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Welcome to Massages-Montreal.com, the world class directory of massotherapists, day spas, resort spas, retreats, and vacation spas in Montreal, Canada.

Massage therapists in Montreal have long been plagued by the fact that there is little to no regulation of their trade. The government offers permits to massage parlors, however, in many cases these massage parlors and the permits they obtain are simply a front for a prostitution business. The illicit sex trade is an ongoing problem in Montreal, and the new mayor declared when he took office that it would be a high priority for his administration to crack down on these types of establishments. The Supreme Court in Montreal thereafter struck down all of the laws that made prostitution, owning a brothel, and other prostitution related activities illegal, in order to protect the sex workers who work in such establishments. Going forward, this is likely to make it even more difficult for massage therapists who are health care professionals to distinguish themselves from sex workers.

It should not be inferred that these problems with prostitution masquerading as legitimate massage businesses are restricted to the Canada. According to Wikipedia, the same problems exist in the US, the UK, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Phillipines, etc.

Legitimate massage therapy has received some press in recent years in the United States and other countries as being a viable alternative health care modality. Studies have shown a myriad of benefits from massage therapy, ranging from lowering blood pressure, lowering blood sugar levels in diabetics, reducing scar tissue and stretch marks, to helping children with anxiety, ADHD, and learning disabilities. As a consequence, massage therapists are being recognized across Canada, the United States, Germany, and other countries, as essential to the health of the population. One recent study has also found that all of the benefits of massage therapy are cumulative, and so the benefits to human health of massage increase the more sessions a person receives.

In Canada, there are many organizations that promote legitimate massage therapists. Several such organizations offer licensing or certification for massage therapists. Having such a license or certificate increases the likelihood that a massage therapist is providing true alternative health care, and is not acting as a front for an illegitimate business. One such organization is the Registered Massage Therapists Association of Ontario, which offers an examination and license to massage therapists who have met education requirements and passed their exam. Another such regulatory body in Quebec is The Alliance Québécoise des Thérapeutes Naturels. This company regulates massage therapists, naturotherapists, and naturopaths. There is no examination required to be licensed by this association, but schooling requirements, as well as criminal background checks, are required.

In the United States, there are similar organizations, as well as similar problems with prostitution, especially in certain cities. New York City, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, for example, are well known to harbor many massage parlors that are actually fronts for prostitution. However, there are some regulating bodies in the US that have a similar purpose to those in Canada. The NCBTMB and the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards also offer certification examinations, as well as a strict code of ethics that all massage therapists must adhere to in their practice. Since many states in the US still do not have licensing requirements for massage therapists, these certification examinations are a way to declare that a therapist is a legitimate health care professional. As time goes on, more and more states are passing license requirements and establishing regulatory boards. Additionally, more and more physicians are recommending massage therapy to their clients, especially when their patients complain of back pain, are experiencing swelling and edema, have high blood pressure, or are pregnant.

Massages-Montreal.com is a directory listing legitimate massage practices in Montreal. All of the companies listed here have been screened, and the therapists are generally licensed by one of the organizations listed above. Mobile massage therapists, which have become popular in recent years in the United States as people have more and more hectic lives with less down time, also exist in Montreal, and will travel to clients’ locations. Every therapist listed in this section must hold a license or certification from a regulatory body. Day spas and retreat spas, as well as the practices of individual therapists, are listed in this directory as well.

In the United States, there are special certifications for massage therapists who offer prenatal massage. These same certifications can also be used in Canada, and there are also schools in Canada and online that offer such a certification. If therapists in this directory offer such services, it will be noted in their listing. Therapists specializing in prenatal massage will be also be listed in the Prenatal Massage category.

Please use the categories at the left to navigate to your preferred type of therapist. Our hope is that this directory will be useful to individuals seeking legitimate massage therapy services in Montreal.