Register Massage Therapists

Massage College Calls For Registration of therapists to protect the public

February 5, 2006

Massage therapists in New Zealand should be registered to protect the safety of the public, according to Ms Susan (Shay) Penman co-founder and director of one of the country’s leading massage therapy education providers, the New Zealand College of Massage.

Ms Penman has made the call for registration, similar to that in other health professions, following the recent release of an opinion by the Health and Disability Commissioner regarding a complaint of “inappropriate massage” on a client. The Commissioner found that the therapist involved had failed to comply with the appropriate standards for a professional masseur and had breached the Health and Disability Code.

The therapist had claimed to be a student at the NZCM at the time. In fact, he had completed only a small part at certificate level and the College had discontinued his training prior to the incident.

“If there had been a registration system in place, at least the client could have checked to see what level of qualification the therapist held and the registration body could have ensured he was a competent practitioner,” comments Ms Penman.

The College’s views on registration are endorsed by The Therapeutic Massage Association of New Zealand which has already initiated the process toward government regulation under the Health Practitioners Competency Assurance Act 2003.

TMANZ president Ms Frances Halligan says that people who want to make submissions should contact the association (www.tmanz.org.nz). Ms Penman adds that at the moment anyone can set up shop as a massage therapist and the public is vulnerable to a small minority of unprofessional people who are drawn to a profession that offers physical contact.

“As the leader in massage therapy education, we train our therapists to the highest standards of practice, including ethical standards. Our students understand appropriate massage and we teach techniques to protect both themselves and their clients,” she said.

Indeed, the Commissioner wrote in his opinion that, “The College where (the therapist) studies is very clear about the need to give clear instructions about which parts of the body will be massaged and to gain consent from all clients before commencing the massage.”

The only current form of registration for massage therapists in New Zealand is through voluntary membership of a massage association. Less than 50% of current therapists are registered with these organisations.

“Massage therapy has come a long way since we started the College in 1984. We promote evidence-based practice and world standard education. Recent massage research has verified the benefits of massage, sports massage, neuromuscular therapy, and other forms of hands-on therapies,” comments Ms Penman.

The College offers courses in massage therapy to certificate, diploma, and now degree level.

Media contact: Brenda Saunders 021 777 171 23