Sustainable Massage Practice
By Suzanne Cunningham
Massage is an organic experience, therefore it makes sense to link it to sustainability. Sustainability is more than just looking at our impact on the planet. In this blog I will address the efforts we can make in our massage practice to preserve Earth, but also look at the implications to ourselves, to our networks and to the economy.
When considering massage in the context of a therapist working on a client, there are many ways in which we can work to make it as organic and sustainable as possible. In Nicole Cutlers online article How to Practice Eco-Friendly Massage (July 21, 2008), she provides some excellent examples of what to incorporate in our practice. Some of them are as simple as making a wise choice when purchasing items from our supermarkets and department stores.
Using organic products wherever possible is highly recommended. This includes “organically grown cotton linens [which] are produced without the use of pesticides; they use sustainable practices such as crop rotation and support beneficial insect life” (Cutler, 2008). The use of organic massage oils and creams is also strongly encouraged. They have a two-fold advantage as they follow the same sustainable principles in their production, but they are also a great way of directly looking after yourself and your clients well-being by limiting the toxins present to be absorbed through the skin. This can also be taken one step further by using, plant and mineral based laundry detergents (which I currently do).
Where possible, buy in bulk. Instead of using several small containers and having a large amount of waste, it is possible to use one large storage container and repeatedly top up a dispenser. Often buying in bulk is cheaper than buying the same volume in smaller containers. Some suppliers may even offer a discount if you return the empty containers (eg: The Body Shop). Due to the low volume of clients I currently have, this is not yet a major consideration for me. However, once I have a higher client work load, bulk purchasing of oils will be something to prioritise.
To take sustainable practice further, the environment in which you practice should be considered. Efficient insulation and heating of the premises should be a high priority. Currently, my room has very little ceiling insulation and no under floor insulation. Both of these are going to be remedied very soon as there has been a noticeable change in recent weeks as to how high the heater needs to be and how long the heat is retained in the room. For those who are renting premises this can be a little difficult to ensure, however, wise decision making when renting a location can save a lot of expensive heating measures in the long run. Insulation requirements will vary from region to region, however, if you want to keep your space warm or cool, adequate insulation makes this a much more efficient process.
Sharing premises with another therapist or complementary healthcare provider could be a good way of sharing many expenses and the environmental impact, instead of replicating it in many different locations for a single use. In addition, wise booking of clients can also assist. If you have two or more clients back to back, this can be more sustainable than having one in the morning and one in the evening. You will either have to use extra energy reheating the area for the second client or use a large amount in keeping the area warm for the entire time. Less energy use = less drain on the environment.
The type of heating (or cooling) systems also needs to be considered as some are more efficient in different environments (radiant versus convection). As safety is paramount, there may be some limitations on what can be selected, but it pays to do your homework to see which type is going to be suited to the space and materials in your work environment.
So, by combining wise insulation, heating and time management you will be able to make a significant difference to your energy use, thus your impact on the environment and the size of your heating bill! Using energy efficient lighting takes it just one step further.
Reuse and recycle is another method to use to keep your business environmentally sustainable and keep costs down. I re-use printer paper - drafts of assignments, emails, etc - basically anything that is not confidential. They get sliced into pieces and used for grocery lists, to-do lists, book marks, phone messages, and so on.
Cutler (2008) says this about recycling, “Considered to be the ultimate green act, participation in a recycling program makes a big impact on preserving the environment”. Any items that can be recycled should be recycled through your local council (or other available systems).
However, there are more areas that massage is relevant to sustainability than the environment. There are the very human, social and economic impacts which have many flow-on effects into our society. For example, by therapists remembering to keep massage sessions to the specified time, and managing workloads so that they don’t burn out, this provides sustainability of our massage providers. If they are looking after themselves and each other, they will be available to provide outstanding and ongoing care for their clients.
The so called “human sustainability” (McQuillan, 2009) factor of massage can be measured by the improvement in our own and our clients physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. Although many may say the latter two cannot be measured, most will report an improvement in their sense of general well-being, which is a form of self measure – we all know when we are feeling better after a period of ill health or stress!
By educating clients to become more self aware, they grow and learn more about themselves. They will often feel inclined to become more active, perhaps in an effort to get fit and strengthen weakened muscles, to manage stress levels or reconnect with their personal and professional networks in a more positive way. As clients become more self aware, they may also choose to further their education about their health - perhaps by changing their diet to reduce the volume and type of toxins entering the body, becoming aware of any food intolerances and just being generally more aware of what makes them feel better. In addition to managing their stress by having a physical outlet, some may even feel positive enough to address the source of their stress and eliminate it completely. This self awareness is another area in which I need to address my massage practice. By not making my diet and exercise a priority, I regularly run low on energy and optimism. This is not sustainable!!
