Sustainable Massage Practice

Sustainable Massage Practice- 14-Aug-2009

Principles of sustainability relating to massage practice can be categorised as operating as a business or individual therapist, whom considers the effect of their business / practice on people, planet and profitability; ( which has been termed- the triple bottom line) without compromising the resources needed for future generations. Also the ability of the individual to maintain their longevity within the massage profession must be taken into consideration.

Client focused care will sustain our practice as MT's this includes

· Professionalism-registration with national body

· Working within scope of practice

· Display relevant professional certificates

· Client confidentiality

· Secure and correct documentation for client details and treatment plan

· Attention to personal attire and hygiene

· Appearance and hygiene of practice setting

· Handling of appointment system

· Treatment completed within a set timeframe

It is important to have a good reputation within the community and be seen to be a legitimate health professional. This not only assists the individual but also other massage therapists and alternative health providers. It is difficult to sustain a business if you gain a reputation for poor quality of care, charge too high, are deemed not to give good value. Word soon permeates through a community and moves to other health practitioners.

Working with other parties is part of a business. It is important to maintain good working relationships with suppliers, other health professionals, financial institutions.

· Payment of accounts on time

· If needing to refer a client providing good documentation

· Client referred to you, provide timely feedback to referring party

· If an employer-be a good one. Others will want to work for you

· Establish suppliers where possible within the local community, which assists the sustainability of the local market.

To sustain business a profit needs to be made, this has to be balanced on a reasonable figure that the community can afford to pay for a massage session and the outgoings that are required to achieve the session. Which leads into purchasing products, how we best utilise energy required for cleaning and heating, building or clinic maintenance and the potential cost on the environment of our decisions in this area.

How our practice as massage therapists affects the environment can be considered when we purchase equipment and products.

· Where and how resourced and distributed

· What sort of packaging used-recyclable or not

· What ingredients used, are they from an endangered source

A protocol could be used so that the business only buys environmentally safe cleaning products, recyclable printing products. Practice heat and water efficiencies.

To ensure massage practice is more sustainable would be to have a mission statement and define the core values of the business and individual practice. This outlines values to maintain on a daily basis and a focus for a long term plan. Giving a template to work along and refer to in all facets of the business.

As a massage therapist self-care would make the individual more sustainable. As massage therapy is a physical career maintaining good body mechanics and strength is required. Ensuring rest periods between massage and practical scheduling of massage sessions will also assist this.

Ongoing professional development will lead massage therapists to be more sustainable leading to increased knowledge, continually improving client care, research and further development of massage therapy as a profession in New Zealand.

http:/www.sbcmontana.org/sustainability/whataresustainablebusinesspractices.html

http:/www.gw.govt.nz/section66.cfm-Greater Wellington Regional Council

Salvo (2007).