Elements and Performance Criteria

Massage principles include:
Relevant code of ethics or code of conduct documents/policies, regulations and guidelines national, state/territory or local massage therapy organisations and/or associations
Relevant national, state/territory or local government regulations and guidelines
Accepted preventative practices adopted by self or peers to minimise safety hazards and risks in the same or similar situations
Current and past good practice demonstrated by self or peers in the same or similar situation
Individual responsibility to others regarding the proximity of the relationship and reasonable standard of care
Delivering the highest possible professional care to all client/patients with consideration for the medical, ethical, social and religious needs of the client/patient
Principles of client/patient confidentiality
Respect of boundary issues such as:
Compliance with industry code of ethics and practice in relation to:
Informed consent
Duty of care
Draping
Hygiene
The scope of client/therapist relationships
Advertising
Maintenance of equipment
Social/cultural morals
Equal treatment of all clients/patients
Psycho-emotional well being of clients/patient
Referral of clients/patients who want treatment outside the scope of the available services
Dealing appropriately with difficult clients/patients

Major methods of treatment include:
Petrissage
Effleurage including cross over stroke, longitudinal stroking, gliding techniques
Passive joint movement techniques
Passive soft tissue movement
Kneading
Friction techniques
Vibration
Compressive techniques including digital ischemic pressure
Percussion techniques
Temperature therapy
Deep tissue massage techniques
Myofascial release
Manual lymphatic drainage
Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation
Trigger point release techniques
Stretching techniques
Mobilising techniques

Other techniques in which the practitioner is trained such as:
Shiatsu
Tuina
Accupressure/TCM
Reflexology
Polarity therapy
Reiki
Cranio sacral
Touch for Health
Magnetic Therapy
Chi Nei Tsang
Alexander Technique
Trager Approach
Restorative techniques (disability)
Sports therapies
Kinesiology
Hydrotherapy
Integration therapy
TENS
Aromatherapy

Other complementary therapies may include:
Therapies in which the practitioner is trained or informed

Massage assessment techniques may include:
Observation
Discussion
Temperature taking through tactile methods
Pulse taking when required for massage technique
Palpation
Percussion
Range of motion tests
Orthopaedic tests
Assessment of the neural system
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

Information on other complementary therapies may include:
Historical development
Current availability
Tools and techniques
Interactions between different therapies
When therapies may be used
Underpinning philosophy

Definition of allopathic and naturopathic approaches is:
Allopathic - the western medical model in which a disease or an abnormal condition is treated by creating an environment that is antagonistic to it, ie, a system that emphasises treatment of disease
Naturopathic - a system of health care that emphasises health maintenance, disease prevention, patient education and patient responsibility

Relationship between therapies may include:
Contra-indications to treatment
Effects of one treatment over or with another
Treatment according to stage of condition

Enquiries may require explanation of:
Duration of treatment
Expected treatment outcomes
Possible approaches to treatment
Estimated cost of treatment
Availability of health fund rebates
Work cover eligibility
Professional status of practitioner
Availability of home visits
After hours service
Provision for hospital visits

Appropriate information may include:
Confirmation of appointment date and time
Clinic location and directions
Cost of initial consultation
Payment options

Clinic's guidelines may include:
Procedures and guidelines
Purpose or mission statement
Code of ethics or practice
Level of competency and degree of supervision
Partnership/group decisions and agreed practice

Legal and regulatory guidelines may include:
OHS guidelines
Anti-discrimination legislation
Privacy Act
Infection control

Relevant documentation may include:
Nature of enquiry
Client/patient contact details
Recording of incidents
Appointment details

Critical aspects of assessment:
Ability to work or model work which demonstrates an understanding of underpinning values and philosophies in the massage framework
Knowledge of the philosophies, principles and tools of massage practice
Knowledge of a range of alternative and complementary therapies
Demonstrated ability to correctly identify client/patient information needs
Demonstrated ability to provide client/patient with required information
Demonstrated ability to appropriately record details of client/patient enquiries according to clinic guidelines
Demonstrated ability to explain relevant products and services
Demonstrated communication skills in a one-to-one and group setting

Concurrent assessment and relationship with other units:
Work effectively in the health industry

Underpinning knowledge and skills:
Knowledge of philosophical tradition of western and eastern body therapies
Knowledge of the history and development of massage
Knowledge of the effects of massage on the body surface
Knowledge of sociology of health and the health care system
Knowledge of ethical issues in body therapies
Knowledge of OHS requirements in the workplace
Knowledge of the rationalistic, analytical approach to an understanding of disease
Knowledge of the qualitative, quantitative, cultural and traditional lines of evidence used in massage
Ability to communicate in group and one-on-one settings

Resource implications:
Resource requirements may include:
Relevant texts or medical manuals
Relevant paper based/video assessment instruments
Appropriate assessment environment
Skilled assessors

Method of assessment:
Assessment may include:
Short tests and essays
Oral questioning and discussion

Context of assessment:
This unit can be assessed in the workplace, classroom or in a simulated workplace under the normal range of work conditions. Assessment may contain both theoretical and practical components and examples covering a range of clinical situations.