These, and many other factors which can come directly from receiving regular massage, can flow on to affect other areas of our society. As discussed in my blog The Effects of Massage on the Autonomic Nervous System, oxytocin is a chemical in the body that is attributed to “the ability to bond and form healthy relationships with other people” (Cunningham, 2009). As massage can increase a persons natural level of oxytocin, clients will hopefully be leaving their sessions with an increased feeling of warmth and compassion towards others. This can only but have a positive effect on those they connect with. If this is combined with a reduction in stress levels, be it because they are no longer in pain from muscle tension, or they have an increased level of “feel good” hormones, a person is more likely to be calmer, more positive, less emotional and more rational. This can only bode well for their interactions with others.
I have experienced this first hand recently. After completing several assignments my stress levels dropped markedly. This resulted in me having more physical time and emotional “head space” to provide positive attention and energy onto those around me. Positive facial cues and warm responses replaced the frowns, tight lips and crisp replies that were previously dealt out. Although I could feel the change in myself, it was the comments and reponses from those around me that have had the most impact. Therefore, the professional relationships we build with our clients and the physical effect we have on them through massage will have an enormous impact on the way they interact in their other relationships, building social sustainability.
“Economic sustainability” is something we should all be striving for. By building a great business we hope to have a fabulous income. Ok, realistically it will be a good income, enabling us to live a comfortable lifestyle and have a little disposable income. If we are able to comfortably cover our costs, we are more likely to feel positive about spending our profit on other industries – hospitality, travel, adventure, clothing and textiles, and so on.
Looking at it from another angle, if as massage therapists we are treating workers in these other industries, hopefully they are fit and well, therefore more productive in their industry, reaping the economic rewards and having the disposable income to also contribute to the economic cycle. People who feel better do more! These people who are feeling better will also hopefully have the time and energy to consider the world around them instead of only have the energy to get through their day.
This positivity, combined with economic growth, can have enormous effects on our environment. People will have the time and energy to consider the choices available to them (eg: Fair Trade coffee). If they have the economic growth, they will have the income to pay slightly more for the socially and environmentally sustainable products. As many of these products do cost more than their bulk and commercially produced counterparts, it will only be by the buying power of those who can afford it to change the supply and demand see-saw so that there are more of these products available, therefore hopefully having an increasingly positive impact on our world and our own sustainability.
It is astounding to consider the far reaching effects massage may possibly have, and it is exciting to be considered a part of such an organic and important process. There are many things that I must personally consider and address as I continue to make my business sustainable, and I believe I have already made some solid ground in the right direction.
Resources
Cunningham, S. (2009, April 2). The effects of massage on the autonomic nervous system. Message posted to Suzanne Cunningham – Massage Therapist [Web Log]: http://suzmassage.blogspot.com/
Cutler, N. (2008, July 21). How to practice eco-friendly massage. Retrieved May 21, 2009, from
http://www.integrative-healthcare.org/mt/archives/2008/07/how_to_practice.html
McQuillan, D. (2009). Fundamentals – ethics (Sustainable massage practice). Retrieved May 24, 2009, from http://elluminate.tekotago.ac.nz/play_recording_confirmation.html
Monday, May 25, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Study Skills - Task 7
Time Management
By Suzanne Cunningham
I thought I had it sorted! However, as I tried to complete this assignment, by my third draft I began to realise just how far off the mark I am.
I started the year with high hopes and grand plans. I went through my diary and wrote in our schedule according to the online timetable. I made lists of my regular clients and my daughters activities. I even printed off the assessments from the course pages and put them all in date order in one assessment folder so I can work logically through them. My husband travels for work at irregular times and for extended periods, so I knew that I had to plan my life as if he is not here – if he is, bonus! Even before taking on the commitment of full time study I carefully considered my existing daily and weekly commitments and identified that I would be able to find a workable balance. I was going to fit it all in during school hours and the occasional late evening so that I would still be there for my family. I usually have extraordinary time management skills which have served me well in the past. To be honest, I really don’t know how it has all gone so pear shaped.
