MM Chapter 06: Ethics and the Law

Ethical Principle: The NCBTMB states, “Respect the client’s boundaries with regard to privacy, disclosure, exposure, emotional expression, beliefs, and the client’s reasonable expectations of professional behavior. Practitioners will respect the client’s autonomy.” Standard of Practice: Massage therapists must respect the dignity and rights of all people by providing a clean, safe, and comfortable environment, following […]

Ethical Principle: The Code of Ethics for the AMTA states that massage therapists will “accept responsibility to do no harm to the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of self, clients, and associates.” Standard of Practice: A therapist will provide massage therapy only when there is a reasonable expectation that it will be advantageous to the

Ethical Principle: The NCBTMB Code of Ethics states, “Acknowledge the limitations of and contraindications for massage and bodywork, and refer clients to appropriate health professionals.” NCBTMB also states that therapists must “Accurately inform clients, other health care practitioners, and the public of the scope and limitations of their discipline.” Standard of Practice: Therapists must fully

Ethical Principle: The ABMP code of ethics states, “I shall practice honesty in advertising, promote my services ethically and in good taste, and practice and/or advertise only those techniques for which I have received adequate training and/or certification.” Standard of Practice: Therapists will only provide services for which they are fully trained and hold appropriate

Ethical Principle: The Code of Ethics for the NCBTMB states that therapists will “refuse to unjustly discriminate against clients or health professionals.” The AMTA states, “Acknowledge the inherent worth and individuality of each person by not discriminating or behaving in any prejudicial manner with clients and/or colleagues.”   Standard of Practice: Treat all clients and other

Ethical Principle: The Code of ethics for ABMP states, “I shall endeavor to serve the best interests of my clients at all times and to provide the highest quality service possible.” Standard of Practice: The therapist must be attentive and responsive to the client’s needs in all interactions in regard to the therapeutic relationship (discussed

In all massage practices, situations will arise that challenge therapists’ ideas and require that they make a difficult decision. As discussed in the previous sections, people’s values and character traits play a role in their actions and choices (Fig. 6-3). Figure 6-3. Influence of character traits and values on decision making. A trained sensitivity to

Character traits are inherent attributes that influence how a person responds in a given situation; they are closely interwoven with values. Plato described good character traits as wisdom, courage, moderation, justice, fortitude, generosity, self-respect, good humor, and sincerity. Four of these traits (wisdom, courage, moderation, and justice) were deemed the most important traits and hailed