Welcome to the MAHA Body Blog
Aloha! On behalf of John Sanderson, the Maui Academy of Healing Arts principal, I want to welcome you to the MAHA BODY BLOG! This blog is for students, prospective students, graduates, practitioners and anyone else with an interest in the massage therapy profession.
As a teacher at MAHA, I want to facilitate a dialog on current topics related to massage therapy. I will do my best to keep the subjects interesting if not controversial, but I am depending on you and your comments.
We begin the MAHA Body Blog with a couple of questions about ethics. Do you have a legal opinion? Are you practicing massage with full knowledge of the law? (Those are not the two questions.) Let’s first look at the Hawai’i Revised Statutes, Chapter 452, Massage Therapy (emphasis added):
Two QuestionsSection 452-1 Definitions. For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall be adopted:
"Massage", "massage therapy", and "Hawaiian massage" commonly known as lomilomi, means any method of treatment of the superficial soft parts of the body, consisting of rubbing, stroking, tapotement, pressing, shaking, or kneading with the hands, feet, elbow, or arms, and whether or not aided by any mechanical or electrical apparatus, appliances, or supplementary aids such as rubbing alcohol, liniments, antiseptics, oils, powder, creams, lotions, ointments, or other similar preparations commonly used in this practice. Any mechanical or electrical apparatus used as described in this chapter shall be approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration.
Is it inside the scope of practice for a massage therapist, licensed and practicing in the State of Hawai’i, to:
1. Release the iliopsoas and the diaphragm, arguably the deepest muscles of our bodies?
2. Perform intra-oral techniques (e.g., lateral pterygoid, masseter, and other structures inside the mouth)?
I doubt that we diverge on the importance of releasing hypertonic muscles that often hold trigger points, causing pain and dysfunction. And it is well documented that low back pain can be caused by iliopsoas trigger points and that jaw pain can be caused by trigger points in the lateral pterygoid.
So, given these circumstances, I have chosen to study these muscles, the related anatomy and physiology, the pathophysiology, and learn hands-on techniques from experienced teachers. It is my practice to assess and treat these muscles. I am thinking that the spirit of the law does not intend to restrict me from respectfully treating my clients, even if that means treating deeper tissue, or muscles that may not be easy to access.
Interesting questions after reading the statute about superficial only work. I don't think there is any ethical question as to whether is should be allowed. These muscles, like any other can benefit from being released and palpated when done properly. I would certainly want to explain to the client that it may not be a "feel good rub" during the process but the end results can be profound. As far as the legal issue, you never know where that will go until it's challenged by the board or in court. I say go for it and let the clients decide if its appropriate for them.
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