Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare for and provide therapeutic Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) massage treatments based on the outcomes of an existing health assessment and treatment plan.
This unit applies to TCM remedial massage therapists.
The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements define the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element |
1. Prepare client for treatment | 1.1 Interpret treatment plan and clearly outline how the treatment will be provided and managed 1.2 Explain factors which may interfere with the effectiveness of the treatment 1.3 Inform the client of possible physical or emotional reactions during and following a session and the appropriate course of action to take 1.4 Follow established protocols to physically prepare the client for treatment 1.5 Confirm client consent for treatment |
2. Apply therapeutic techniques | 2.1 Determine treatment sequence, location and degree of pressure according to assessment indications and treatment plan 2.2 Apply TCM remedial massage techniques protocol 2.3 Use the condition and response of the client as a continual feedback to the initial assessment 2.4 Position client to optimise their comfort and support while allowing for optimum application of techniques 2.5 Maintain appropriate therapist postures that ensure a controlled distribution of body weight 2.6 Maintain client-focused attention throughout the treatment session 2.7 Recognise reactions to treatment and respond promptly |
3. Provide advice and resources for the client | 3.1 Educate client in relevant and practical techniques that support the treatment plan 3.2 Answer client queries with clarity, using language the client understands 3.3 Use honesty and integrity when explaining treatment plans, schedules and recommendations to the client 3.4 Promote client independence and responsibility in treatment 3.5 Discuss and agree on evaluation strategies 3.6 Accurately document treatment provided and details of client communications |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that the candidate has:
performed the activities outlined in the performance criteria of this unit during a period of at least 200 hours of TCM remedial massage client consultation work
prepared for and managed at least 100 different TCM remedial massage treatment sessions - clients must include males and females from different stages of life with varied presentations
used all of the following essential manual techniques according to the TCM remedial massage framework:
press (an fa)
rub (mo fa)
push (tui fa)
grasp (na fa)
acupressure (dian xue fa)
pinch (nie fa)
roll (gun fa)
knead (rou fa)
separate (bo fa)
twist (cuo fa)
vibrate (zhen fa)
shake (dou fa)
percussion (kou fa)
circumduct (yao fa)
stretch (bashen fa)
applied the following essential methods according to client needs:
cupping (ba guan)
skin Scraping (gua sha)
moxibustion (ai jiu)
Evidence of Knowledge
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
working role boundaries
working within scope of practice
presenting symptoms that require referral to a medical practitioner
work health and safety (WHS)
location of acupressure points on the 12 primary meridians, ren mai and du mai
TCM remedial massage techniques/methods and how to apply them, including what each technique does, what effects it might have and what the cautions and contraindications are, for the following:
press (an fa)
rub (mo fa)
push (tui fa)
grasp (na fa)
acupressure (dian xue fa)
pinch (nie fa)
roll (gun fa)
knead (rou fa)
separate (bo fa)
twist (cuo fa)
vibrate (zhen fa)
shake (dou fa)
percussion (kou fa)
circumduct (yao fa)
stretch (bashen fa)
contraindications to treatment:
the client who has excessive agitation, violent rage or deep sorrow conditions
the client who is extremely hungry
the client who has infectious and inflammatory diseases
the client who has circulatory condition which could result haemorrhaging
at client's bone fracture site
at client's skin area with eczema or tinea conditions
at a client's bleeding area
at a client's lumps and tissue change site
heavy manipulation/pressure to the client's abdomen and lumbosacral area during pregnancy or menstruation
heavy manipulation/pressure for a client who is old, young and frail
potential reactions during treatment and how to respond:
syncope
excessive sweating
discomfort
emotional reactions
muscular spasms
body temperature discomfort
potential reactions following treatment and appropriate client advice:
exacerbation of pain
muscle sensitivity
sleepiness
types of advice and resources that can be provided to clients for their use outside the clinical environment
diet
exercise
lifestyle
documentation requirements for recording treatment details
common disease states and functional problems of each body system
fundamental principles of biomechanics
major endangerment sites and therapist responsibility and limitations - areas where nerves and blood vessels lie close to the skin and are not well protected, including:
anterior triangle of the neck
posterior triangle of the neck
anterior throat
axillary area
twelfth rib dorsal body
inguinal triangle
umbilicus area
essential methods:
cupping (ba guan)
skin Scraping (gua sha)
moxibustion (ai jiu)
Assessment Conditions
Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace or in a simulated clinical environment that reflects workplace conditions. The following conditions must be met for this unit:
use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including:
client information – case history, treatment plan
private consultation area
massage table
massage towels
massage oils
cups
gua sha facilities
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 120 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 at least 3 years current clinical experience working as a TCM remedial massage therapist providing services to the general public
hold practising membership of an Australian professional body that represents TCM remedial massage therapists
fulfil the continuing professional development requirements of the professional body to which they belong
Foundation Skills
The Foundation Skills describe those required skills (language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills) that are essential to performance. |
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency. |