RMT Benefits for BC Nurses
On May 13, 2026, BC Nurses Union held a strike vote with a 98.2% turnout rate, sending a strong message to the Province of BC that nurses deserved better. This action was taken after the Province of BC proposed removing massage therapy benefits (among many other items) during their bargaining process. A few weeks later, the BCNU reached a tentative agreement with the Province of BC, thus eliminating the need to take job action.
However, in light of this, I felt it was time for me, as an RMT, to express my opinions and advocate for RMTs in our province and for the unique relationship many of us have with BC Nurses.
Across the last 11 years, I have been an RMT. There have been varying opinions about what Massage Therapy exactly is. Some call it a luxury, others a necessity.
In my opinion, it’s healthcare. Full stop. I have had the privilege of working with our amazing nurses and hospital staff, and I have received countless firsthand accounts of just how important we as RMTs are to this demographic.
Nurses, as many know, perform physically demanding work each and every shift. Many spend a majority of their time on their feet along concrete floors, which includes repetitive movements, sometimes under high-stress situations that can cause many health problems acutely and chronically if left unaddressed.
So, how do we, as RMTs, bridge the care gap for our nurses?
Firstly, we, as RMTs, promote the idea that regular care prevents injuries before they become disabling. How many repetitive neck, back, and shoulder strains, if left untreated, would result in nurses claiming under WCB, taking time off work, and ultimately reducing care for patients in the hospital? Our job is to care for nurses so they can continue working safely and sustainably. We as RMT’s take great pride in that.
Secondly, I would argue that the strongest argument in the workforce is retention. Many of my nurse clients reported that if the benefits of massage therapy were removed, they would consider another career. Sometimes, a 1-hour massage once every few weeks is the only thing they get to look forward to in a crazy, busy schedule. Our roles help keep nurses at their jobs, performing at their best and serving those in the hospital who need it most.
Thirdly, our job as RMTs is to support nurses not only in their physical health but also in their mental health. We listen to their concerns, and we see how some hold tension in their bodies because of what they have experienced at work.
Apart from the obvious muscular complaints we hear, Massage Therapy has been reported by many nurses to help with:
- Reducing stress hormone levels
- improving sleep quality
- reducing anxiety and muscular guarding
- improving mood
Nurses cannot pour from an empty cup. They constantly care for others all day, so who cares for them? Our unique profession is one of time and intimate care.
RMTs usually spend 1 full hour with our clients, whereas other healthcare professionals may only get 15-30 minutes per appointment. This extra time helps build trust, rapport, and a deep understanding of what our clients are dealing with in their own bodies. It’s this deep relationship and care that nurses have come to appreciate and choose as their recommended treatment option for their own health in their long careers.
Lastly, Massage Therapy is a regulated health profession in BC. We are not spa providers. We assess and treat musculoskeletal conditions that affect pain, mobility, stress-related conditions and injuries as they arise in the workplace. Being a licensed RMT separates us distinctly from therapeutic healthcare and those who have reported that we are only offering “luxury wellness”.
At the end of the day, these two points are of importance:
Nurses themselves say that massage benefits matter deeply to them (regardless of how negotiations between our province and BCNU proceed in the future).
And secondly, nurses have heavy physical demands on their bodies. That is undeniable.
As RMTs, we see firsthand the toll a nurse’s job has on their body, and we are proud to care for these amazing people with our unique skills.
If you are a nurse and would like to work with one of our amazing RMT’s, please consider booking an appointment online at:
In health,
Dylan Wiebe
Registered Massage Therapist