Foundations of Massage Therapy: Assessment Tasks and Case Studies

This assignment on the foundations of massage therapy covers a comprehensive range of topics, including the philosophies and principles of massage, different massage techniques (such as Swedish, deep tissue, and myofascial release), and the role of massage therapists. It addresses key concepts like the importance of blood circulation, the differences between relaxation and remedial massage, and the special needs of various client groups (pregnant women, elderly individuals, and those with cultural considerations). The assignment also delves into effective communication, motivational interviewing techniques, professional integrity, and legal and ethical considerations, including client consent and handling inappropriate behavior during consultations. Furthermore, the assignment includes reflection on the learning process and case studies that apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios. This work is a valuable resource for students studying massage therapy and related fields.

Foundations of
Massage Therapy

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Assessment Task 1 : Written Questions......................................................................................1
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Assessment Task 2 : Reflection.......................................................................................................4
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Assessment Task 3 : Case Study Reports........................................................................................7
Part A..........................................................................................................................................7
Case study scenario 1..................................................................................................................7
Case study scenario 2..................................................................................................................8
Case study scenario 3..................................................................................................................9
Part B...............................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

Assessment Task 1 : Written Questions
1.
The philosophies of massage include all the techniques and therapies that throws an impact on the muscular, lymphatic,
nervous and other systems of the body. These can also be ensured to have an influence that helps in healing the body. The
basic medium for initiating the process of massage is touch (Deng, 2017). They can be used for interpretation of health issues
because different therapies can be used for healing the body, thus it provides an efficient sort of relaxation as well. Therefore,
it can help in different health issues as well.
2.
The term, massage is an old term and is being widely used in ancient times as well. Because of the medical benefits associated
with it, its importance kept rising day by day. There are various written records also that were found on massage and these
were found from Egypt and China for the first time. By the touch, which is the basic medium of providing massage, one can
experience their body healed in a way that they can feel relaxed enough. Whether it is their mind or the body, massage helps in
relaxing both.
3.
Key principles and practices of massage includes circulation of blood, excluding of toxins, enhancement of different
body systems and functions. Also, along with these, massage helps in releasing the stress out of the body because it provides a
sort of relaxation. An effective circulation of blood is another important principle of massage because it helps in maintaining a
healthy bodily status of the person. It relaxes mind in a way so that this can have a positive impact on body as well.
4.
Major methods of treatment by massage practitioner includes deep tissue massage, Swedish, kneading, myo fascial
releasing etc. Every single technique has some specialised feature. As in case of myo fascial release, the basic aim is to balance
the bodily functions. Therefore, in this, stretching of fascia is being done. Another well known example is trigger point therapy

in which pressure is given to a particular tissue in order to remove the pain. So, it focuses on the trigger points and then
pressurize them so that pain can be relieved.
5.
Complementary medicines are considered as practices like acupuncture, massage, aromatherapy and reflexology. The
whole field of complementary medicines is wide enough and involves various smaller processes. There are various changes as
well that are requested in the same such as about diet, exercises etc. Australian government has meant some principles as in
every complementary medicine, there is no use of any needle etc. By means of aroma oil, hands etc., these are being used, but
throws much positive influence on improving conditions and bodily functions of the individual.
6.
Chiropractic
Osteopathy is considered as a system of medicines that helps in providing preventive and treatment measures for
different medical disorders. It is being done by massage of musculature. So, with the help of a chiropractic, the pain and
related issues can be analysed.
a) A chiropractic helps in analysing the issue of back pain and issues that are associated with the musculoskeletal system. So, it
provides proper therapies for massage etc.
b) When compared to massage therapy, a chiropractic makes involvement of specialised therapies that can help in providing a
sort of relief and ease to the patient.
c) While complementing massage therapy, a chiropractic ensures to treat the whole spine and complete muskoskeletal system.
Therefore, it can help in relieving bones, ligaments and other internal factors as well.
Physiotherapy

a) Essential qualities of a physiotherapist is that they deal with multidisciplinary team so that they can provide a more
appropriate solution. They are known for providing efficient outcomes for the patient. The care, diagnosis they provide is quite
different from that of nurses, practitioners etc.
b). They differ in their approaches because they involve a wide and better range of medicines and services that can provide
better range of help to the patient. They are not considered as doctors, practitioners etc., but a range of people that involves a
variety of factors that can act more effective and appropriate than that of basic functions.
c). In complementing massage therapy, they are more accessible and involves a wide range of products as well that can seem
more rich and smooth on the ligaments and bones of the person.
7.
Complementary therapies are considered as conventional treatments that can help in making the person feel better.
Allopathic medicines are also considered as medicines involving pharmacologically active agents that can help in reducing the
level of symptoms, thus providing the patient, an optimum level of treatment.
8.
There exists a vital difference among relaxation massage and remedial massage where a relaxation massage is to assist
in distressing oneself after getting tired due to hard work for continual days or weeks. It is absolutely pain less and comprises
with treatments named as flowing strokes, gentle manipulations at a selected pressure to loosen up the body and kneading, etc.
A remedial massage on other hand is usually being done to treat some sort of muscle strain or a chronic pain with conditions of
stiffed neck, headaches and injury from sports, etc. Massage therapist with specific knowledge in a particularly chosen field
are some possible job opportunities in both and are directly related to one other.

