One of our supporters had a meeting with a Government Minister who requested a SHORT bullet point summary. What we plan to present is shown below.  If, you have anything to add, please email arthurgalletly6@gmail.com.  Also, a companion petition will also be launched simply requesting that the GST threshold be raised for everyone.  Everything else is indexed, why not the GST threshold? The GST threshold hasn't changed since 2007.

"Removal of GST for Remedial Massage Therapist

REMEDIAL MASSAGE
The Remedial Massage qualification is the Diploma of Remedial Massage. According to Myskills.gov.au the average duration is a year by private RTO providers, but many TAFEs the duration is 18 months. There are more advanced courses in Myotherapy and Structural Bodywork available.

There is a requirement of Continuing Professional Education each year. Many Remedial Massage Therapists these days offer dry needling or cupping, for example which helps relieve muscle tightness and pain.
Just as a carpenter has many tools in their toolbox, not just a hammer, so Remedial Massage uses a wide variety of techniques to employ for different situations. A small sample of these techniques includes:

• Myofascial Release
• PNF stretching
• Trigger Point therapy
• Deep Tissue Therapy
• Muscle Energy Technique
• Cross Fibre Friction
• Manual Lymphatic Drainage

OVERVIEW OF THE USES of REMEDIAL MASSAGE
Remedial Massage is used to relieve a wide variety of soft tissue issues such as:
Lower Back Pain
Postural issues such as Upper Crossed and Lower Crossed Syndromes (the result of sitting at desks for too long)
Scoliosis – can help lesson symptoms
Shoulder complaints such as frozen shoulder, rotator cuff tendinosis and bursitis
Lateral and medial epicondylitis (tennis/golfers elbow)
Plantar fasciitis
Muscle strains and injury

PREVENTATIVE THERAPY
Remedial Massage is also used in a preventative capacity to help reduce the risk of falls by educating and helping to maintain muscle tone, Range of Movement and strength. Not only do Remedial Massages Therapists massage, but also assess and reassess and provide exercises in the form of education with stretches and strength training.

Remedial Massage can therefore help take the burden off the Healthcare system by:
contributing to reducing the costs of possible surgery and rehabilitation after falls by Seniors or the disabled
Evidence based research shows massage reduces blood pressure,

INJURIES
Rehabilitation Massage is now being recognised as an integral modality in speeding up the recovery after injury. It can help reduce the continued need for pain medication and allow people to be active in the rehabilitation process in conjunction with other modalities such as physiotherapy.

POSTURAL ISSUES
Remedial Massage is in the forefront of treating Upper and Lower Crossed Syndromes. These syndromes affect a large portion of the population working in offices. It is also an effective addition to treating Carpel Tunnel Syndrome. Early intervention can educate and help to reduce costs for businesses from time lost through sick leave

MENTAL HEALTH
Evidence Based Research also shows Remedial Massage can also decrease symptoms of Anxiety, Depression and contribute to helping with the Grief process by decreasing levels of cortisol and nor adrenalin.

REMOVAL OF GST
Remedial Massage is the only class of Natural Therapies to remain eligible for health fund rebates by Health Insurers. Furthermore Remedial Massage is available with no gap fee up to an annual limit to ADF Family Health Card holders, the spouses and families of serving ADF personnel.

We would like to therefore have the same considerations as allied health providers such as Physiotherapists, Chiropractors and Podiatrists. By levelling this playing field, we would see the further development of the significant growth in this industry that could be very financially rewarding to the government and business affording them the ability to increase budgets in other much needed portfolios.