Washington Administrative Code › Title 246 - Health, Department of › PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND LICENSING › Chapter 246-830 - Massage therapists › MISCELLANEOUS › Section 246-830-005 - Definitions

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
The definitions in this section apply throughout the
					 chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Animal" means any species normally
				  recognized as treatable by veterinary medicine.
(2) "Animal massage therapist" means an
				  individual licensed to practice massage therapy under chapter 18.108 RCW with
				  additional education and training in animal massage therapy as required under
				  this chapter and holds the animal massage therapist endorsement required by
				  RCW
				  18.108.230.
(3) "Apprentice" means an individual enrolled
				  in an apprenticeship program, and who is held to the same standards as students
				  in massage schools or massage programs.
(4) "Apprenticeship educator and trainer"
				  means a massage therapist licensed under chapter 18.108 RCW with at least three
				  current years of experience in full-time practice.
(5) "Apprenticeship program" means education
				  and training in massage administered by an apprenticeship educator and trainer
				  that satisfies the education and training requirements for massage set forth in
				  this chapter.
(6) "Board" means the
				  Washington state board of massage.
(7) "Breast massage" means the specific and
				  deliberate manipulation of breast tissue pursuant to WAC
				  246-830-555. Massage of the
				  surrounding chest and shoulder muscles such as massage of the intercostal,
				  pectoral, or axillary muscles is not considered breast massage.
(8) "Department" means the Washington state
				  department of health.
(9) "Direct
				  supervision" means supervision by a faculty member who is a clinical supervisor
				  of the massage school or massage program and is on the premises, in the student
				  clinic and is readily available to students and clients or patients.
(10) "Evaluation" means the assessment of
				  soft tissue in order to facilitate decision making regarding effective forms
				  and techniques of massage, and identifying cautions and contraindications to
				  ensure client or patient safety. Evaluation does not mean diagnosis.
(11) "Intraoral massage" means the
				  manipulation or pressure of soft tissue inside the mouth or oral cavity for
				  therapeutic purposes.
(12) "Linens"
				  means sheets, blankets, towels, gowns, pillow cases, face cradle covers, and
				  other nonimpervious fabrics used in the practice of massage.
(13) "Massage" and "massage therapy" mean a
				  health care service involving the external manipulation or pressure of soft
				  tissue for therapeutic purposes. Massage therapy includes techniques such as
				  tapping, compressions, friction, reflexology, Swedish gymnastics or movements,
				  gliding, kneading, shaking, and fascial or connective tissue stretching, with
				  or without the aids of superficial heat, cold, water, lubricants, or salts.
				  Massage therapy does not include diagnosis or attempts to adjust or manipulate
				  any articulations of the body or spine or mobilization of these articulations
				  by the use of thrusting force, nor does it include genital manipulation. See
				  WAC 246-830-550 for additional
				  limitations on massage practice.
(14) "Massage business" means the operation
				  of a business where massages are given.
(15) "Massage program" or "program" means
				  education and training in massage therapy approved by the board. A massage
				  program or program is an established area of study offered on a continuing
				  basis.
(16) "Massage school" or
				  "school" means an institution which has the sole purpose of offering education
				  and training in massage therapy approved by the board.
(17) "Massage therapist" means an individual
				  licensed as a massage therapist under chapter 18.108 RCW.
(18) "Massage transfer program" means a
				  separate board approved program within a board approved massage program or
				  school that allows the transfer program to accept credits and clock hours from
				  massage schools, massage programs, colleges or universities that may not have
				  been approved by the board, pursuant to WAC
				  246-830-037.
(19) "Perineum" means the tissues between the
				  anus and scrotum or vulva.
(20)
				  "Secretary" means the secretary of the department of health or the secretary's
				  designee.
(21) "Student" means an
				  individual currently enrolled in a massage school, massage program or
				  apprenticeship program who is practicing massage solely for the purposes of
				  education and training as part of their current course work and who is not
				  receiving compensation for said practice.
Statutory Authority:
						RCW
						18.108.230(5). 03-11-033,
						§ 246-830-005, filed 5/15/03, effective 6/15/03. Statutory Authority:
						RCW
						18.108.025(1) and
						18.108.085(1)(a).
						96-22-098, § 246-830-005, filed 11/6/96, effective 12/7/96. Statutory
						Authority:
						RCW
						18.108.025(1). 95-11-108,
						§ 246-830-005, filed 5/23/95, effective
						6/23/95.