CMTO’s Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC) is the screening committee for investigations of complaints and reports about Massage Therapy care. The ICRC can refer a matter to the Discipline Committee, order a corrective measure or take no action. The following is a case study demonstrating how the ICRC addressed a complaint from a Massage Therapy client.

Case Study Summary

A client attended a clinic for an appointment with a Massage Therapist. The clinic receptionist asked the client to sign a consent form for assessment and treatment of sensitive areas (i.e., upper inner thighs, chest wall muscles, and breasts). The form stated that the Massage Therapist had already explained the form to the client. When the Massage Therapist came to greet the client, the client was asked to sign the form without discussing it. The client was told to sign the form in case providing treatment of sensitive areas was going to be needed.

The Massage Therapist told the client to remove her clothes, except her undergarments. A treatment plan wasn’t discussed, and the client was told she would be receiving a relaxation massage. During the treatment, the client felt something on her shoulder, and a few minutes later, the Massage Therapist told the client that she might feel a pinch and removed the object from her shoulder. The Massage Therapist told the client that this was ‘cupping’ (i.e., a form of alternative therapy in which heated glass cups are applied to the skin). They had not discussed the use of cupping beforehand.

ICRC’s Perspective:

The ICRC reviewed the complaint from the client and had several concerns with the Massage Therapist’s practice:

• The Massage Therapist should not have asked the client to sign the consent form for assessment and treatment of sensitive areas, since there was no clinical indication that this type of treatment was required, and no informed consent discussion took place.
• Clients should be advised to undress to their own comfort level, not to the instructions of the Massage Therapist.
• The Massage Therapist did not discuss a treatment plan and did not obtain consent for treatment. Additionally, the Massage Therapist did not obtain consent to perform cupping.

The ICRC ordered the Massage Therapist to obtain mentoring from another Massage Therapist to ensure going forward they obtain consent, follow CMTO’s Standards of Practice and provide client-centred care.