4. Consider applicable laws and regulations, and determine how they may have bearing on an ethical dilemma. 5. Seek consultation from more than one source to gain multiple perspectives on the dilemma. 6. Brainstorm various courses of action. 7. Enumerate consequences of various decisions. Treating minors According to the AMTA, a number of studies have been done concerning the effectiveness of massage therapy for younger populations including infants (Armstrong, 2016). These studies have demonstrated that massage and body work for minors is appropriate and effective. For scientific and medical research citations on the efficacy of infant massage, please see AMTA’s Massage Information Center on their website listed on the reference page. When working with minors, a signed consent form from the parent or guardian, along with permission to provide massage therapy is required. This consent should include a detailed description of the proposed treatment plan and objectives for
8. Implement the course of action. After implementation the practitioner should access the outcome of the action taken to determine if it has successfully resolved the issue. If not the model may be revisited and other options may be implemented and accessed. treatment. An example of a thorough intake form is included on the professional development section of AMTA’s Web site at www.amtamassage.org. Additional information and sample consent form is provided by the ABMP as follows: Minor consent forms Minors are permitted to receive massage in the clinic and parent or legal guardian must be present in helping complete the Health History Form for the minor, along with consent for the massage therapy session. Guidelines are as follows:
Minor Consent Form ● Minors, all clients under the age of 18, unless otherwise emancipated, can only receive massage with written parental/legal guardian consent. ● In collaboration with the consenting adult and child, the massage therapist will assist in establishing goals for the session(s). ● For clients age 15 and under, the parent/guardian must always be present in the treatment room. ● For clients age 16-17 if both client and parent/guardian are comfortable with the child being in the session room by themselves, please initial here. ● Otherwise parent/guardian should be in the treatment room during each session. Once a comfortable therapeutic relationship has been established and the massage therapist, child and parent are comfortable the parent/legal guardian does not have to be present in the room. ● Appropriate draping will be used at all times during the massage, only areas being massaged are uncovered (ABMP, 2016b). I, ______________________________________________, am the parent/legal guardian of _______________________________________. I have read the above information and give permission for my child, age ________ to receive massage therapy from ______________________________________________________________. _______________________________________________________ __________________ Signature Date It is important to check state and appropriate agency guidelines related to working with minor clients. Supporting clients of all genders
According to Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) a recent Pew poll showed nearly 90 percent of Americans said they personally know someone who is lesbian, gay, or bisexual and 16 percent said they personally know a transgender individual (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, 2016; Armstrong, 2016). Many people, including massage therapists, are getting information about gender identity and sexual orientation from the media including blogs, Facebook and other social media posts, the Internet, television shows, movies, and magazine articles. It is important to ensure that massage and bodywork practitioners have accurate information to provide the best possible experience for current and potential clients regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. To do this, the practitioner must be committed to provide all clients with the same standard of ethical care. Even small adjustments to the way we interact with clients can mean the difference between an uncomfortable or even devastating experience and massage customer who returns regularly (Haines, 2016). Clients may be gay, lesbian, transgender, nonbinary, agender, bisexual, asexual or questioning often referred to as LGBTQ. These terms may be confusing and constantly changing as society becomes more aware of varying orientations. Though simplified for this course, these terms relate to the fact that the individual’s biological sex and physical characteristics may not reflect their gender or how they identify with a sense, or internal feelings, of being male or female. Some people may identify as male, female, a combination of both or choose or chose not to select either one.
The nature of the profession of massage and bodywork requires the practitioner to be particularly sensitive to these clients for a number of reasons: ● People are at their most vulnerable. Undressed, alone, often in pain. Practitioners cannot work effectively if they do not address this vulnerability with both compassion and competence, regardless of gender orientation. ● These clients are often hurt by people with unaddressed assumptions about gender just as often as conscious hostility. This means it is not enough just to be kind; practitioners must also be informed in order to avoid doing harm. ● Many clients are reluctant to seek massage and bodywork therapy. Practitioners have much to offer but only a fraction of the population is experiencing care. Removing barriers between individuals and includes regular massage and bodywork should be a priority for the profession (Haines, 2016). Glossary of terms ● Asexual : An adjective used to describe people who do not experience sexual attraction (e.g., asexual person). A person can also be aromantic, meaning they do not experience romantic attraction. ● Bisexual , Bi : A person who has the capacity to form enduring physical, romantic, or emotional attractions to those of the same gender or to those of another gender. People may experience this attraction in differing ways and degrees over their lifetime. Bisexual people need not have had specific sexual experiences to be bisexual; in fact, they need not have had any sexual experience at all to identify as bisexual. Do
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