Request for Insurance Coverage of Shiatsu Therapy

PERFORMED BY A CST® (Certified Shiatsu Therapist™)

Dear Insurer:

I am currently receiving, and/or would like to begin receiving Shiatsu Therapy treatments for my condition of ________________________________.

My Certified Shiatsu Therapist (CST®) is ________________________________, CST # _________________________.

It is my understanding that many insurance companies recognize the therapeutic benefits of Shiatsu Therapy in terms of rehabilitative and preventative health care, but are only providing coverage when performed by an RMT (Registered Massage Therapist). It is important to note that RMT’s have completed training in techniques of Swedish Massage Therapy and have NO formal training in Shiatsu Therapy as part of their educational requirements. By comparison, Certified Shiatsu Therapists (CST’s) have undertaken extensive training in Shiatsu Therapy techniques and theory as well as Western sciences.

CST designates practicing members of the Shiatsu Therapy Association of Ontario (S.T.A.O.). It guarantees the public, health care professionals and insurance companies that the Shiatsu Therapist has completed a minimum of 2200 hours of shiatsu training, or the S.T.A.O. equivalent, at a government accredited training institution. This is the most extensive training available in Canada.

The CST designation further guarantees that the Shiatsu Therapist has successfully completed comprehensive written and practical entrance examinations required by the S.T.A.O., has agreed in writing to practice in accordance with the Association’s Code of Ethics and carries professional liability insurance.

Shiatsu is a natural therapy with no harmful or secondary side effects. For rehabilitation and accident recovery, Shiatsu Therapy reduces costs to the insurer by shortening recovery time, reducing use and costs of expensive medications and preventing secondary conditions caused by long-term pharmaceutical use.

A CST encourages and recommends remedial home care exercises that are specific to my particular condition. As part of a preventative health care plan, a CST also encourages and supports a health enhancing lifestyle, which in the long term is beneficial and cost effective to insurers and the Canadian health care system.