The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:
legal and ethical considerations (national and state/territory) for client assessment:
codes of conduct
duty of care
informed consent
mandatory reporting
practitioner/client boundaries
privacy, confidentiality and disclosure
records management
work role boundaries:
working within scope of practice
presenting symptoms that require referral to a medical practitioner
work health and safety
referral options for practitioners:
professional health services including complementary health modalities
community resources and support services
types and availability of further medical testing
factors and barriers that may impact on assessment, including:
physical
psychological
cultural
factors that affect individual health status, including:
age
gender
constitution
lifestyle
diet
personal and medical history
values and attitudes
balance of rest and activity
physical environment
social environment
client information required for remedial massage assessment and the scope and depth of information needed around:
client expectations
client history and its components
client current state of health
signs and symptoms
onset
duration
location
quality and severity
non-verbal
protocols for performing physical massage assessments:
environment
equipment
client privacy
client instructions
remedial massage diagnostic techniques, how and when they are used:
discussion
muscle strength and length tests
observation, including variations of posture
orthopaedic tests
palpation of prominent bones/structure and phasic and postural muscles
ROM tests
temperature
contraindications to treatment and possible indications for referral:
weak bone/joint instability
neurological dysfunction
vascular disorders
lack of working diagnosis
pain of excessive nature or abnormal responses to treatment
patient non-compliance
anatomy:
body systems relevant to massage assessment
muscular physiology
nervous system, including myotomes, peripheral nerves, nerve impingements (both root and peripheral)
integumentary
skeletal
muscles – major muscle actions including individual actions, planes and synergistic groups:
temporalis
masseter
frontalis
pterygoids
longus colli
digastric
rectus capitis posterior
obliquus capitis superior
obliquus capitis inferior
splenius capitis
splenius cervicis
semi-spinalis capitis
scalenes
sternocleidomastoid
trapezius
levator scapulae
latissimus dorsi
supraspinatus
infraspinatus
teres major
teres minor
subscapularis
rhomboids
pectoralis major
pectoralis minor
serratus anterior
intercostals
serratus posterior superior
rectus abdominis
quadratus lumborum
psoas
transverse abdominis
internal/external obliques
erector spinae
semispinalis
multifidus
rotatores
gluteus maximus
gluteus medius
gluteus minimus
piriformis
gemellus superior/inferior
obturator internus and externus
quadratus femoris
quadriceps
sartorius
gracillis
pectineus
tibialis anterior
tibialis posterior
peroneals
flexor digitorum longus
flexor hallucis longus
hamstrings
adductor magnus
adductor longus
popliteus
gastrocnemius
soleus
extensor digitorum longus
extensor hallucis longus
deltoid
biceps brachii
triceps brachii
flexor carpi radialus
flexor carpi ulnaris
palmaris longus
pronator teres
brachioradialis
brachialis
extensor carpi radialis
supinator
anconeus
coracobrachialis
thenar muscle
skeleton:
bones of the body
major bony landmarks
surface anatomy and palpable bony landmarks
bone growth and remodelling
bony landmarks pertaining to muscles
joints:
joint classifications – fibrous, cartilaginous, synovial (glide, plane, ball/socket, saddle, hinge, condyloid, pivot)
joint actions
detailed joint anatomy for each major joint (shoulder, hip, sacroiliac, knee, ankle/foot, wrist, elbow, acromioclavicular, sternoclavicular, costal, spine, atlanto-occipital, temporomandibular)
accessory/secondary/coupled motions of joints
capsular restrictions and patterns
physiology:
soft tissue:
muscle contraction
muscle physiology (reflexes, chemistry, proprioceptors)
tendons and ligaments
fascia
hard tissue:
bone growth and development
abnormal bone growth
conditions commonly seen by massage therapists, including:
neck, back pain and headache
muscle, connective tissue and joint pain
arthritis
repetitive strain injuries and occupational overuse syndromes
postural problems
sports and activity related conditions
stress, anxiety and other mood related problems
treatment planning techniques and considerations
Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace or in a clinical environment that reflects workplace conditions. The following conditions must be met for this unit:
use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including:
health assessment/client consultation forms
private consultation area
adjustable height massage table
towels/sheets for draping
oils/balms
hot/cold packs
bolsters
modelling of industry operating conditions, including provision of services to the general public
clinic supervision by a person who meets the assessor requirements outlined below for at least 150 of the 200 hours of client consultation work
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
In addition, assessors must:
have current clinical experience working as a massage therapist providing services to the general public
hold practising membership of an Australian professional body that represents massage therapists
fulfil the continuing professional development requirements of the professional body to which they belong