A Message About Massage

Saturday, March 1, 2003

A Message About Massage (NAPSA)—Arecent poll re- vealed that one-third of adults received a massage during the past year, with the majority indicating that the certification of the practitioner is extremely important. The rub is, however, fewer than half actually sought certified practitioners. Because consumers place a high value on certification, it is important not to assume that the practitioneris nationally certified. National certification assures consumers that their interests are being protected just as in other medical and health-related practices. Board certified practitioners adhereto strict ethical and professional standards offering protection to consumers. Consumers can find a guide to massage and a list of Nationally Certified Practitioners online at The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) Website, www.ncbtmb.com. “Nationally certified practitioners have made a commitment to their clients to deliver the quality, consistency and trust their clients deserve,” said Garnet Adair, chair, NCBTMB. “By asking for the therapists’ national certification, consumers know they are in good hands.” Thepoll also found: A substantial majority of respondents (84 percent) indicate that massage and bodywork services provide a measurable health benefit; Stress relief was the leading reason cited for getting a massage (48 percent) with treatment for specific problems or sports-related A Check List for Massage & BodyworkSafety Massage and bodyworkservices can do wondersfor your body and mind—provide pain relief, rehabilitation, relaxation or rejuvenation (physical or mental). As in any health-related practice, there are many questions that you should ask a massage and bodyworkprofessional to ensure safe and effective services: e Are you Nationally Certified by The NationalCertification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork? How long have you beencertified? Are there risks associated with a massage? e Whatshould | do beforereceiving a massage? Are there certain physical conditions that would makeit unsafe for me fo have a massage or that | should make you aware of? Whatshould | expect to happen during the session? e Whattypes of massage do youoffer? e Whattype of massage do you recommend for my desired outcome(i.e., relief from stress, sore muscles, etc)? issues cited by nearly 25 percent; * Most respondents received their most recent massage in a private practice setting, one in seven respondentscited a spa. Said Dr. Christine D. Niero, executive director, NCBTMB, “With so many people getting massage and bodywork services, NCBTMB can help insure the safety of these services if people use nationally certified practition-

--- PHOTOS ---

File: 20190730-142343-20190730-142341-57207.pdf.jpg

--- FILES ---

File: 20190730-142341-57207.pdf