Frequently Asked Questions

Descriptions of Massage Therapies

I would like to be involved with the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games as a sports massage practitioner. What qualifications will I need and where do I apply?

The London Organising Committee of the the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) give this information .. <link>

What is Vetting and Barring and how does it apply to employers and employees?

From 12 October 2009, new measures are being introduced to help prevent unsuitable people undertaking paid or volunteer work with children or vulnerable adults.

It’s called the Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) and the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) has been set up to help implement the Scheme and make decisions over who should be barred from working with vulnerable people. Those decisions are legally binding too. Failing to comply could result in both the employer and the employee or volunteer being prosecuted, or even going to prison.

For further information or link to ISA website

I am moving to the UK and wish to work as a Massage Practitioner. What should I do to have my training recognised and begin work?

• Contact a professional association with a view to becoming a member
• The professional association will be able to accredit your training providing it meets current standards (your documents will be required in English)
• The professional associations will source suitable insurance for you, one of many provisions made for members
• Contact the Local Authority as you maybe need to be licenced in that area. Some professional associations have waivers for their members.

What form of regulation exists for Massage Therapy in the UK?

• Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) is the regulatory body for Massage Therapies and other complementary therapies in the UK.
• This is a voluntary system, supported by the Department of Health, which has recommended the NHS source complementary therapists from the CNHC register
• For further information about regulation and the regulatory register www.cnhc.org.uk

How do GCMT, professional associations and CNHC work together?

• GCMT is the governing body for massage therapies, setting the standards for the profession.
• Professional Associations support the therapist as an individual and promotes GCMT Standards throughout their organisations.
• CNHC protects the public by regulating massage therapists and other complementary therapists.

I want to train as a Massage Practioner. Where do I start looking for training?

• The professional associations accredit schools to GCMT standards.
• Colleges of Further Education
• Other schools.
• Listings in Education

There are large numbers of schools and training providers teaching Massage Therapies. To ensure the training offered meets current standards, it is advisable to compare curricula on offer with the GCMT Standards

What should I look for when choosing a course?

The minimum training should incorporate

For the full Core Curriculum

2009 Low Back Pain. Where can I find information about the NICE report regarding the benefit of massage for low back pain?

"A small scale RCT published subsequent to these reveiws compared massage and relaxarion, concluding that patients recieving massage showed greater improvements in function, psychological variables and sleep than those who had relaxation therapy"

For the full report

I am moving to USA and will need to get a licence to work as a massage practitoner. What evidence might I need to prove I have not had an official complaint or malpractice suit against me whilst working as a massage practitioner in the UK?

• Professional Association membership
• Evidence of your UK insurance
• CRB documents

Of these, professional association membership is the most useful. The professional associations should have the information the Licencing authorities require. Evidence of UK insurance and CRB documents can help support your Licencing application.

To view an example of a US Massage Therapy Licence Application

I have limited time to train to be a massage therapist. Would a distance learning course meet the requirements?

Very often distance learning courses do not cover the recommended number of hours of practical training. Massage is an intensely practical profession and the student needs a minimum of 80 hours of practical, hands on training to ensure they are safe to practice.

Many Colleges of Further Education teach part time courses, in the evenings and occasionally at weekends. Completion of these courses would allow you to join a professional association and be regulated by CNHC.

I want to advertise my massage business, and how effective massage is. What type of wording should I use in my promotional material?

To promote the effectiveness of massage therapy you could say "There is a view that .....", "I believe that..... ", My clients claim/feel that ....." , rather than using making statements of fact that cannot be backed up with evidence.