So while I have been sitting here trying to reflect on the important areas in my life that I need to prioritise (daily/weekly household tasks, my daughters activities, my study, my relationships, my work, my health), it has become clear that one of my biggest problems (or weaknesses) is the inability to identify which is the most important item and give it top priority (compared to identifying the most pressing problem that needs attention now). Does it change minute by minute, or day by day? Am I considering what is more important to others instead of what is more important to me, and is this wrong? This then lends itself to the second biggest problem of my inability to say no and to be less of a “people pleaser”.
Typically in the past I have taken other peoples schedules and worked mine around them. This could be because my husband has always travelled to varying degrees, so we have always had to work in around his schedule. Now that our daughter is getting older and has numerous activities each week, here is yet another schedule that I need to work around. Prioritising time for me is proving to be a major challenge. I usually book my clients in when it suits them, not necessarily when it works for me, and as time progresses I am seeing and feeling the negative impact all this “people pleasing” is having on my physical and emotional health.
I believe that I have time management in day-to-day family life fairly well nailed. My diary is my bible and it has all our external commitments listed to avoid double bookings or missing something. We are prepared and on time for events and activities. We eat and sleep at “normal” times, and there are always clean clothes to wear. However, it appears that I have some major work to do to get my own personal priorities and time management sorted so that my studies are given the due care and attention that I intended at the start of the year.
My first step is going to be to create a realistic schedule based on the three week cycle we have with our block courses. During the two weeks in between blocks there will be a limit to the number of clients I see in a day and in a week. I will also need to start occasionally accepting the offers of help from family members in an attempt to free up time I normally spend driving to, and waiting at, my daughter’s activities. Perhaps I will need to go as far as allocating a particular day of the week for a specific subject, just to ensure I concentrate on one thing at a time. Most importantly, I am going to prioritise some play-time for myself. I haven’t skated in months. It was my “happy place” when I felt down about being back in Dunedin. The personal challenge it presents is so rewarding when you master a new skill and break through boundaries. Not to mention the friendship and camaraderie I have with my fellow adult skaters. It really is a different experience that bonds you with others who are taking on this unusual challenge at a later stage in life.
Watch this space… The old and revitalised Suz will be back
By Suzanne Cunningham
I thought I had it sorted! However, as I tried to complete this assignment, by my third draft I began to realise just how far off the mark I am.
I started the year with high hopes and grand plans. I went through my diary and wrote in our schedule according to the online timetable. I made lists of my regular clients and my daughters activities. I even printed off the assessments from the course pages and put them all in date order in one assessment folder so I can work logically through them. My husband travels for work at irregular times and for extended periods, so I knew that I had to plan my life as if he is not here – if he is, bonus! Even before taking on the commitment of full time study I carefully considered my existing daily and weekly commitments and identified that I would be able to find a workable balance. I was going to fit it all in during school hours and the occasional late evening so that I would still be there for my family. I usually have extraordinary time management skills which have served me well in the past. To be honest, I really don’t know how it has all gone so pear shaped.
So while I have been sitting here trying to reflect on the important areas in my life that I need to prioritise (daily/weekly household tasks, my daughters activities, my study, my relationships, my work, my health), it has become clear that one of my biggest problems (or weaknesses) is the inability to identify which is the most important item and give it top priority (compared to identifying the most pressing problem that needs attention now). Does it change minute by minute, or day by day? Am I considering what is more important to others instead of what is more important to me, and is this wrong? This then lends itself to the second biggest problem of my inability to say no and to be less of a “people pleaser”.
Typically in the past I have taken other peoples schedules and worked mine around them. This could be because my husband has always travelled to varying degrees, so we have always had to work in around his schedule. Now that our daughter is getting older and has numerous activities each week, here is yet another schedule that I need to work around. Prioritising time for me is proving to be a major challenge. I usually book my clients in when it suits them, not necessarily when it works for me, and as time progresses I am seeing and feeling the negative impact all this “people pleasing” is having on my physical and emotional health.
I believe that I have time management in day-to-day family life fairly well nailed. My diary is my bible and it has all our external commitments listed to avoid double bookings or missing something. We are prepared and on time for events and activities. We eat and sleep at “normal” times, and there are always clean clothes to wear. However, it appears that I have some major work to do to get my own personal priorities and time management sorted so that my studies are given the due care and attention that I intended at the start of the year.
