Massage Therapist - Tasks and specialisations
Kaihaumanu Mirimiri
Tasks & duties
Massage therapists may do some or all of the following:
- take a case history of the client
- conduct a physical assessment of the client
- talk to clients about their problems and establish whether massage therapy can help them
- decide on the form of massage to use
- prepare and blend oils or waxes for the massage
- apply an oil or wax blend to the skin
- massage and knead muscles and soft tissue
- discuss why the client has stress or pain
- advise on exercise, relaxation and stretching techniques, and lifestyle needs
- refer clients to other types of therapists.
Massage therapists need to make informed decisions about the type of massage they will give a patient
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Massage therapists knead patients' muscles and soft tissue
Specialisations
Massage therapists may specialise in a particular massage style such as:
- Swedish massage
- shiatsu
- lymphatic drainage
- ayurvedic massage
- reiki
- reflexology
- aromatherapy
- on-site chair massage
- pregnancy massage
- stone massage
- sports therapy massage.
Updated
September 2009
