ANTA Policy & Guidelines for Remedial Massage Therapy, Myotherapy

Musculoskeletal Therapy, Shiatsu, An-Mo-Tuina and other massage therapy

techniques used by ANTA members

Introduction

This document sets out relevant professional considerations, behaviour and conduct expected of

ANTA members using various massage techniques in which they are trained. This document should

be read in conjunction with the ANTA Code of Professional Ethics, ANTA Constitution, Federal, State

& Local Govt laws and regulations( including the Code of Conduct in NSW & SA), Health Fund & Work

Cover Authority requirements.

Duty of Care/Liability

When a client is present for assessment and treatment the professional and legal duty of care in

relation to the client is established.

Members have a responsibility to ensure the therapeutic intervention is intended to be of benefit to

the client, is appropriate and in accordance with their training.

Members should be aware any breach of care may give rise to a claim for damages for negligence by

the client.

Members have a responsibility to provide safe consultation and treatment facilities that ensure

discussions and treatments are undertaken in a private setting and the patients privacy and dignity is protected at all times.

Members have a responsibility to provide appropriate changing areas and toilet facilities for the use

of patients Informed Consent.

A clients informed consent must be obtained before carrying out any form of examination or treatment.

Sufficient information in lay terms must be provided to the client to avoid any misunderstanding.

Treatment options must be discussed with the client including treatment benefits, risks or side effects.

Australian Natural Therapists Association Ltd QP61V1.0170312

Members must encourage clients to ask questions and have the opportunity to ask questions before examination or treatment commences.

Members must inform clients of their right to decline or stop examination or treatment any time.

Obtaining Consent

It is recommended written consent containing information regarding examination and/or treatment is obtained from the client.

Consent obtained from the client should be noted/recorded in the client record.

Payment for examination and/or treatment or the presence of a client does not imply consent.

It may be advantageous to provide the client with a written document outlining examination and

treatments provided prior to the first contact with the client and to assess the clients understanding at the first consultation.

Members should be aware if clients are not provided with sufficient information in a form they

understand to make a decision, the patients consent may not be valid.

When a client is on the massage table with the member in a standing position the client could feel

anxious in an unfamiliar environment with the member seemingly in a position of control and

power. Members are advised to diminish the position of power and control as far as possible by

discussing treatment and exchanging information with the client and member both sitting facing each other to encourage eye contact.

Members should where practicable obtain written consent from the client to undertake the

examination and treatment discussed with the client prior to commencement.

Touching patients

Massage therapy requires members to touch clients when examining, testing muscle strength,

assessing range of movement and tone or during treatment when positioning, movement and massaging.

In some cases clients may be required to remove some clothing prior to examination and treatment.

If removal of clothing is required it is important to carefully explain to the client what areas will be

touched and why removal of certain pieces of clothing is required.

Permission to touch the client should be obtained, otherwise a misunderstanding could occur which

could leave a member open to allegations of assault.

Clients may have reasons for not wishing to remove clothing or to be touched. If this occurs and

when applicable the member should advise the patient that treatment may need to be modified.

Client Boundaries

Australian Natural Therapists Association Ltd QP61V1.0170312

Respect for client boundaries is very important and the client may choose to remove or leave on as

much clothing as they wish or are comfortable with.

If clothing is removed, draping must be provided and used in a way that ensures the safety, comfort

and privacy of the client. Only the area being massaged is to be undraped/exposed.

The member must not engage in any contact, touching or gesture of a sexual nature or contact

touching or gesture that could be perceived as sexual.

The breast and genital area must not be touched or massaged and a professional distance must be

maintained in relation to surrounding areas.

Members should not conduct an internal examination at anytime. Internal examination is regarded as assault.

Members must not enter into a sexual relationship, make sexual advances or have discussions of a

sexual nature with clients even if it is initialised by clients.

It is inappropriate for a therapist to discuss their personal life with a client.

The practitioner must make the client aware they may stop the examination or treatment and are free to leave at anytime.

The client may at anytime refuse any examination or treatment.

The member may refuse examination or treatment if clients express opinions or views or behave in

ways which are offensive or harmful.

The therapeutic relationship between member and client must be based on mutual trust and

respect. The therapeutic relationship must not be exploited either within or outside the treatment situation.