My first step is going to be to create a realistic schedule based on the three week cycle we have with our block courses. During the two weeks in between blocks there will be a limit to the number of clients I see in a day and in a week. I will also need to start occasionally accepting the offers of help from family members in an attempt to free up time I normally spend driving to, and waiting at, my daughter’s activities. Perhaps I will need to go as far as allocating a particular day of the week for a specific subject, just to ensure I concentrate on one thing at a time. Most importantly, I am going to prioritise some play-time for myself. I haven’t skated in months. It was my “happy place” when I felt down about being back in Dunedin. The personal challenge it presents is so rewarding when you master a new skill and break through boundaries. Not to mention the friendship and camaraderie I have with my fellow adult skaters. It really is a different experience that bonds you with others who are taking on this unusual challenge at a later stage in life.
Watch this space… The old and revitalised Suz will be back
Fundamentals Of Massage - Task 4
The Ethics of Professional Practice
By Suzanne Cunningham
Ethics - “The standards that govern the conduct of a person, especially a member of a profession” (Wiktionary, 2009). Massage therapists have a responsibility to themselves and their clients to set high ethical standards due to the unique relationship that exist between them. Just some of the ethical aspects to be considered will be outlined in this blog.
Client Centred Care
“In client-centered care, clients are [to be] considered first and foremost at every point in the planning, implementation, and evaluation… Clients are the experts on their own personal circumstances and wants” (Kols & Sherman, 1998). Therapists need to respect each client as an individual and tailor each session to be in the clients best interests. Clear communication will assist the therapist to obtain client information and informed consent prior to treatment.
Informed Consent
This is where a client gives permission for treatment based on a clear understanding of all the facts, and potential consequences of an action. The client must have the ability to reason the information they are given and must be provided with all the relevant details for consent to be given (Wikipedia 2009).
For massage, fully informed consent can be difficult due to the volume of information to be advised to the client. However, procedures and possible after-effects must be clearly communicated to and understood by the client prior to treatment. Minors or those who have some form of cognitive impairment should have a carer or legal guardian present to make informed consent decisions on their behalf. As part of the informed consent procedure, clinic policies, procedures and a scope of practice should be clearly available to the client.
Scope of Practice (SOP)
In order to have an honest SOP, Salvo (2007) advises that we need to understand our professional limits, and cautions that it is unethical to take on a client to whom we cannot provide adequate treatment (p. 24). Therapists who have a clearly defined SOP will be trained and have suitable experience to perform the specified treatments competently and professionally. Having an honest and clear SOP will promote therapeutic relationships with clients and professional relationships with other healthcare practitioners.
Relationships
Professionalism and trust are vital when developing both therapeutic and professional relationships.
This aspect has proved to be my personal challenge. It is easier to maintain professionalism when working with clients that I see only in the paid massage context. It is difficult to keep a professional distance when practicing on friends and family due to pre-existing relationships. In this situation, the balance of power is also altered (when compared to a paying client) as they are fulfilling my need to practice. This is an area in which I need to continue to develop to ensure I always maintain an acceptable level of professionalism in all massages.
If therapeutic relationships evolve into anything else, it is wise to refer the client to another therapist as they may be able to provide more objective treatment within professional boundaries.
Confidentiality
Many elements of client confidentiality are covered by the Privacy Act of 1993. Client records must be inaccessible to unauthorised persons. Only the client and persons explicitly authorised by the client are permitted to access them. Information in client records must also accurately reflect what has occurred during treatment. Inappropriate information should not be documented. For example, items such as work stress directly relating to a named third party should not be recorded. It is advisable to keep it generic and perhaps identify it as work related emotional stress.
Discussions about clients to third parties are also inappropriate. However, if it is an example of treatment techniques or results, providing the information supplied makes it impossible for the client to be identified in any way, this may be acceptable in some circumstances. This is an important rule in a city like Dunedin, where there are many surprising connections and relationships. If you happen to see a client outside the usual treatment environment, it is permissible to acknowledge them with eye contact and a smile, but the client must be the one to initiate any further contact. This respects their boundaries and privacy.
Boundaries
Boundaries clearly define roles and responsibilities in all relationships. By dressing in a professional manner (clean, tidy and appropriately), this sets an immediate boundary for the client. When this is backed by a warm but professional approach to the remainder of the massage process, the boundaries will remain clear and avoid any misunderstandings. According to Salvo (2007), “By having professional boundaries in place, we instil a sense of respect and dignity to our clients, to our profession and to ourselves” (p. 18). Occasionally, boundaries may shift and errors can occur like commenting on a clients appearance or the offering of psychological advice. However, continual monitoring of boundaries enables therapists to preserve the sanctity of the therapeutic relationship. Boundaries are vital to understanding and careful handling of the power differential that exist between a client and therapist.
