Back to Annual Meeting

Back to Annual Meeting

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Karen Boulanger, MS, LMT, University of Iowa, 30 Hillcrest Avenue, Davenport, IA 52803, 5633240903, kboulanger@aol.com

The research objective was to explore the interactions of massage therapists (MTs) and their clients in order to identify variables that may potentially impact clients' health outcomes. Specifically, guiding questions were: 1. What are the top three common topics of conversation among MTs and their clients? 2. How much of their time together is spent talking? 3. From the MTs'/clients' point of view, what are the elements of the best massage ever given or received? 4. What are the common components in a massage therapy encounter? 5. From the MTs' point of view, what characteristics about their clients and their relationship with their clients do they identify as affecting their clients' outcomes? Because this project was exploratory in nature, it involved three qualitative methods: free listing, a discussion group, and semi-structured interviews. The results suggest that MTs direct massage sessions and tailor their approach to meet the individual needs of their clients. Demonstrating confidence and sensitivity are traits of MTs that may facilitate good outcomes. Many MTs in this study provide their clients with self-care advice that offers them an opportunity to take an active role in their health. Actively sharing responsibility and having reasonable expectations regarding the results of massage therapy are traits of clients that may facilitate good outcomes. A variety of relationships seem to exist among MTs and their clients. Also, massage therapy seems to be a holistic treatment that affects not only muscles, but clients' mood and energy level as well.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Recognize how qualitative data collection methods have added to the contextual understanding of massage therapist-client interactions.
• To describe the common components of a massage therapy session.
• To identify variables that may potentially impact massage therapy clients’ health outcomes

Keywords: Alternative Medicine/Therapies,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered