Ohio Administrative Code › Title 4731 - State Medical Board › Chapter 4731-1 - Limited Branches of Medicine or Surgery › Section 4731-1-05 - Scope of practice: massage therapy

Current through all regulations passed and filed through July 1, 2024
(A) Massage therapy is the treatment of
			 disorders of the human body by the manipulation of soft tissue through the
			 systematic external application of massage techniques including touch,
			 stroking, friction, vibration, percussion, kneading, stretching, compression,
			 and joint movements within the normal physiologic range of motion; and
			 adjunctive thereto, the external application of water, heat, cold, topical
			 preparations, and mechanical devices.
(B) A massage therapist shall not diagnose a
			 patient's condition. A massage therapist shall evaluate whether the application
			 of massage therapy is advisable. A massage therapist may provide information or
			 education consistent with that evaluation, including referral to an appropriate
			 licensed health care professional, provided that any form of treatment advised
			 by a massage therapist falls within the scope of practice of, and relates
			 directly to a condition that is amenable to treatment by, a massage therapist.
			 In determining whether the application of massage therapy is advisable, a
			 massage therapist shall be limited to taking a written or verbal inquiry,
			 visual inspection including observation of range of motion, touch, and the
			 taking of a pulse, temperature and blood pressure.
(C) No person shall use the words or letters
			 "massage therapist," "licensed massage therapist," "L.M.T." or any other
			 letters, words, abbreviations, or insignia, indicating or implying that the
			 person is a licensed massage therapist without a valid license under Chapter
			 4731. of the Revised Code.
(D) A
			 massage therapist may perform the following services in compliance with the
			 following:
(1) A massage therapist may treat
			 temporomandibular joint dysfunction provided that the patient has been directly
			 referred in writing for such treatment to the massage therapist by a physician
			 currently licensed pursuant to Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code, by a
			 chiropractor currently licensed pursuant to Chapter 4734. of the Revised Code,
			 or a dentist currently licensed pursuant to Chapter 4715. of the Revised
			 Code.
(2) A massage therapist may
			 apply ultrasound, diathermy, electrical neuromuscular stimulation, or
			 substantially similar modalities provided that the patient has been directly
			 referred in writing for such treatment to the massage
			 therapist by a physician or podiatric physician licensed under Chapter 4731. of
			 the Revised Code, physician assistant licensed under Chapter 4730. of the
			 Revised Code, chiropractor licensed under Chapter 4734. of the Revised Code,
			 advanced practice registered nurse licensed under Chapter 4723. of the Revised
			 Code, or physical therapist licensed under Chapter 4755. of the Revised Code,
			 who is acting within the scope of their professional license.
(a) The massage therapist must perform the
			 modality within the minimal standards of care.
(b) If the food and drug administration
			 classifies the device as a prescription device, as that term is defined in
			 21 CFR
			 801.109 amended as of June 15, 2016, or a
			 restricted device that can only be sold, distributed, or used upon the order of
			 an authorized healthcare provider, the massage therapist's application of the
			 device must be done under the on-site supervision of the referring
			 practitioner.
(c) If the food and
			 drug administration classifies the device as an over-the-counter device, the
			 massage therapist may apply the device without the on-site supervision of the
			 referring practitioner.