Power Differentials
Clients place a large amount of trust in their therapist when removing clothing and allowing the therapist access to their body. They see therapists as the “professional” with superior knowledge and experience. By using the tools mentioned earlier in the blog, especially informed consent and boundaries, an ethical therapist will be able to maintain a successfully balanced relationship in a way in which there is no real or perceived abuse of power differentials. It is important for clients to understand that they have the right to stop treatment at any point if they feel this is not being handled appropriately.
Transference and Counter Transference
This is an interesting concept and also a frighteningly easy one to see how it can occur. Generally, we are raised in nurturing environments and taught to nurture others as best we can. However, when we are in a therapeutic relationship both client and therapist need to remain within professional boundaries.
If a client is displaying signs of transference (such as buying the therapist personal gifts, or inviting them to social occasions), this will need to be handled carefully to maintaining clear boundaries and if necessary, the client may need to be referred to another therapist.
On the flip side, there can be counter transference, which Salvo (2007) describes as the therapist bringing their unresolved issues or personal needs to the therapeutic relationship and having difficulty maintaining professionalism (p. 33). If a therapist displays these signs they need to carefully consider their behaviour and boundaries, and seek advice from their supervisor or counsellor. If this is not able to be resolved, the best course of action may be to end the therapeutic relationship to prevent it progressing and becoming unethical.
Conclusion
Understanding ethics in relation to professional massage practice has been an interesting learning experience. Many of these items at first seem like common sense which we all assume to have to some degree. However, as you delve deeper and make direct connections as to how they relate to a professional massage practice there are fundamental elements that are easily overlooked at first glance. Boundaries appear to be the strongest element that bonds all the others together. If as therapists we set high standards with the boundaries we put in place, everything else will hopefully reach the same standard. Individual attention to each step will still be required, but it is possible to have an outstanding ethical massage practice.
References
Kols, A and Sherman J (1998). Family planning programmes: Improving Quality, Population Reports, Series J, No 47. Retreived May 18, 2009 from http://www.infoforhealth.org/pr/j47/j47chap3.shtml
McQuillan, D, (2009). Fundamentals of Massage – Ethics. Retrieved May 18, 2009, from http://elluminate.tekotago.ac.nz/play_recording_confirmation.html
Salvo, S (2007). Massage therapy principles and practice (3rd ed), St Louis, Saunders, Elsevier
Wikipedia. Retrieved May 18, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Informed_consent
Wiktionary, Retrieved May 18, 2009, from http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/ethics
By Suzanne Cunningham
Ethics - “The standards that govern the conduct of a person, especially a member of a profession” (Wiktionary, 2009). Massage therapists have a responsibility to themselves and their clients to set high ethical standards due to the unique relationship that exist between them. Just some of the ethical aspects to be considered will be outlined in this blog.
Client Centred Care
“In client-centered care, clients are [to be] considered first and foremost at every point in the planning, implementation, and evaluation… Clients are the experts on their own personal circumstances and wants” (Kols & Sherman, 1998). Therapists need to respect each client as an individual and tailor each session to be in the clients best interests. Clear communication will assist the therapist to obtain client information and informed consent prior to treatment.
Informed Consent
This is where a client gives permission for treatment based on a clear understanding of all the facts, and potential consequences of an action. The client must have the ability to reason the information they are given and must be provided with all the relevant details for consent to be given (Wikipedia 2009).
For massage, fully informed consent can be difficult due to the volume of information to be advised to the client. However, procedures and possible after-effects must be clearly communicated to and understood by the client prior to treatment. Minors or those who have some form of cognitive impairment should have a carer or legal guardian present to make informed consent decisions on their behalf. As part of the informed consent procedure, clinic policies, procedures and a scope of practice should be clearly available to the client.
Scope of Practice (SOP)
In order to have an honest SOP, Salvo (2007) advises that we need to understand our professional limits, and cautions that it is unethical to take on a client to whom we cannot provide adequate treatment (p. 24). Therapists who have a clearly defined SOP will be trained and have suitable experience to perform the specified treatments competently and professionally. Having an honest and clear SOP will promote therapeutic relationships with clients and professional relationships with other healthcare practitioners.
Relationships
Professionalism and trust are vital when developing both therapeutic and professional relationships.
