About Massage Therapy

• What is massage therapy
• Massage therapy - the evidence for practice
• Benefits of choosing an MNZ therapist
• Find a Massage Therapist
• Visiting a Massage Therapist for the first time
• Scope of practice
• FAQs

Scope of practice

Scope of Practice refers to the extent and limits in the types of techniques, treatment approaches and conditions that determine the boundaries that a health professional is required to follow in order to practice within the terms of their professional registration and code of ethics.

MNZ has four levels of registered Massage Therapist membership and they have their own scopes of practice. This means that therapists must work within the scope that they are qualified to do so. If an MNZ therapist works outside of their scope, this is considered a breach of scope of practice.

You can check the scope of your Massage Therapist by asking to see their Annual Practicing Certificate which must be displayed where they practice.  A current annual practising certificate indicates that your therapist has met the membership and educational requirements of MNZ and is deemed by MNZ to be a Registered Massage Therapist at the appropriate designated level.

Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) Level 6 and 7 Scope of Practice

(Previously referred to as Remedial Massage Therapist)

A MNZ Registered Massage Therapist (Level 6 and 7) will be able to demonstrate competency in the following areas:

• Client health information gathering and physical assessment of the client’s condition;
• Clinical reasoning to justify the treatment plan; massage therapy and other relevant treatment techniques in a safe and effective manner; 
• Treatment evaluation;
• Information regarding client self-management;
• Professional presentation and behaviour according to the MNZ Code of Ethics;
• Referral of a client to an appropriate health professional when necessary.

Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) Level 5 Scope of Practice

The Massage New Zealand (MNZ) Executive and Education Working Group have determined the scope of practice for Level 5 Registered Massage Therapists (RMT) in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Level 5 Massage therapists have professional skills and knowledge in the reduction of fatigue, stress and tension to enhance wellness.

• Massage at Level 5 is a person-centred form of manual therapy facilitating wellness and relaxation throughout the life stages with  culturally responsive, safe and supportive interventions informed by massage principles, current best-practice and evidence-based approaches. 
• Massage therapists are required to comply with the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act, and recognise that the health and disability system is committed to fulfilling the special relationship between Māori and the Crown under Te Tiriti o Waitangi* - https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/populations/maori-health/te-tiriti-o-waitangi

*Te Tiriti o Waitangi is necessary if we are to realise the overall aims of He Korowai Oranga: Māori Health Strategy and achieve outcomes for the health and disability system as a whole. This includes a desire to see all New Zealanders living longer, healthier and more independent lives. The Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations underpin Whakamaua: Māori Health Action Plan 2020–2025 which sets the government’s direction for Māori health advancement over the next five years 

Within their Scope of Practice, Level 5 RMTs will:

Hold a relevant massage qualification awarded by an accredited institution.

• Provide person-centred, culturally responsive, and safe wellness and relaxation massage.
• Massage therapists to be culturally responsive in Aotearoa will need to be able to apply Te Tiriti o Waitangi in their clinical practice
• Provide wellness and relaxation massage that is informed by the application of basic medical sciences, and methods* to manage client-specific needs.
• Act in accordance with new concepts for understanding social determinants of wellbeing and health.
• Empower clients through self-care strategies and lifestyle choices to improve wellbeing and relaxation outcomes.
• Refer clients to appropriate health professionals when wellness and relaxation massage is not suitable for the individual
• Be registered as a member with Massage New Zealand, and act in accordance with MNZ Code of Ethics and MNZ Standards of Practice.

Level 5 Registered Massage Therapists (RMT) are NOT ABLE TO: