37-33-403. Definitions. As used in this chapter, the following definitions apply:

(1) "Board" means the board of massage therapy provided for in 2-15-1782.

(2) "Department" means the department of labor and industry provided for in 2-15-1701.

(3) "Massage therapist", "licensed massage therapist", "L.M.T.", "masseur", or "masseuse" means a person who is licensed by the board to practice massage therapy. The terms are equivalent terms, and any derivation of the phrases or any letters implying the phrases are equivalent terms. Any reference to any one of the terms in this chapter includes the others.

(4) (a) (i) "Massage therapy" when provided by a massage therapist means the application of a system of structured touch, pressure, positioning, or holding to soft tissues of the body, Swedish massage, effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, percussion, friction, vibration, compression, passive and active stretching or movement within the normal anatomical range of motion, the external application of water, heat, cold, lubricants, salts, skin brushing, or other topical preparations not classified as prescription drugs, providing information for self-care stress management, and the determination of whether massage is contraindicated and whether referral to another health care practitioner is recommended.

(ii) The techniques described in subsection (4)(a)(i) must be applied by the massage therapist through the use of hands, forearms, elbows, knees, or feet or through the use of hand-held tools that mimic or support the action of the hands and are primarily intended to enhance or restore health and well-being by promoting pain relief, stress reduction, and relaxation.

(b) The term does not include providing examinations for the purpose of diagnosis, providing treatments that are outside the scope of massage therapy, attempts to adjust, manipulate, or mobilize any articulations of the body or spine by the use of high-velocity, low-amplitude thrusting force, exercise, exercise instruction or prescription, or the use of tape when applied to restrict joint movement, manual or mechanical traction when applied to the spine or extremities for the purposes of joint mobilization or manipulation, injection therapy, laser therapy, microwave diathermy, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, iontophoresis, or phonophoresis.

History: En. Sec. 3, Ch. 451, L. 2009.