9.
As a massage therapist, it is important to correctly greet the client and assess his or her factual requirements. This in turn
demands for proper skills of communication to interact well, as a professional therapist. This together consists of a procedural
approach, as stated below-
Showing recognition to the clients approached for a massage treatment.
Asking them about any of their previous experience (Lindquist, Tracy and Snyder, 2018).
Asking about the weather and any temperature related concerns to ensure setting an appropriate
environment.
Compliment suitably, if and when required to make them feel good about it.
Using a piece of discussion to help them to get comfortable.
10.
There exist some special needs of clients while approaching a massage treatment, as defined below in accordance to their
category-
1. Pregnant women- Pregnant women are required to be more cautious while getting a massage. This is basically to avoid
getting a deep tissue massage for having double volume of blood in their body. Also, they must be positioned in a very safe
and secured position while getting massage. This needs to avoid sleeping at back and instead lie down into a side position with
pillows for support.

2. Elderly people- This is basically to handle the ageing body; a special massage therapy has been designed for providing the
massage treatment to the elderly population (De Alencar, 2016). This is known as Geriatric massage and has different
techniques that are used to enhance the overall well-being of the old aged clients.
3. People concerned about the cultural norms- This is on considering the special needs of those who are approaching to get a
massage based on some cultural traditions such as Korean, Indian, Chinese, etc. Each of these massages consists of different
techniques and are apparent to fulfil distinct requirements of the client approaching for the same.
11.
a) Effective communication is considered as one of the important aspects because if there will be an efficient interaction
between two people, then the discussion of ideas and issues can be done more easily and there will be fewer chances of any
mis understanding etc. Motivational interviewing is considered as a way in which the insecurities and inner issues of a person
are being solved so that it can lead to an increased internal motivation of the individual.
b) Three motivational interviewing techniques that can help in encouraging the client to voice concerns and queries involves
avoiding arguments, adjusting in some situations and expressing some sort of empathy. These are considered effective enough
because sometimes, it is important to avoid arguments so that the conversation can be maintained. Also, it is not important to
oppose the other party every time, so one can also cooperate with the other as well. This can even make the process better and
smooth.
12.
If considered physically, a massage therapist should ensure that they touch the client there only where they should be.
They should understand what could make the client uncomfortable. So, they should avoid the same. Psychologically, they can
start an interesting conversation with the client so that they can feel relaxed enough. Culturally, the massage centre should

ensure not to speak any thing that can hurt their sentiments or cultural identities. Ensuring all these can help in managing a
balance between different operations within a massage centre.
13.
The practitioner may focus on the way they are speaking with children and other ones. It is because along with
speaking, listening is equally important (Lindquist, Tracy and Snyder., 2018). They can also focus on getting involved in
conferences etc. because they will get aware of a proper way to speak and for having an efficient rate of interaction.
14
Professional integrity is considered as a fundamental ethic or value that ensures the honesty of an individual. This is a
very essential skill that helps in maintaining a balance between different operations. Also, this helps in attracting the attention
of various people in the management as well. It can be easily maintained by keeping an efficient level of honesty and trust in
every aspect because this can help the individual in a longer run.
15.
It is very important to bring the consent of client because it helps in staying prevented from any sort of further
complication. Therefore, it is very important to clear all the factors in beginning only so that afterwards, client cannot raise the
fact that their consent has not been taken before because such case can cause complications. So, for avoiding these, it is
essential to take the consent of clients.

16.
Payment Options
 Cash on delivery
 By credit card
 BY debit card
 By Master card
Welcome to Janelle Renee Mind
Body Wellness.
The appointment details are as
under :
Males : 8:00 a.m - 12 a.m.
Females : 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Consultancy guidance -
Monday -Thursday -> 2 -3 p.m Credentials
The customer’s information will be
recorded with center.
Overview
Mind Body Wellness

16.
 The clients will be asked
about the preference.
Whatever they choose, they
can be provided with every
single essential required for
the massage therapy.
 The customers do not have
to carry anything.
 Everything will be available
by the center only.
Service
Information
Mind Body Wellness
.

17.
During a massage consultation, various different types of behaviours can be observed and it can be challenging as well. If the
authority does not assist female for female clients, then it can act quite challenging (Bervoets, Luijsterburg and et.al., 2015). Also, if
they raise some topic that is actually inappropriate, then also, it can make the person comfortable, thus the situation quite challenging.
Also, if the consultant touches inappropriately in order to guide about the techniques etc., that can also act as a challenging situation.
18
If in case, the consultant touches inappropriate, then one can raise their voice or hands over them. Also, one can shout loudly in
order to save themselves from the specific person. If on request as well, they will provide a male therapist instead of a female one,
then also, one can ensure that there is something actually wrong with it, so they should not continue with the functioning and
activities. So, these factors should be considered well before consulting a massage therapist or consultation.
19
19 a:
There are legal consequences associated with different breaches and for every single factor, government of Australia has initiated
some laws that can take the guilty to prison or punishments
Age
Consequences of age discrimination may include the cancellation of employment of the person from specific organization. As
per Australian standards, there is a penalty of $63,000 if it is found that someone has been found discriminating with age.
Disability