Back to Annual Meeting

Back to Annual Meeting

Abstract #157074

Donna M. Feeley, MPH, RN, Chair of the Board, National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork, 2351 Dunford Drive, Falls Church, VA 22043, 703-205-9199, dfeeley@jhsph.edu

Massage and Bodywork Therapies are increasingly gaining greater acceptance in the health care industry and the complementary and alternative health care market. As more people participate in receiving these services, there is an increased need for public health professionals to become more aware of the value and role of national certification and the legislative requirements of their states. This presentation will provide an overview of the national certification program and its importance and relevance to the public health community. It will also address the need for greater recognition and awareness of the credential across the health care market, especially within the complementary, alternative and integrative health care arena. Educational requirements, standards and scope of practice of therapeutic massage and bodywork will be addressed as well as the status of certification and licensure in the United States. Presenters will identify trends in the complementary and alternative health care practice arena that may affect the future roles of national certification and its implications for the public health community.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify how therapeutic massage and bodywork is an integral component of public health as a complementary and health care practice
• Describe the benefits that nationally certified massage and bodywork therapist bring to the field of public health
• Describe the current status of massage and bodywork certification and licensure in the United States 4.Recognize why national certification assists in protecting both the public and practitioners
• Describe the key issues the field of massage and bodywork are facing

Keywords: Therapies, Certification

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.