Ethical Issues In Massage Therapy

One of the main ethical issues that faces health care is the security of patient information. This information is protected by laws and regulations such as HIPPA, but there are still concerns Scott, et al, 2005). Among those concerns is the new concept of electronic patient records and information. These records are designed to help hospitals and doctors get patient information more quickly, so that patients can receive treatment as soon as possible. Unfortunately, anything kept and transmitted on a computer has the potential to be hacked, so that is a serious concern for patients. Not all patients want their medical records to be available electronically, but they may not have too many options (Romano & Stafford, 2010). Opting out may not be an option for them, and if they do have that option it could reduce the speed and quality of treatment that these patients would receive. Do they want to risk that, just so they can feel as though their medical information is better protected?

When someone says “Sports Massage” what comes to mind? Is it a large person with a white golf shirt and khaki chinos pressing their elbow in to a scantily clad football player’s back? Is it a person at the end of a five kilometer run, with a massage table, a bottle of water and a banana for the participant? In many educational environments, sporting events like runs are used to complete student clinical hours, and to “spread to word about massage”, yet many massage therapists do not have specific training about what entails a sports massage education.

I could successfully operate one of the four franchises without having experience owning a business because a franchise “is generally a proven business model … [and] reduces your risk” (Stricker, 2015, P. 74). Figure 5 demonstrates the four franchises’ market share, revenue, and net worth. Furthermore, I could successfully operate Massage Envy without experience, since Massage Envy has the highest market share and a net worth of $500,000. Although I have no experience in operating a business, “franchisors offer extensive hand-holding” that will allow me to succeed” (“Buying a Business off the Rack”, 2013). Moreover, “name recognition” will allow me to succeed and reduce my risk (Stricker, 2015, P. 74). Also, gaining knowledge by experience and from other franchisors will allow me to succeed.

According to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, the Affordable care Act from President Obama gives consumers more options and benefits when seeking coverage from insurance company. It offers lowering cost as well as gets more access to high quality of care. This law creates Patient’s Bill of Rights that is very effective to protect consumers from any abuses or fraud from insurance company. Some preventive services are available to many Americans especially Medicare recipients at no cost. Not just that, they also receive a special offer of 50 percent discount for any well-known drugs in the market place under Medicare named “donut hole.” The Affordable Care Act helps other organizations and programs to convince healthcare providers

If you are into sports, now days there are also many sports teams that use massage therapists to increase players’ performance. Increased performance is also going into the business world; many corporations are staffing massage therapists because relaxation reduces stress and headaches. When these physical negatives are reduced, more work gets accomplished with fewer complaints.

In the past century, chiropractors were shunned and undermined as unethical medical doctors with the sole belief that it was unethical to associate with any of these kind of practitioners. The article which I have thoroughly analysed was retrieved on the American Medical Association website. It outlines the history and events of the struggle of the chiropractors back in the early 1800s up until the late 1900’s. The article also explains how Chester Wilk along with four other chiropractors sued the AMA due to violations of section 1 and 2 of the Sherman Antitrust Act. Through these significant events, the future of chiropractic has been created into what it is as of today.

Abortion is one of the most polarising moral issues in today’s society. It presents an ethical dilemma for many people and especially all healthcare professionals involved. Firstly, this essay will begin by briefly outlining the highly controversial issue of abortion, discuss why this topic draws fierce debate, for and against, and explain the current legal standing in the UK today. It will then move on to explain how different ethical models can be used in relation to ethical dilemmas, in particular Thiroux’s Five Principles of Ethic’s. Using this model to discuss how each principle individually applies to this contested issue it will then conclude by summarising and highlighting the main conflicts

When walking through the door, you are greeted by personable, helpful staff with outgoing personas. Whether it is your first professional massage or your hundredth, you are lavished with the utmost kindness and discretion. Queries are answered before costs for services desired are discussed. After you have chosen a stunning massage therapist, you are escorted to a serene space where you are put at ease and encouraged to give voice to your wishes.

I blew the whistle in this situation when the lack of ethical care for residents and work ethics fell short of the normal standards. As a care provider one must always be aware of that the dignity of the client when it comes to their care. I return to my regular position after three months of working graveyards to find that the residents were being brought to the dining room in the hospital gowns. There was no regard for the resident’s dignity. Their backs were exposed and often the gown was exposing their chest. No one took in count how the resident must feel going into the dining room so exposed. The staff could of a least put on clothing over top of the gown or a sweater to hide what they were wearing. And use a lap blanket so they

Physician owned physical therapy services (POPTS) are organizations in which a physician can financially gain from referring physical therapy services to an institution in which they have ownership or some sort of financial stake in the company of referral. This is commonly known as referral for profit.1 An example of POPTS is an orthopedic surgeon owning his/her practice that employs physical therapists to which he/she only refers their patients. This type of referral not only gives unfair advantage to the physician owner; it more importantly takes away from the patient’s choice of provider. This issue has been a source of controversy for some time. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has been in opposition to POPTS since the late 1970s. This opposition did not gain traction until the Stark legislation in the 1990s; which

Many people pass this concrete stucco looking office on the strip mall. Most people who pass by may go to the bar next door to Dr. Mason’s chiropractic office. No one pays much attention to a place where all the windows are low tinted dark with a door that has the word doctor on it. People only look for doctors when they are injured or sick. I’m sure the lighted Budlight sign flashing and smell of food attract more people.

According to the Cambridge Dictionaries Online, ethics is a system of accepted beliefs that control behavior, especially such a system based on morals ("Cambridge," n.d.). Ethics in health care is aimed at providing guidelines and codes for health care providers for their duty, responsibility, and conduct (Mohanti, 2009). Major ethical issues arise at the end-of-life, this can include aspects in pharmacology, barriers to effective pain management, drug diversion, and the role of the nurse in pain and symptom management. With the many issues surrounding end-of-life, there are also available resources out there to help.

(Credibility) I currently work as a manager of a massage spa. I also have experience with the use of massage therapy to improve pain and ailments.

Massage therapy can help with alleviating muscle tension, diminishing stress, and bringing to mind feelings of calmness, along with helping chronic fatigue syndrome, easing chronic constipation, and enhancing self image. It also manipulates the activity of the musculoskeletal, circulatory, lymphatic, and nervous systems in the body. Clinical studies have revealed that massage relieves chronic back pain more effectively than other treatments and most times it is more cost effective than other treatments ("University of Maryland Medical Center").

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) from the United States Department of Labor, massage therapists “treat clients by using touch to manipulate the muscles and other tissues of the body.” Likewise, they “relieve pain, help heal injuries, improve circulation, relieve stress, increase relaxation, and aid in general wellness of clients.” which is common knowledge to any massage therapist (“Summary”). Massage therapists must complete an education program, and they are normally found at a technical school. “Most programs require at least 500 hours of study for their completion;” while other programs “require 1,000 or more hours.” (“How to Become a Massage Therapist”). Massage therapists make a median pay of $18.29 per hour and around $38,040 a year (“Summary”). The OOH also states that massage therapists, “work in an array of settings, such as spas, franchised clinics, physicians’ offices, hotels, and fitness centers”. In addition, “Employment of massage therapists is projected to grow 22 percent from 2014 to 2024…” which will allow more for opportunities as a massage therapist