Scope of Practice, Prohibited Practices, and Ethics
Scope of practice
Massage therapy is the treatment of soft tissues by manipulation or pressure for relaxation or therapeutic purposes. Within scope are massage assessment for planning, application of massage techniques, client education within the therapist’s training, and referral. Outside scope are medical diagnosis, prescribing or dispensing drugs, invasive procedures, chiropractic adjustment, physical therapy requiring a license, and other regulated health services unless separately licensed. “Therapeutic” does not mean the therapist may practice medicine.
Prohibited practices and ethics
Prohibited conduct includes sexual misconduct, inappropriate draping or exposure, practicing under the influence, false or misleading advertising, unlicensed practice, aiding unlicensed practice, and violating client confidentiality or boundaries. Informed consent, clear communication, proper draping, and professional boundaries are core ethical duties. A client’s request does not authorize prohibited conduct.
Traps
Questions often use a client request to tempt a scope violation. A request for diagnosis, a prescription, or an invasive treatment must be declined and referred. Do not assume a technique is allowed just because it is popular or because another provider uses it. Do not confuse “relaxation” with “no standards”; sanitation, consent, and boundaries still apply.
Worked example
A client asks the therapist to diagnose a shoulder injury and recommend a prescription painkiller. The therapist may discuss massage findings in general terms, provide massage within scope, and refer to a physician, but may not diagnose or recommend prescription drugs.
Rule of thumb: if an act requires medical diagnosis, prescription, or invasive authority, it is outside massage scope; refer, do not improvise.