Bermuda Massage Therapy Association president Glenn Robinson, who has been a practising massage therapist for many years, said that the move by BF&M to cover massage therapy treatments means so much to his patients.

"I can't prove that my knocking on a door regularly has made the change, because other people have also helped me in this," Mr. Robinson said. "But I did finally get encouraged to go and speak with John White (of BF&M) and I was encouraged through frustration, so I set up the meeting and went and talked to him for 15 to 20 minutes and a month or six weeks later I got a call saying, 'Glenn we are really trying to do something with this and we'll keep you updated.'

"I said if there was anyway that I could be of assistance through this process, please feel free to give me a call.

"But the next thing I knew, BF&M called back and said, 'we are definitely going to do this and it is effective now.'

"I actually said to the lady, 'can I sit down now? I think I need to sit down. Can you repeat that?'

"She said, 'we are definitely going to cover it'. It means so much to so many people that just could not afford my price or probably anyone else's price."

Mr. Robinson said that he has been pursuing the insurance companies for 16 years.

"In this time, I have seen people cancel an appointment because they can't pay," he said.

"And that hurts because I know they are not better, I know they are going to see someone else or they are going to wait until they can accumulate funds enough to see me and at that time, it is four or five weeks later.

"For me, in my business, I have to be able to make a living, but at the same time I want to deliver a system of healthcare that works and that is affordable and the only way that I can do that is if insurance covers it."

For more information on Mr. Robinson, call MindBody Wellness ASHLAN Sports Clinic on 441-292-6830 or mindbodywellness@northrock.bm.