tag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-1250480 2011-04-01T09:25:32-07:00 News and information about the legal system and its impact on the professional. TypePad tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14436 2011-06-01T12:00:32-07:00 2011-06-01T12:00:07-07:00

For decades, the massage profession has battled the stereotype that it is a front for prostitution. While the occasional bad apple can still be found in the bunch, the profession has made significant strides in recent years to combat this false belief. Hospitals and health care centers nationwide have begun to embrace massage as a compliment to their traditional medical practices and most states have established licensing criteria for professionals who have the proper education and skills to become legitimate practitioners.

By Kathryn Feather, Senior Associate Editor For decades, the massage profession has battled the stereotype that it is a front for prostitution. While the occasional bad apple can still be found in the bunch, the profession has made significant strides in recent years to combat this false belief. Hospitals and health care centers nationwide have begun to embrace massage as a compliment to their traditional medical practices and most states have established licensing criteria for professionals who have the proper education and skills to become legitimate practitioners. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14284 2010-09-01T12:00:32-07:00 2010-09-01T12:00:07-07:00

Will Green, the owner and founder of the International Massage Association (IMA), a business that was once a major insurer for the massage therapy community, said in an interview that depression was behind his failure to pay for more than $600,000 in insurance premium payments, an action that has effectively destroy the business.

By Ramon G. McLeod, Editor-in-Chief Will Green, the owner and founder of the International Massage Association (IMA), a business that was once a major insurer for the massage therapy community, said in an interview that depression was behind his failure to pay for more than $600,000 in insurance premium payments, an action that has effectively destroy the business. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14282 2010-09-01T12:00:32-07:00 2010-09-01T12:00:07-07:00

The sexual assault allegations against Al Gore has elicited much commentary about clients crossing the line sexually. Regardless of the veracity of this particular claim, it is an important topic to explore in-depth. Some clients may "test the waters" about sexual services, while others blatantly cross the line. Massage practitioners must know how to appropriately deal with those situations.

By Cherie Sohnen-Moe The sexual assault allegations against Al Gore has elicited much commentary about clients crossing the line sexually. Regardless of the veracity of this particular claim, it is an important topic to explore in-depth. Some clients may "test the waters" about sexual services, while others blatantly cross the line. Massage practitioners must know how to appropriately deal with those situations. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14278 2010-08-01T12:00:32-07:00 2010-08-01T12:00:07-07:00

The American Massage Council (AMC) is comprised of over 21,000 members and is based in Santa Ana, Calif. Its principal purpose is to provide massage malpractice insurance to massage therapists nationwide.

Editorial Staff The American Massage Council (AMC) is comprised of over 21,000 members and is based in Santa Ana, Calif. Its principal purpose is to provide massage malpractice insurance to massage therapists nationwide. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14145 2009-12-01T12:00:32-07:00 2009-12-01T12:00:07-07:00

Over the last decade, many bodyworkers have begun using stones, not to replace human touch but as an additional relaxing and leveraging technique. Traditionally used by Egyptians, Shamans and American Indians, stones have a long history of therapeutic use and spiritual healing. Today, incorporating stones in one's practice offers this ancient tool, to not only relax clients but also give our hands a rest. Hot stones are a form of thermal and magnetic therapy, requiring a unique trust between the client and practitioner. A respect for the trust bestowed in us by our clients need to be developed by a safe and meticulous protocol to perform this primal technique.

By Dixie Wall, Contributing Editor Over the last decade, many bodyworkers have begun using stones, not to replace human touch but as an additional relaxing and leveraging technique. Traditionally used by Egyptians, Shamans and American Indians, stones have a long history of therapeutic use and spiritual healing. Today, incorporating stones in one's practice offers this ancient tool, to not only relax clients but also give our hands a rest. Hot stones are a form of thermal and magnetic therapy, requiring a unique trust between the client and practitioner. A respect for the trust bestowed in us by our clients need to be developed by a safe and meticulous protocol to perform this primal technique. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-14010 2009-06-01T12:00:32-07:00 2009-06-01T12:00:07-07:00

In late April, swarms of massage therapists, massage school owners, spa owners, and representatives from major massage therapy associations decended upon the Crowne Plaza Universal at the Florida Board of Massage Therapy meeting. They were all there with one issue in mind: the settlement terms of the lawsuit brought on by the NCBTMB.

By Christie Bondurant In late April, swarms of massage therapists, massage school owners, spa owners, and representatives from major massage therapy associations decended upon the Crowne Plaza Universal at the Florida Board of Massage Therapy meeting. They were all there with one issue in mind: the settlement terms of the lawsuit brought on by the NCBTMB. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-13982 2009-05-01T12:00:32-07:00 2009-05-01T12:00:07-07:00

Sexual misconduct is not a new problem among health care practitioners. Hippocrates even added to his oath, "In every house where I come I will enter only for the good of my patients, keeping myself far from all intentional ill-doing and all seduction, and especially from the pleasures of love with women or men, be they free or slaves." In order to prevent this damaging conduct from happening to our clients and in our practices, we must maintain appropriate boundaries and develop open communication. It is our responsibility as the therapist to establish these boundaries, and shift them to the needs of the client.

By Dixie Wall, Contributing Editor Sexual misconduct is not a new problem among health care practitioners. Hippocrates even added to his oath, "In every house where I come I will enter only for the good of my patients, keeping myself far from all intentional ill-doing and all seduction, and especially from the pleasures of love with women or men, be they free or slaves." In order to prevent this damaging conduct from happening to our clients and in our practices, we must maintain appropriate boundaries and develop open communication. It is our responsibility as the therapist to establish these boundaries, and shift them to the needs of the client. tag:mpamedia.com,2008:post-13963 2009-04-01T12:00:32-07:00 2009-04-01T12:00:07-07:00

Pending legislation in Arkansas and New Mexico threatens the authority of state boards currently charged with oversight of massage therapy regulation in those two states. While the bills differ in substance, both are considered serious threats to the existing bodies that regulate the practice of massage including: the Arkansas State Board of Massage Therapy and the New Mexico Massage Therapy Board. Both the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP) and the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) have put the bills on the massage community's radar.

By Christie Bondurant Pending legislation in Arkansas and New Mexico threatens the authority of state boards currently charged with oversight of massage therapy regulation in those two states. While the bills differ in substance, both are considered serious threats to the existing bodies that regulate the practice of massage including: the Arkansas State Board of Massage Therapy and the New Mexico Massage Therapy Board. Both the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP) and the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) have put the bills on the massage community's radar.