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Understanding Perimenopause and Menopause in Massage Therapy
Perimenopause and menopause involve hormonal and physiological changes that may influence musculoskeletal health, pain perception, connective tissue, sleep quality, and nervous system regulation. Many RMTs receive limited formal education on how midlife hormonal transitions intersect with massage therapy practice. As a result, practitioners may encounter clinical presentations without a clear framework for understanding contributing factors.
Program Learning Focus
Participants will explore: ✅ Physiological changes during perimenopause and menopause relevant to musculoskeletal and connective tissue health. ✅ Current evidence related to hormones, inflammation, pain perception, and tissue response. ✅ Common symptom presentations observed in midlife populations. ✅ Scope-appropriate treatment planning considerations. ✅ Communication strategies for respectful, patient-centred conversations and when collaborative care or referral may be appropriate.
Who This Program May Benefit
This course may be relevant for RMTs who: ✔️ Work with midlife populations in clinical practice ✔️ Seek evidence-informed education for practice competencies, continuing education, and professional development. ✔️ Want to better understand physiological changes associated with perimenopause and menopause ✔️ Value patient-centred and biopsychosocial care approaches ✔️ Wish to strengthen communication and clinical reasoning skills
What’s Inside the Course?
Course Instructors introductions and land acknowledgements Course orientation and copyright acknowledgment Canadian Version **NEW**Provincial Scope of Practice- Perimenopause & Menopause for RMTs (Regulated or Non-Regulated) for British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario (other Provinces and Territories coming soon) 📌 Module 1: Foundations of Menopause Literacy A foundational review of the physiology and endocrinology relevant to perimenopause and menopause, with a focus on how these hormonal transitions may show up in massage therapy practice. This module includes: ● foundational hormone education ● visual reference materials ● links to current evidence-informed research ● updated language around perimenopause, menopause, and clinical relevance for RMTs NEW / Updated: This module now includes an expanded and updated HRT / MHT 101 section to support clearer understanding of menopause hormone therapy language, current terminology, and scope-appropriate practitioner awareness. 📌 Module 2: Symptom Presentations in Perimenopause and Menopause A overview of commonly reported symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause including physical, cognitive, and emotional experiences. Participants explore: -patterns observed in midlife populations -symptom tracking considerations -how symptom presentation may intersect with massage therapy care **NEW**Practice tool- F&F Symptom Checklist pdf 📌 Module 3: The Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Perimenopause & Menopause This module reviews current peer-reviewed research on musculoskeletal health during perimenopause and menopause, including discussion of published literature such as the work of Dr. Vonda Wright. Content supports practitioner understanding of how hormonal transitions may relate to common musculoskeletal presentations in midlife, including changes in muscle, tendon, joint, cartilage, fascia, bone, inflammation, recovery, and load tolerance. NEW / Updated: This module has been expanded to reflect the growing body of research around the Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Menopause and how these changes may show up in massage therapy practice. 📌 Module 4: Neuroendocrine Changes in Perimenopause and Menopause An evidence-informed review of how the brain, nervous system, and hormonal systems interact during perimenopause and menopause. This module explores why midlife patients may present with changes in sleep, mood, stress tolerance, pain sensitivity, cognition, and nervous system regulation — and how this can inform clinical reasoning within the scope of massage therapy practice. NEW / Updated: This module has been significantly expanded to better reflect the neuroendocrine transition of menopause, including updated teaching around the brain, stress physiology, nervous system sensitivity, and the role of validating, time-rich care.. 📌 Module 5: Patient-Centred Care, REACH, and Clinical Integration This module brings the science back to the treatment room. Participants are guided through scope-appropriate, patient-centred care for midlife patients using the REACH framework: Recognize. Educate. Adapt. Collaborate. Hold Space. Topics include: ● patient education and supportive communication ● recognizing patterns while staying within scope ● adapting treatment approaches for midlife bodies ● building referral networks and collaborative care pathways ● reflective prompts to support professional judgement and ethical care NEW / Updated: This module has been revised so REACH is now clearly woven through the course as the clinical lens for integrating menopause literacy into massage therapy practice. 📌 Module 6: The Conditions of Perimenopause and Menopause for RMTs An integration module exploring how perimenopause and menopause may intersect with commonly encountered local musculoskeletal, systemic & general presentations. **NEW**Cognitive & Mood Conditions of Perimenopause & Menopause for RMTS Content discusses conditions using an evidence-informed lens, supporting clinical reasoning within RMT scope of practice. 📌 Module 7: Professional Reflection and Development This final module has been completely rewritten to support practitioner reflection, integration, and next steps. Participants are guided to: * reflect on their professional growth throughout the course * identify areas for continuing learning and confidence-building * consider how this knowledge may change the way they assess, communicate, treat, and refer * reconnect with the REACH framework as a practical lens for clinical integration * reflect on their role in creating more informed, validating, and collaborative care for midlife patients This module also brings learners back to the bigger picture: becoming part of a growing community of menopause-literate practitioners helping change the way midlife patients are seen, heard, and supported in healthcare. NEW: Module 7 has been fully rewritten for this updated version of the course, with new reflection prompts, integration guidance, and the F&F Perimenopause & Menopause Intake Form for RMTs — a practical PDF tool designed to support more informed, thorough, and relevant intake conversations with midlife patients.
