● Demonstrate professional excellence through regular self- assessment of strengths, limitations, and effectiveness by continued education and training. ● Acknowledge the confidential nature of the professional relationship with clients and respect each client’s right to privacy within the constraints of the law. ● Project a professional image and uphold the highest standards of professionalism. ● Accept responsibility to do no harm to the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of self, clients, and associates (AMTA, 2015). The AMTA provides the following ethical rules to ensure that massage therapists/practitioners shall: The ABMP Code of Ethics The AMTA and ABMP organizations share similar fundamental principles, but it is important to review both to expand the professional knowledge of ethics. Members of the ABMP pledge commitment to the highest principles of the massage and ○ Serve the best interests of my clients at all times and provide the highest quality of bodywork and service possible. ○ Recognize that the obligation for building and maintaining an effective, healthy, and safe therapeutic relationship with my clients is my responsibility. 2. Commitment to Do No Harm. ○ Conduct a thorough health history intake process for each client and evaluate the health history to rule out contraindications or determine appropriate session adaptations. If signs or suspicions of an undiagnosed condition are detected that might make massage inappropriate, refer that client to a physician or other qualified health-care professional, and delay the massage session until approval from the physician has been granted. ○ Understand the importance of ethical touch, and therapeutic intent and conduct sessions with the sole objective of benefitting the client. 3. Commitment to Honest Representation of Qualifications. ○ Never work outside the commonly accepted scope of practice for massage therapists and bodywork professionals. bodywork profession as outlined below: 1. Commitment to High-Quality Care. ○ Adhere to the state’s scope of practice guidelines and only provide treatments and techniques for based on training and credentials. ○ Evaluate the needs of each client and refer the client to another provider if the client requires work beyond the therapist’s capabilities, or beyond the capacity of massage and bodywork. ○ Do not use the trademarks and symbols associated with a particular system or group without authentic affiliation. ○ Acknowledge the limitations of massage and bodywork by refraining from exaggerating the benefits of massage therapy and related services in marketing materials. 4. Commitment to Uphold the Inherent Worth of All Individuals. ○ Demonstrate compassion, respect, and tolerance for others. ○ Seek to decrease discrimination, misunderstandings, and prejudice. ○ Understand there are situations when it is appropriate to decline service to a client due to the best interests of a client’s health, or for personal safety, but do not refuse service to any client based on: disability; ethnicity; gender; marital status; physical build; sexual orientation; religious, national, or political affiliation; or social or economic status.
● Conduct all business and professional activities within their scope of practice and all applicable legal and regulatory requirements. ● Refrain from engaging in any sexual conduct or sexual activities involving their clients in the course of a massage therapy session. ● Be truthful in advertising and marketing, and refrain from misrepresenting his or her services, charges for services, credentials, training, experience, ability or results. ● Refrain from using AMTA membership, including the AMTA name, logo or other intellectual property, or the member’s position, in any way that is unauthorized, improper or misleading. ● Refrain from engaging in any activity that would violate confidentiality commitments and/or proprietary rights of AMTA or any other person or organization (AMTA, 2015). 5. Commitment to Respect Client Dignity and Basic Rights. ○ Demonstrate respect for the dignity and rights of all individuals by providing a clean, comfortable, and safe environment for sessions, using appropriate and skilled draping procedures. Give clients recourse in the event of dissatisfaction with treatment, and uphold the integrity of the therapeutic relationship. 6. Commitment to Informed Consent. ○ Recognize a client’s right to determine what happens to his or her body. ○ Understand that a client may suffer emotional and physical harm if a therapist fails to listen to the client and imposes his or her own beliefs in a situation. ○ Inform clients of choices relating to their care, and disclose policies and limitations that may affect their care. ○ Do not provide massage without obtaining a client’s informed consent, or that of the guardian or advocate for the client, for a session plan. 7. Commitment to Confidentiality. ○ Keep client communication and information confidential and do not share client information without the client’s written consent, within the limits of the law. ○ Ensure every effort is made to respect a client’s right to privacy, and provide an environment where personal health-related details cannot be overheard or seen by others. 8. Commitment to Personal and Professional Boundaries. ○ Refrain from and prevent behaviors that may be considered sexual in massage practice, and uphold the highest professional standards in order to desexualize massage. ○ Do not “date” a client, engage in sexual intercourse with a client, or allow any level of sexual impropriety, i.e., behavior or language, from yourself or from clients. ○ Understand that sexual impropriety may lead to sexual harassment charges, the loss of credentials, lawsuits for personal damages, criminal charges, fines, attorney fees, court costs, and jail time. 9. Commitment to Honesty in Business. ○ Know and follow good business practices in regards to record keeping, regulation compliance, and tax law. ○ Set fair fees and practice honesty in marketing materials. ○ Do not accept gifts, compensation, or other benefits intended to influence a decision related to a client. ○ Use the ABMP logo appropriately to establish credibility and market a practice. 10.Commitment to Professionalism. ○ Maintain clear and honest communication with clients and colleagues. ○ Do not use recreational drugs or alcohol before or during massage sessions. ○ Project a professional image with respect to behavior and personal appearance in keeping with the highest standards of the massage profession.
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Book Code: MLA1224
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