FAQ

You can, but are under no obligation to do so. The decision is entirely up to you. However, under Article 36 of our code of ethics, FQM massage therapists may not require a tip from a client.

Of course. Your fees will be reimbursed by your insurer on the condition that your policy or insurance plan covers massage therapy care. In fact, you can be all but certain that you will be covered, since the vast majority of insurance companies recognize the competencies of FQM members and thus reimburse massage therapy fees incurred by their clients.

The answer, in both instances, is no. For this reason, the FQM has long argued in favour of the creation of a professional order of massage therapists. In fact, as long as massage therapy is not regulated and overseen by a professional order in Quebec, massage therapy fees will not be eligible for a tax credit for medical expenses, nor will they be reimbursed by the CSST.

If you feel that your massage therapist has shown a lack of professionalism or respect toward you during a session, please contact us first so that we can verify whether the professional concerned is a member of the FQM. If such is the case, carefully read our code of ethics in order to identify the regulation that your massage therapist has breached. Once the fault is identified, download our investigation request form  and return the duly completed form to us by email (administration@fqm.qc.ca) or fax (514-597-0141). When in doubt or if you require assistance, please contact us at 514-597-0505 or toll free at 1 800 363-9609.

During your initial appointment, your massage therapist will first conduct a health assessment by jointly filling out a questionnaire with you. The therapist will thus be able to determine if his or her competencies are adapted to your needs, and if not he or she will refer you to another health professional. Depending on the technique used, the massage will be performed on a table, a futon or a chair. In the case of an oil-based table massage, the massage therapist will ask you to remove your clothes; you may keep your underwear on, and your body will be covered with a sheet, with the exception of the area being massaged.

In Quebec, massage therapy is still not governed under the Professional Code, meaning that its practice is not regulated and, consequently, anyone can call themselves a massage therapist. Among all the Quebec-based massage therapy associations, the FQM is the only one that has advocated in favour of establishing a professional order for purposes of protecting the public by rigorously overseeing the training and practice of massage therapy. In the absence of a such a regulatory framework, the FQM created the designation certified massage therapist^TM, exclusive to its 5,700 or so members, in order to guarantee their competencies, the excellence of their training, and the quality of care they deliver in the utmost respect for their clients and our code of ethics. And that’s not all: the FQM is the only Quebec-based massage therapists’ association to have obtained the ISO 9001 certification: 2015 from the Bureau de normalisation du Québec. It is also the only association that has established an accreditation procedure for massage therapy schools. In short, when you choose a certified FQM massage therapist, you can be sure you’re in excellent hands.

Massage therapy practiced by competent and well trained therapists generally poses no risk to a person in good health. However, there may be precautions to take or contra-indications in the presence of certain diseases or health conditions. Where the recipient has osteoporosis, a circulatory disorder or a heart disorder, for example, he or she is advised to consult a physician before seeing a massage therapist.

The cost of a session and the massage therapist’s rates vary based on several criteria, including the objective and duration of the massage, the type and frequency of the intervention, the technique used, the massage therapist’s competency profile, and the nature of the practice environment (i.e., spa, private office, clinic or other).

It all depends on your health status and your objective. Massage therapy may represent a preventive, corrective or therapeutic solution to a variety of problems. Is your goal to reinforce your immune system? Are you pregnant? Do you suffer from chronic pain, anxiety or back pain? In order to identify the massage technique best suited to your needs, go to our Web pages on basic techniques, or speak to a certified massage therapist.

The FQM’s 5,700 massage therapists are spread out across every region of Quebec. Use the FQM’s Find a massage therapist search engine to obtain contact information on the massage therapists nearest you, together with details on the techniques they practice.

If you don’t find the answers you’re looking for, please contact us at 514-597-0505 or 1 800-363-9609.