Process for massage therapy practice and essential assessment

Abstract

Background: Little evidence exists about processes in massage therapy practice. Investigating current frameworks is warranted. This qualitative study is a secondary data analysis using grounded theory to understand how massage therapy experts describe massage therapy practice.

Methods: 31 massage therapy experts were invited to a 2-day symposium to discuss best practices for the profession. Through qualitative analysis, memoing, and discussion, the data were summarized into themes.

Results: Three themes were identified around massage therapy practice: 1) client centered, 2) structure for practice, and 3) influencing factors. Each theme is clarified and expanded.

Discussion: Conceptual models were developed for research and clinical practice and a definition for massage therapy practice was identified. Challenges and limitations are discussed.

Conclusion: The goal of providing these models is to give massage therapists tools to deliver the best possible care. The models need testing to see if they help advance the profession.

Keywords: Grounded theory; Massage therapy; Outcome and process assessment; Practice guideline; Professional practice; Qualitative research.