This aspect has proved to be my personal challenge. It is easier to maintain professionalism when working with clients that I see only in the paid massage context. It is difficult to keep a professional distance when practicing on friends and family due to pre-existing relationships. In this situation, the balance of power is also altered (when compared to a paying client) as they are fulfilling my need to practice. This is an area in which I need to continue to develop to ensure I always maintain an acceptable level of professionalism in all massages.
If therapeutic relationships evolve into anything else, it is wise to refer the client to another therapist as they may be able to provide more objective treatment within professional boundaries.
Confidentiality
Many elements of client confidentiality are covered by the Privacy Act of 1993. Client records must be inaccessible to unauthorised persons. Only the client and persons explicitly authorised by the client are permitted to access them. Information in client records must also accurately reflect what has occurred during treatment. Inappropriate information should not be documented. For example, items such as work stress directly relating to a named third party should not be recorded. It is advisable to keep it generic and perhaps identify it as work related emotional stress.
Discussions about clients to third parties are also inappropriate. However, if it is an example of treatment techniques or results, providing the information supplied makes it impossible for the client to be identified in any way, this may be acceptable in some circumstances. This is an important rule in a city like Dunedin, where there are many surprising connections and relationships. If you happen to see a client outside the usual treatment environment, it is permissible to acknowledge them with eye contact and a smile, but the client must be the one to initiate any further contact. This respects their boundaries and privacy.
Boundaries
Boundaries clearly define roles and responsibilities in all relationships. By dressing in a professional manner (clean, tidy and appropriately), this sets an immediate boundary for the client. When this is backed by a warm but professional approach to the remainder of the massage process, the boundaries will remain clear and avoid any misunderstandings. According to Salvo (2007), “By having professional boundaries in place, we instil a sense of respect and dignity to our clients, to our profession and to ourselves” (p. 18). Occasionally, boundaries may shift and errors can occur like commenting on a clients appearance or the offering of psychological advice. However, continual monitoring of boundaries enables therapists to preserve the sanctity of the therapeutic relationship. Boundaries are vital to understanding and careful handling of the power differential that exist between a client and therapist.
Power Differentials
Clients place a large amount of trust in their therapist when removing clothing and allowing the therapist access to their body. They see therapists as the “professional” with superior knowledge and experience. By using the tools mentioned earlier in the blog, especially informed consent and boundaries, an ethical therapist will be able to maintain a successfully balanced relationship in a way in which there is no real or perceived abuse of power differentials. It is important for clients to understand that they have the right to stop treatment at any point if they feel this is not being handled appropriately.
Transference and Counter Transference
This is an interesting concept and also a frighteningly easy one to see how it can occur. Generally, we are raised in nurturing environments and taught to nurture others as best we can. However, when we are in a therapeutic relationship both client and therapist need to remain within professional boundaries.
If a client is displaying signs of transference (such as buying the therapist personal gifts, or inviting them to social occasions), this will need to be handled carefully to maintaining clear boundaries and if necessary, the client may need to be referred to another therapist.
On the flip side, there can be counter transference, which Salvo (2007) describes as the therapist bringing their unresolved issues or personal needs to the therapeutic relationship and having difficulty maintaining professionalism (p. 33). If a therapist displays these signs they need to carefully consider their behaviour and boundaries, and seek advice from their supervisor or counsellor. If this is not able to be resolved, the best course of action may be to end the therapeutic relationship to prevent it progressing and becoming unethical.
Conclusion
Understanding ethics in relation to professional massage practice has been an interesting learning experience. Many of these items at first seem like common sense which we all assume to have to some degree. However, as you delve deeper and make direct connections as to how they relate to a professional massage practice there are fundamental elements that are easily overlooked at first glance. Boundaries appear to be the strongest element that bonds all the others together. If as therapists we set high standards with the boundaries we put in place, everything else will hopefully reach the same standard. Individual attention to each step will still be required, but it is possible to have an outstanding ethical massage practice.
References
Kols, A and Sherman J (1998). Family planning programmes: Improving Quality, Population Reports, Series J, No 47. Retreived May 18, 2009 from http://www.infoforhealth.org/pr/j47/j47chap3.shtml
McQuillan, D, (2009). Fundamentals of Massage – Ethics. Retrieved May 18, 2009, from http://elluminate.tekotago.ac.nz/play_recording_confirmation.html
Salvo, S (2007). Massage therapy principles and practice (3rd ed), St Louis, Saunders, Elsevier
Wikipedia. Retrieved May 18, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Informed_consent
Wiktionary, Retrieved May 18, 2009, from http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/ethics
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