Do people seeking massage see themselves as a patient or client and which term is appropriate for massage therapists to use? While massage therapists are not physicians, the profession itself is one of the oldest healthcare practices in human history. Hippocrates, the father of western medicine stated, “The physician must be experienced in many things, but most assuredly in rubbing, for rubbing can bind a joint that is too loose and loosen a joint that is bound.” With that said, let’s open the dictionary.
A Client refers to a person who pays for any goods or services.
A Patient is a person who receives medical care or treatment.
What is massage? A service or a medical treatment? The answer depends on who is providing the massage...
Massage as a Medical Treatment
Massage therapy, by the Ohio Scope of Practice, is defined as the “treatment of disorders of the human body by the manipulation of soft tissue through the systematic external application of massage techniques…and joint movements within the normal physiologic range of motion…” Massage Therapy is provided by a licensed massage therapist (LMT) and regulated by the State Medical Board of Ohio. High quality research has supported the effectiveness of massage as a medical treatment for common and chronic problems such as knee osteoarthritis.
Massage as a Service
As a service, massage is promoted as a relaxing luxury and pampering experience. While it may be administered by a licensed therapist, it can be provided by anyone as long as the term “therapy” is not used. In this setting, your health history is of minor concern and the massage is a service you can buy from anyone rather than a preventative treatment provided by a skilled practitioner.
Conclusion
The answer to whether MedMassage Therapists provide care to patients or to clients is clear. Our therapists must complete a minimum of three years of clinical experience before they are entrusted by us to perform the results-based massage therapy we know you expect to receive.
– Anthony Santo Domingo, LMT
