Ethics

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The purpose of this group is to network and discuss ethics and massage therapy.

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Ethical dilemmas. What would you do?

Oct 7, 2009

I think it prudent we start some sort of discussion here.

What are the ramifications of asking a client, who is also a neurologist, for advice on another one of your clients who has nerve damage?

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Julie Onofrio

I wouldn't do it and think it is a very big conflict even if done out of the massage session. The neurologist is a client and deserves your undivided and full presence. Making the session or even later discussion about someone else is unprofessional. If you need advice on a client you should go to the clients doctor directly.

Julie
www.massage-career-guides.com

Dec 17, 2009
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Nate Ewert

Here is another one.

A client comes in and asks for a full body swedish. Everything is going great. When you get to their legs you notice they left their socks on. At that point you take off their socks so you can give them a foot massage as part of their full body session. Doesn't seem like that big of a deal, but what are you violating?

(this happened in the first massage I ever recieved, before even thinking of becoming a massage therapist.)

Dec 17, 2009
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lee kalpin

Before commencing a massage, I do an Informed Consent, which consists of telling the client about the massage, and what areas of the body I would like to treat. I give the client options, and ask for any questions, and whether or not they consent to this proposed treatment. If the client does not care to have the feet massaged, he could express it at that time and I would not touch the feet. If the client neglected to tell me in advance and I then found that the socks were on, I would ask if he wants to have his feet massaged and give him the option of massaging through the socks, or offer to take the socks off for him - or not to massage the feet at all.
A client has asked for a "full body" massage does not necessarily know what parts of the body that might entail. We should never take for granted, and should not remove clothing unless the client asks us to..

Nate Ewert said:
Here is another one.

A client comes in and asks for a full body swedish. Everything is going great. When you get to their legs you notice they left their socks on. At that point you take off their socks so you can give them a foot massage as part of their full body session. Doesn't seem like that big of a deal, but what are you violating?

(this happened in the first massage I ever recieved, before even thinking of becoming a massage therapist.)

Dec 23, 2009