Current through all regulations passed and filed through September 16, 2024
(A) Massage therapy is the treatment of
disorders of the human body by the manipulation of soft tissue through the
systematic external application of massage techniques including touch,
stroking, friction, vibration, percussion, kneading, stretching, compression,
and joint movements within the normal physiologic range of motion; and
adjunctive thereto, the external application of water, heat, cold, topical
preparations, and mechanical devices.
(B) A massage therapist shall not diagnose a
patient's condition. A massage therapist shall evaluate whether the application
of massage therapy is advisable. A massage therapist may provide information or
education consistent with that evaluation, including referral to an appropriate
licensed health care professional, provided that any form of treatment advised
by a massage therapist falls within the scope of practice of, and relates
directly to a condition that is amenable to treatment by, a massage therapist.
In determining whether the application of massage therapy is advisable, a
massage therapist shall be limited to taking a written or verbal inquiry,
visual inspection including observation of range of motion, touch, and the
taking of a pulse, temperature and blood pressure.
(C) No person shall use the words or letters
"massage therapist," "licensed massage therapist," "L.M.T." or any other
letters, words, abbreviations, or insignia, indicating or implying that the
person is a licensed massage therapist without a valid license under Chapter
4731. of the Revised Code.
(D) A
massage therapist may perform the following services in compliance with the
following:
(1) A massage therapist may treat
temporomandibular joint dysfunction provided that the patient has been directly
referred in writing for such treatment to the massage therapist by a physician
currently licensed pursuant to Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code, by a
chiropractor currently licensed pursuant to Chapter 4734. of the Revised Code,
or a dentist currently licensed pursuant to Chapter 4715. of the Revised
Code.
(2) A massage therapist may
apply ultrasound, diathermy, electrical neuromuscular stimulation, or
substantially similar modalities provided that the patient has been directly
referred in writing for such treatment to the massage
therapist by a physician or podiatric physician licensed under Chapter 4731. of
the Revised Code, physician assistant licensed under Chapter 4730. of the
Revised Code, chiropractor licensed under Chapter 4734. of the Revised Code,
advanced practice registered nurse licensed under Chapter 4723. of the Revised
Code, or physical therapist licensed under Chapter 4755. of the Revised Code,
who is acting within the scope of their professional license.
(a) The massage therapist must perform the
modality within the minimal standards of care.
(b) If the food and drug administration
classifies the device as a prescription device, as that term is defined in
21 CFR
801.109 amended as of June 15, 2016, or a
restricted device that can only be sold, distributed, or used upon the order of
an authorized healthcare provider, the massage therapist's application of the
device must be done under the on-site supervision of the referring
practitioner.
(c) If the food and
drug administration classifies the device as an over-the-counter device, the
massage therapist may apply the device without the on-site supervision of the
referring practitioner.
(E) All persons who hold a
license to practice massage therapy issued pursuant to
section 4731.17 of the Revised Code
shall prominently display that license in
the office or place where a major portion of the license
holder's practice is conducted. If a license
holder does not have a primary practice location, the
license holder shall at all times when practicing keep
either the wall certificate on the holder's person or provide verification of
licensure status from the board's internet web site upon request.
(F)
Massage therapy does not include:
(1) Colonic
irrigation;
(2) The practice of
chiropractic, including the application of a high velocity-low amplitude
thrusting force to any articulation of the human body;
(3) The use of graded force applied across
specific joint surfaces for the purpose of breaking capsular
adhesions;
(4) The prescription of
therapeutic exercise for the purpose of rehabilitation or remediation of a
disorder of the human body;
(5) The
treatment of infectious, contagious or venereal diseases;
(6) The prescription, dispensing, personally
furnishing or administration of drugs; and
(7) The performance of surgery or practice of
medicine in any other form.
(G) As used within this rule:
(1) "External" does not prohibit a massage
therapist from performing massage therapy inside the mouth or oral cavity;
and
(2) "Mechanical devices" means
any tool or device which mimics or enhances the actions possible by the hands
that is within the scope of practice as defined in section
4731.04 of the Revised Code and
this rule.
