According to the NIH, Massage therapy appears to have few risks when performed by a trained massage therapist, though some precautions must be considered when practicing on clients with certain health conditions: ● In some cases, pregnant women should avoid massage therapy. Clients must consult with their health care provider before getting a massage if pregnant. Always consult the licensing agency or state regulations for additional guidance when working with pregnant clients. It might be prudent for the massage/bodywork professional to institute a standard release form to be signed and maintained in the client’s record in these cases. ● People with some conditions such as bleeding disorders or low blood platelet counts should avoid having forceful and deep tissue massage. People who take anticoagulants, known as blood thinners , also should avoid these modalities. ● Massage should not be done in any potentially weak area of the skin, such as wounds. Again, the massage professional should understand any regulations that govern their practice with these clients. ● Deep or intense pressure should not be used over an area where the patient has a tumor or cancer, unless approved by the patient’s health care provider. Always document all medical conditions and discuss the safety and effectiveness of massage and bodywork with colleagues or supervisors. ● The procedures for informed consent must include any medical diagnosis, massage and bodywork modalities to be used, and documentation must reflect any discussions and explanations conducted with clients. The informed consent section of this course will outline the important, specific, and ongoing components of informed consent that must be included in client records (NCCIH, 2016). Beyond the NIH advisory, there are other health conditions to consider before proceeding with massage and bodywork .The practitioner must communicate concerns with the client and (NCBTMB, 2016). It includes more education, hands-on experience, and a background check that conveys a higher level of mastery for the practitioner beyond state minimum requirements. The NCBTMB offers specialty certifications that align with the National Institute of Health 2016 Strategic Plan that addresses Statistics The following is a compilation of data gathered by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) from U.S. government statistics, surveys of consumers, massage therapists and recent clinical studies on the efficacy of massage. The following statistics, released in 2016, outline the current state of the massage profession, public and medical acceptance of the value of massage and increasing consumer usage of massage therapy in the U.S. (American Massage Therapy Association, 2016). It is important to understand these statistics to keep pace with the changes in the profession that require the practitioner to increase their knowledge of ethical practice and their role in integrative healthcare. The primary reason people received massage was for health and wellness reasons as follows: Massage in health care More Americans are discussing massage with their doctors or health care providers: ● In July 2015, more than fifty-one million American adults, 16 percent of the population, had discussed massage therapy with their doctors or health care providers in the previous year. ● Of those who discussed massage with their doctor or health care provider, 69 percent of their doctors or health
obtain approval from other health professionals prior to initiating massage or body work if the client has experienced the following conditions: ● Bone damage, such as severe osteoporosis, may mean that massage is not indicated for the client. ● Conditions such as deep vein thrombosis, or blood clots may put clients at risk. Blood clots may become dislodged and travel to the heart or brain, causing heart attack or stroke. ● An injury, especially one that affects the blood or bones, could be negatively impacted by massage and bodywork. ● There is a risk of allergic reaction to body preparation products, including oils or aromatherapy materials. Any skin sensitivity, allergies or other conditions must be identified and discussed to identify any possibility of allergic reactions or sensitivities to products. ● Though some soreness following deep tissue massage is common, pain during or after massage should not occur. Muscle weakness or pain after the massage should be reported by the client to their health provider (NCCIH, 2016). As the massage and bodywork professions continue to expand into integrated healthcare, they have gained legitimacy for the therapeutic benefits they may provide to clients in areas of mental and physical health. Ethical practice goes beyond adherence to laws, standards, and guidelines and includes honesty with clients and colleagues, professional goals, continued education, and the obligation to always act in the client’s best interest. All state licensing authorities, certifying or accrediting agencies, and professional associations establish their own standards of conduct and ethical guidelines for their members. Massage and bodywork therapists need to refer directly to the organizations and academic or training institutions with which they are affiliated, as well as with state, local, and national associations to review ethical guidelines that apply specifically to their practice. priorities for populations that may benefit from an integrated approach to health care. The objectives of the specialty certification programs are to: 1. Further elevate the standards of massage therapy. 2. Further include massage therapy’s role in integrative healthcare. 3. Provide therapists with access to high-quality, advanced programs for specific modalities and populations. 4. Ensure patients receive the best possible care. ● Fifty-two percent of adult Americans who had a massage between July 2014 and July 2015 received it for medical or health reasons, such as pain management, soreness/stiffness/ spasms, injury rehabilitation, or overall wellness. ● Ninety-one percent agree that massage can be effective in reducing pain. ● Thirty-three percent of massage consumers had a massage for relaxation/stress reduction between July 2014 and July 2015. ● The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an increase of 23 percent in Massage Therapist jobs between 2012 and 2022, with 30,000 jobs created during that time period (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015). care providers referred them to a therapist, strongly recommended massage therapy, or encouraged them to get a massage. ● While physicians in 2015 led the way in recommending massage, 54 percent vs. 59 percent in 2014, chiropractors, 46 percent vs. 49 percent in 2014, and physical therapists, 37 percent vs. 43 percent in 2014, also recommended massage therapy when their clients discussed it with them.
National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) National Board Certification is voluntary and offered through NCBTMB to provide a credential beyond state licensure or certification for the massage therapy and bodywork profession
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Book Code: MLA1224
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