Foundation of Ethics 

​

Professionalism is more than just being formal or distant. It is an educated way of being kind and maintaining clear, respectful boundaries with clients. According to Webster’s Dictionary, a profession is “a calling requiring specialized knowledge, usually obtained by academic preparation.” In massage therapy, this specialized knowledge is in the manipulation of soft tissue for the purpose of maintaining good health and well-being.

 

Two key concepts that distinguish professionals are accountability and liability:

• Accountability means being responsible for your actions and decisions.

• Liability refers to the legal responsibility to pay for any damages that result from your professional conduct.​​​​​​​​

 

In massage therapy, this can involve professional liability insurance to cover potential claims of malpractice. Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics While state boards and legislation regulate the legal practice of massage therapy, a professional organization is essential for systematic, uniform, and national self-governance.

 

In the field of massage therapy, several such organizations exist. The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) serves as a national advocate; however, each state has its own specific laws and regulations that must be followed first. The primary role of these professional organizations is to certify the competency of their members, ensuring public protection.

 

In massage therapy, a Standard of Practice is a set of guidelines that outlines acceptable behavior and performance for therapists.

It serves to:

• Educate new practitioners about the profession’s expectations.

• Inform the public and regulatory agencies about what to expect from a massage therapist.

 

Alongside the Standards of Practice, a Code of Ethics is a formal set of rules that governs professional conduct. It defines what is right and wrong within the profession and provides guidance on how therapists should interact with clients, fellow practitioners, and society.

 

At the end of this course, you will find a copy of both the NCBTMB’s Standards of Practice and the Code of Ethics for your reference.

​

​​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

The relationship between a profession and the public is built on a contract where the public expects reliable and trusted services, while professionals gain the authority to practice their skills. All professionals, particularly those in the healing arts, have an ethical and legal obligation to avoid causing harm to their clients; this is the foremost principle.

 

In massage therapy, our core practice is defined as “the systematic therapeutic manipulation of the body’s soft tissues by a specially trained therapist.”