Pennsylvania Code
Title 49 - PROFESSIONAL AND VOCATIONAL STANDARDS
Part I - DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Subpart A - PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL AFFAIRS
Chapter 20 - STATE BOARD OF MASSAGE THERAPY
EDUCATION
Section 20.13 - Required knowledge base
Universal Citation: 49 PA Code ยง 20.13
Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 44, November 2, 2024
(a) Massage therapy education must provide students with knowledge of the following:
(1)
Massage and bodywork assessment and application.
(2) Contraindications and precautions for
massage therapy.
(3) Anatomy and
physiology.
(4)
Kinesiology.
(5)
Pathology.
(6) Pennsylvania legal
requirements.
(7) Business
practices.
(8) Professional
ethics.
(9) CPR resulting in a
Board-approved certification.
(10)
Communicable diseases and universal precautions.
(11) Power differentials and other
therapeutic boundary issues as they relate to client interaction.
(12) Fundamentals of human behavior and
respect for clients in the practice of massage therapy.
(b) Massage therapy education must provide students with the practical skills to:
(1)
Administer fundamental massage therapy for the treatment of soft tissue
manifestations of the human body.
(2) Safely utilize topical preparations,
thermal and cryogenic modalities, hydrotherapy and movements that lengthen and
shorten soft tissues within the client's normal range of motion.
(3) Maintain safe and effective body
mechanics in the application of massage therapy.
(4) Locate and palpate muscle attachments,
muscle bellies and other anatomical landmarks necessary for the practice of
massage therapy.
(5) Use
draping/coverage practices that address both function and safety.
(c) Massage therapy education must provide students with additional skills in the following areas:
(1) Development, implementation and
modification of a massage therapy treatment plan that addresses client soft
tissue manifestations, needs and concerns, including identifying indications,
contraindications and precautions of massage therapy within the scope of the
act.
(2) Obtaining informed consent
regarding the risks and benefits of the massage therapy treatment plan and
application and modification of the massage therapy treatment plan as
needed.
(3) Using effective
interpersonal communication in the professional relationship.
(4) Utilizing an ethical decision making
process that conforms to the ethical standards of the profession, as set forth
in this chapter and in the codes of ethics of massage therapy professional
associations.
(5) Establishing and
maintaining a practice environment that provides for the client's safety and
comfort.
(6) Establishing and
maintaining client records, professional records and business records in
compliance with §
20.42(a)(19)
(relating to standards of professional conduct).
This section cited in 49 Pa. Code § 20.11 (relating to minimum hour requirements for massage therapy programs).
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Pennsylvania may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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