Massage
Therapy has been licensed as a medical profession in the state of
Ohio since 1916, remaining unchanged until 1975,
with additional changes in 1992.
The Scope of Practice for massage therapists was changed to its current
form in 2004. Following is the Scope of Practice as it currently is
written into Ohio law.
NEW
SCOPE OF PRACTICE: MASSAGE THERAPY, 2004
(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 appliction 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 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.
(E)
All persons who hold a certificate to practice massage therapy issued
pursuant to section 4731.17 of the Revised Code shall prominently
display that certificate in the office or place where a major portion
of the certificate holder's practice is conducted. If a certificate
holder does not have a primary practice location, the certificate
holder shall at all times when practicing keep the wallet certificate
on the holder's person.
(F)
Massage therapy does not include:
- The
application of ultrasound, diathermy, and electrical neuromuscular
stimulation or substantially similar modalities;
- Colonic
irrigation;
- The
practice of chiropractic, including the application of a high velocity-low
amplitude thrusting force to any articulation of the human body;
- The
use of graded force applied across specific joint surfaces for the
purpose of breaking capsular adhesions;
- The
prescription of therapeutic exercise for the purpose of rehabilitation
or remediation of a disorder of the human body;
- The
treatment of infectious, contagious or veneral diseases
- The
prescribing or administering of drugs; and
- The
performing of surgery.
(G)
As used within this rule:
- "External"
does not prohibit a massage therapist from performing massage thearpy
inside the mouth or oral cavity; and
- "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 4731.17 of the Revised Code and this rule.
