Last Minute Massage Blog

The massage industry sometimes seems to, unfortunately, get confused with some industries of lesser moral values. But in actuality, massage therapists have a long, long, long list of ethics and values that they must uphold to be able to have a dignified practice and a list of loyal clientele. These days you see so many ads on Craig’s list and Backpage, local newspapers where “therapist” seems so sketchy and have pictures posted of themselves in their lingerie, with teddy bears and such. I understand that there are people who are looking for certain illegal activities, but what about the therapist that are truly trying to help people get more relaxed, healthy and stress free? I feel like maybe some of these impostors should be reminded of the ethics a legit Massage Therapist must follow at their practices and start calling themselves what in fact, they truly are.

Massage as in any other profession is a contract between the practitioners and the public so that the public get a reliable, trustworthy service.

Professionals have the right to exercise their skills and there are three relationships involving the massage professional:
1) Between the therapist and the client;
2) Between the therapist and the profession as a whole;
3) Between the therapist and the public as a whole.

There are two possible relationships between the massage therapist and the client:
1) where the therapist simply carries out the client’s wishes, with no significant decisions, providing the treatment as requested.
2) where the client transfers all decisions to the therapist, so that the therapist determines and carries out the treatment in consultation with the client.

The primary responsibility is for the health and safety of the client.
Work must be carried out with due care and diligence. In practical terms, the massage therapist must be familiar with the necessary skills in massage, anatomy and physiology, first aid, and must ensure that no contraindications are exhibited.

The reputation of the profession must be upheld, and standards improved.

The public knowledge and understanding of the profession must be advanced.

A professional massage therapist must act with integrity towards his fellow members. He/she will encourage and support them in their professional development, including new entrants, up to the limit of her/his competence.

The work must be completed on time and be of an acceptable standard. The therapist should not attempt to work beyond her/his competence. In practice, the therapist must decline requests for work in which he/she has not been trained, i.e. medical physiotherapy.

The therapist must not take advantage of the ignorance or inexperience of others. False claims must not be made as to the effects of massage.

A profession is distinguished by a specialized body of knowledge. In the case of massage, this relates to the physical practice of massage and to the health and well being of the client.

The reputation of the profession must be upheld, and standards improved.
The public knowledge and understanding of the profession must be advanced.
A professional massage therapist must act with integrity towards his fellow members. He/she will encourage and support them in their professional development, including new entrants, up to the limit of her/his competence.

Therapists must keep up to date with current developments in the field. Practically, this may involve peer discussions, subscriptions to relevant trade journals and to have an awareness of relevant scientific research.

Etchis go way back!
The Hippocratic Oath was probably not written by Hippocrates, but it serves as a code of medical ethics.
Includes;

I swear by Apollo the Physician, and Aesculapius, and Hygeia and Panaceia, and all the gods and goddesses, that according to my ability and judgment I will keep this oath.
I will give no deadly medicine to anyone even if asked nor will I ever suggest such a counsel.
Whatever house I enter I will come for the benefit of the sick and will avoid every act of corruption.
Whatever I see or hear in the lives of men which should not be heard abroad I will not divulge knowing that all these things must be kept secret.

Life isn’t, fair, I get that, but I have such a respect for true massage therapists, I think that they should get a pat on the back!

Thanks,
Tiffany