An active massage therapy practice is the result of hard work, education, and a credible professional reputation. We can advertise, use social media, network with other health professionals, but our reputation is the corner stone of successful practice. Ethical dilemmas are a part of our society and to think we are never going to be exposed to a professional ethical dilemma is naïve. What if your employer suggests you give extras in your workplace and you are strapped for money? We know this is unethical. Shall we sweep it under the rug and say it never happens? That would be like saying that crime does not exist. And since denying that this practice is not what therapeutic massage therapists do, what should we do now? People have faults. People make mistakes. We can deny this happens and it is all fantasy or we can investigate the ethical pathways that help us stay on the straight and narrow.

How do we practice ethically? We have to make sure that our professional identity is clear, otherwise the work can be laden with stress, be less satisfying, and ethical dilemmas are apt to appear and remain unresolved. Massage therapists have to continually follow a code of ethics and attend continuing education in ethics. Ethics goes beyond school and the ethics class. We represent an entire profession and if we practice unethically it reflects back to our field. This is our responsibility. The value of attending an ethics class is to remind us of our boundaries that will help maintain our stellar reputations, bolster our existing character traits and toss around ways to solve ethical dilemmas in the work place environment. Operating without peer advice can lead to snap decisions that are not necessarily the best ethical avenue. Protect your corner stone of your practice by exploring the boundaries of the profession and sharing ethical dilemmas with your peers and with an expert with an objective ear!

Somewhere along the line of our practice, we have to develop value in our ethical foundation. Developing value in your practice represents an investment in maximal competence, a sense of duty to uphold standards, protecting relationships, boundaries, and honesty with clients, employers, and colleagues/health professionals. Work should be satisfying and grow with you and your practice involving developing goals.

How do we develop and keep the value of Ethics beyond school and into our massage therapy practice?

Modeling – Adhere to the highest standards of conduct.
Enforcement – Unethical behavior should not be tolerated.
Communication – Maintain a open dialogue about ethics as an investment for schools, students, faculty, CE providers, therapists and industry ethics, and for our reputation as a whole.
Transparency – Openly post codes of ethics and mission statements. Have policies posted on how you deal with ethical issues.
Oversight – Support organizations, boards, associations, schools, etc. to maintain consistent enforcement policies and have committees that review codes.
Education – Promote ethical courses and dialogue in all aspects of our profession.
Prevention – Recognize at the outset where conflicts of interest may arise and put specific safeguards in place. Utilize and develop policies before a problem presents itself.

A code of ethics does not ensure ethical behavior for massage therapists. We have to construct an ethical culture for our industry and it starts with our investment and commitment to massage therapy and bodywork.

Investment and commitment will help you to create a legacy to leave to the profession of massage therapy. Remember this is your journey, but sometimes you might need a road map, so here are a few suggestions:

Involve yourself in taking continuing education
Find a mentor who can help you see the forest through the trees
Involve yourself in your state chapter – join a committee
Look at how you can further massage in your community or in your state
Make a five year plan – look at your life as a journey and plan your route.

Ask yourself, why am I in this profession? What can I do to further the profession?

Start small – you do not have to be President tomorrow, either in your state chapter or for the National Board.
Do you want to teach? Look into the standards for teaching from the Alliance for Massage Therapy Education. AFMTE.org
Take courses that will prepare you to teach.
Surround yourself with individuals who are visionary.
Link yourself to a school that supports standards, provides CE hours, and supports graduates.
Reach out and meet your peers. These are people of like minds.
Research massage – The Massage Therapy Foundation has provided us with the mechanisms of research. Another wonderful organization to investigate!
Write – the Alliance has many members who are authors and publishers attend our conferences. Authors are giving. There are many present here!
Present about massage.
Get massage yourself.
Attend ethics classes and share your experiences with peers.
Remember self-care and prevent burn out.
Whatever you do, remember that massage therapy provides a social service that is unquestionably valuable to the human race. Be proud to be a massage therapist. This is a wonderful, satisfying career. Enjoy the ride and give back. Create your legacy and retain the value of practicing ethically!