in Ontario or call themselves Massage Therapists in Ontario.
To check if an individual is a Registered Massage Therapist, visit the CMTO website to access the public directory.
Massage therapy treatments provided by a Registered Massage Therapist can offer significant benefits for a variety of conditions and for diverse patient populations. Whether you need to have a moment of relaxation, reduce muscle tension or attain relief from chronic pain, massage therapy can enhance your overall well-being. Massage therapy can help alleviate musculoskeletal disorders associated with everyday stress, muscular overuse, physical manifestation of mental distress and many persistent pain syndromes.
Massage therapy can be an important part of your health maintenance plan by:
Massage therapy can treat both acute and chronic conditions. RMTs work with a wide variety of patients in the treatment of illness, injury, rehabilitation and disability.
Massage therapy can prove beneficial to many conditions, including but not limited to the following:
Massage therapy can also be used as part of a preventative care program. This includes sports training, injury prevention, ongoing stress management and more!
Your massage therapist will require an overall picture of your current health and a detailed health history in order to design a treatment plan that’s right for you. If a massage therapist determines that your condition would be better treated by another healthcare professional, they will make the appropriate referral.
The RMTAO has provided information about average rates for massage therapy across Ontario. This is broken down by district, as defined below, as rates for massage therapy vary across the province. RMTs do not have to charge these rates, and an individual RMTs rate may vary for a variety of reasons including experience, additional education, modalities offered, and more. This is just to give an idea of the averages in massage therapy fees and act as a starting point for decision making. These numbers are based on annual surveys of RMTAO members.
District 1 – Kenora, Rainy River, Thunder Bay, Cochrane, Algoma, Manitoulin, Sudbury and Timiskaming
District 2 – Nipissing, the counties of Renfrew, Hastings, Prince Edward, Frontenac and Lanark, the united counties of Lennox and Addington, Leeds and Grenville, Prescott and Russell, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry and the regional municipality of Ottawa Carleton
District 3 – Muskoka, the territorial district of Parry Sound, the counties of Haliburton, Peterborough, Northumberland, Victoria and the regional municipalities of Durham and York
District 4 – City of Toronto west from Yonge Street
District 5 – Counties of Simcoe, Dufferin, Wellington, Halton and Peel
District 6 – Counties of Grey, Bruce, Huron, Perth, Oxford, Elgin, Kent, Middlesex, Lambton, and Essex
District 8 – Counties of Waterloo, Hamilton Wentworth, Brant, HaldimandNorfolk, and Niagara
District 9 – City of Toronto east from Yonge Street
2025 Average Hourly Rate by District(Ontario)
These are the average reported rates (pre-HST) in 2025 for different appointment times in the districts defined above.
| District 1 | District 2 | District 3 | District 4 | District 5 | District 6 | District 8 | District 9 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 minutes | $50.00 | $42.65 | $41.20 | $38.00 | $43.53 | $39.23 | $46.82 | $42.37 |
| 30 minutes | $69.02 | $73.32 | $65.89 | $76.92 | $69.66 | $64.96 | $68.70 | $72.70 |
| 45 minutes | $83.54 | $91.84 | $84.46 | $99.76 | $88.62 | $81.67 | $87.05 | $95.07 |
| 60 minutes | $102.27 | $112.02 | $104.22 | $122.80 | $109.52 | $100.04 | $105.48 | $116.22 |
| 75 minutes | $117.65 | $132.01 | $122.94 | $144.09 | $129.52 | $119.41 | $126.69 | $138.42 |
| 90 minutes | $141.09 | $154.23 | $147.09 | $167.74 | $150.81 | $139.56 | $146.84 | $162.47 |
| 120 minutes | $170.63 | $207.27 | $194.14 | $221.55 | $210.50 | $193.39 | $194.33 | $215.68 |
