Elements and Performance Criteria

Factors likely to have a negative impact on assessment may include:
Language difficulties
Disabilities
Emotional trauma
Lack of privacy or focus due to additional parties being present
Cultural or gender factors

Other health care professional may include:
Doctors
Social workers
Alternative health practitioners
Counsellors
Other allied health care professionals

Client history may include:
Date of presentation
Identifying personal details
Source of referral (if applicable)
Main presenting complaint or reason for massage
Presenting symptom picture
General state of health
Physical
Emotional
Allergies
Dietary picture
Sleep pattern
Exercise
Leisure activities
Childhood and adulthood illness
Accidents, injuries, operations
Hospitalisations
Occupational history and environment
Other current medical/alternative health care treatment
Medication, supplements and natural prescriptions - current and previous
Previous occurrence of presenting complaint
Social lifestyle including smoking, social drug usage
Family history

Potential sensitivities may include:
Gender
Ethnicity
Language
Religious beliefs
Cultural heritage
Sexuality
Ability
Presenting disease state and personal history

Physical assessment will include attention to:
Active movements
Passive movements
Resisted movements
Functional movements
Palpatory findings
Swelling
Instability
Parasthesia
Characteristics of pain
Contralateral comparisons
Pulse assessment
Marma palpation
Doshic evaluation
Ama assessment

Established assessment procedures may include:
Observation
Discussion
Temperature
Pulse
Palpation
Percussion
Range of motion tests
Muscle strength tests
Observation of variations of posture
Any other method in which the practitioner has been trained to a competent standard
Procedure which is conducted according to legislative and regulatory requirements

Contra-indications to treatment may include:
Infection or infectious diseases
Pain-local sharp, dull, achy, deep, surface
Inflammation
Lumps and tissue changes
Rashes and changes in the skin
Oedema
Changes in habits such as appetite elimination or sleep
Bleeding and bruising
Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
Temperature - hot/cold
Varicose veins
Recent severe sprains, bruises or whiplash injuries
Migraines
Influence of prescribed/non prescribed drugs
Intoxication

Critical aspects of assessment:
Knowledge of physical signs and symptoms of condition
Demonstrated observation skills
Ability to observe and identify variations of posture
Demonstrated record keeping skills
Demonstrated communication skills
Ability to perform testing and assessment procedures
Knowledge of and ability to use terminology correct to epidemiology and massage practice
Ability to recognise and adjust to contra-indications for treatment
Knowledge of further testing procedures
Ability to read medical test results or documents
Ability to discuss and observe treatment protocols

Concurrent assessment and relationship with other units:
Communicate effectively with clients/patients

Underpinning knowledge and skills:
Skills in using appropriate ayurvedic assessment techniques
Knowledge of Ayurvedic physiology and anatomy
Knowledge of Tri-Dosha theory
Knowledge of Marmas
Knowledge of the 14 major nadis
Knowledge of Ayurvedic symptomology and pathology
Knowledge of disease causation acute and chronic inflammatory processes wound healing and haemorrhage processes
Knowledge of the pathological process of thrombosis and embolism
Knowledge of atheroma formation and oedema and their effects within the human body
Knowledge of normotensive and hypertensive characteristics
Knowledge of infectious and immunity process
Knowledge of neoplasms and pathological skin conditions
Knowledge of structure and function of cells, tissues, blood and organs
Knowledge of main paths of the human respiratory and cardiovascular systems and their physiology
Knowledge of digestive, integumentary, nervous, urinary, endocrine and reproductive systems
Knowledge of structure and function of anatomical systems
Knowledge of structure and function of skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular and lymphatic systems
Knowledge of the effects of hormones on the body
Knowledge of environmental physiology and the effects of drugs on the individual
Ability to identify contra-indications for massage
Awareness of critical information required for diagnosis and treatment according to massage therapy framework
Knowledge of relevant testing and assessment options and procedures
Skills in using appropriate assessment techniques
Ability to use equipment and technology competently and safely
Ability to read medical reports
Knowledge of Ayurvedic indications for massage
Ability to identify prominent bones/structures and major muscle groups through palpation
Awareness of time management requirements during consultation
Demonstrated communication skills to gain and convey required information
Knowledge of ethical and legal implications of enquiry

Resource implications:
Resource requirements may include:
An appropriately stocked and equipped clinic or simulated clinic environment
Relevant assessment instruments
Appropriate assessment environment
Skilled assessors

Method of assessment:
Assessment may include:
Observation of performance
Examples of assessment notes
Simulated assessments
Oral questioning on technique or assessment strategy
Case studies and scenarios as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice in the work environment

Context of assessment:
This unit is most appropriately assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace and under the normal range of work conditions. Assessment may be conducted on more than one occasion to cover a variety of circumstances.