Professional Learning Community
Participants in this program have access to an optional professional learning community designed to support educational discussion related to course material. This space allows RMTs and other regulated professionals to engage in respectful, scope appropriate dialogue related to menopause literacy and midlife health. Purpose of the Community The learning community supports: -professional discussion of course concepts -exchange of general practice insights -peer reflection on educational topics -exposure to interdisciplinary perspectives Professional Use Expectations To maintain a safe and professional environment, participants are expected to: -maintain patient confidentiality -avoid sharing identifying patient information -remain within scope of practice -engage in respectful, professional communication
Professional Learning and Resource Access
Enrollment Includes -extended access to course materials and updates -downloadable educational resources -certificate of completion issued after requirements are met
Course Instructors Tara Findlay, RMT & Kim Fairall, RMT
This program was developed and is taught by Registered Massage Therapists with extensive clinical experience and additional training in perimenopause and menopause education and midlife health. Their combined professional backgrounds include massage therapy practice, continuing education development, and work in patient-centred care for midlife populations. Both instructors have pursued additional training in perimenopause and menopause literacy and maintain an ongoing commitment to evidence-informed practice and educational development. The curriculum is designed to support evidence-informed education within massage therapy scope of practice.
What Our Students Are Saying:
“Taking this course will influence 50% of your patients and how you view them in their wellness. It completely shifted how I assess and treat my midlife clients—and how I care for myself." “All you never knew you needed to know about hormone health. An amazing overview of what your clients may be experiencing, and how to actually guide them." “This course is very informative—even if you haven’t gone through menopause yourself. You’ll gain insight, empathy, and confidence to better support your clients." “I now understand that hormonal changes might be behind symptoms we’ve been treating for years. This gave me a whole new lens for SI joint issues, frozen shoulder, and tendinopathy."
🔄 Continuing Education and Future Access
This program is designed to support ongoing professional development and may be used toward continuing education requirements, subject to individual regulatory body approval. Participants receive extended access to course materials, including updates that reflect evolving evidence and educational standards. Content revisions are made periodically to maintain alignment with current research and best practices. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT USE Participants may use course completion towards their professional development planning and CE documenting where applicable. Learners are responsible for confirming acceptance of CE credits with their regulatory or professional association.
Professional Recognition & Continuing Education
This course is designed to meet professional continuing education standards and is submitted for recognition by massage therapy associations on a province-by-province basis. Current Recognition • CMMOTA (Canadian Massage & Manual Osteopathic Therapists Association) Recognition applications are in progress with additional massage therapy associations. Because each association has its own review process and timelines, participants should not enroll under the assumption that recognition will be granted by any specific organization. As new recognitions are confirmed, this page will be updated and enrolled participants will be notified. Looking Ahead As recognition expands beyond our current list, recognized associations will be clearly listed so practitioners can make informed enrollment decisions. Enrollment does not guarantee recognition by any association beyond those listed above. Participants are responsible for confirming CE acceptance with their regulatory or professional body.
This program builds on foundational massage therapy knowledge and provides evidence-informed frameworks relevant to perimenopause and menopause care within scope of practice.
This course may support CEUs documentation and PDP submissions where applicable. Learners are responsible for confirming acceptance with thier regulatory or professional body.