As I continue to develop personally and approach the tenth year anniversary from my training in Therapeutic Massage and related manipulations (graduation date July 2000), I look to further define the place of my work.
The topics of- massage clubs ,”Why licensed massage isn’t covered by insurance as a ‘stand alone’ therapy” and “How do I feel about this or the other type of practitioner?” – are very common in my daily experience.
The advent of “massage clubs” across the nation through clever marketing, the power of corporate buying and the increasing need of the American population to relieve our ever elevating physical and mental stress has had at least a three-fold result:
1) Clubs provide much needed work for the graduates of schools of massage and existing licensed massage therapists
2) More people whom would not ever have taken a massage are enjoying the benefits of therapeutic bodywork (from convenient locations and gift certificates)
3) The concept of “taking a massage as a luxury or just for relaxation” has either been reinforced or dispelled by those same hard working therapists and massage clinic operators
The fact that for a few dollars a person can get another educated human being to spend 50 minutes focusing on them and sincerely attempt to make the customer “feel better” is little short of amazing. Where else can you get that effort? Try getting a loved one or co-worker to give you an uninterrupted hour “all about you” and see what you get. What modern humans will do to get a sense of belonging, companionship and to be recognized (social media, clubs, church, etc) is the topic of another article.
My concern is massage clubs may be having the “Wal-Mart” effect on therapeutic bodywork, artificially driving down the rate for labor of therapeutic bodywork and related manipulations. Remember that the $29.00 fee can only be split so many ways. The therapists there are typically paid $14-$16 per therapy hour worked. Their status as IRS Form 1099 subcontractors make them wholly responsible to pay all taxes. Take home pay averages $7-$9. No Workman’s Compensation coverage. No health care insurance. No hourly pay for when they are at work and not providing treatments.
What other form of proven health care pays as little? If the public wants skilled labor and true expertise in relieving pain and suffering, then shouldn’t they be willing to pay professional rates for that same work?
Think of auto repair or home maintenance. If all you need is your oil changed, then a minimally trained oil technician can do that work for $19.95 in 15 minutes. If you need a transmission rebuild will you take your car to the “Oil and Lube Guy”? Not likely. If you need a light bulb changed or touch up paint, call a lightly skilled handyman. If you need your home’s foundation rebuilt, would you call the “Handyman”?
The foundation of your home is an apt analogy. The alignment of your spine and the free moving balance of your neuro-muscular system is an indisputable foundation of your health. More hours are lost from work in the American workforce due to musculo-skeletal pain (causing neck/shoulder spasm and headache, etc.) than for any other reason besides “colds” and flu.
So why do we look at these trained professionals (licensed massage therapists) skilled in alleviating the causes and symptoms of pain as if they are as common as the “Oil and Lube Guy”? Why should they struggle to make a solid living if they are truly part of the health care system of the United States? This brings me to the second topic, “Why isn’t therapeutic massage from state licensed therapists covered by health care insurance?”.
In certain states in the U.S. licensed massage therapists are allowed to directly bill and be reimbursed from health insurance plans such as Blue Cross, Aetna, etc. Arizona is not one of those states. I am on a PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) provider list for retired state employees from the state of Washington now living in AZ. Why don’t more health insurance companies in more states allow licensed therapists to bill directly for their work? The difference is what the buying public values.
If more customers of health insurance companies insisted on a specific coverage, then it would be added. But if we think of soft tissue therapies as just for luxury or relaxation – and not as a valuable and proven form of health care – then it stays in the realm of entertainment and not health care.
The professional organizations like the AMTA (American Massage Therapy Association) have been educating the public and more importantly the state and national legislators on the efficacy and importance of soft tissue manipulations for over 100 years in the U.S. Their assistance has helped to create the guidelines and education requirements for the state of AZ massage board licensees. But why should some of our brightest minds with an intent on being recognized as Complimentary Health Care Providers (including Massage Therapists, Acupuncturists, Nature Pathic Physicians) consider going into a profession that pays them near minimum wage and no workman’s compensation if they are injured on the job?
Why indeed should those same bright minds pay for hundreds or thousands of hours of training at the rate of thousands of dollars to not be valued by the same public they eagerly want to help to better health?
Where is the incentive for existing therapists to continue to have the burdens of:
1) Patient education on the benefits of the work in a cash fee for service environment.
2) Marketing for their businesses.
3) Self-employment taxes.
4) Providing their own health insurance (which ironically would not cover our own type of work – even if it was affordable), etc.?
I cannot provide you with an expensive and fancy advertising campaign or clever branding. I cannot afford to charge artificially low rates for assisted healing. But I do bring over ten years of experience and advanced training to my work. I can tell you with confidence that I have helped thousands (no typo.) of individuals to better and long lasting health.
You will feel the results of my work every moment of every day. What I ask in return is you help me retain the value of my work and recognize its importance in your life and those you care about.
Come ready for change. Be prepared to be challenged in your beliefs of how fast and deeply you will heal. When you do heal and get results, tell everyone you can about my work. Be prepared to not be heard, even by those closest to you. Then tell them again.
When you need a handyman, call one. When you need an expert, call me.
Are you ready to make an appointment?
- Roberto A. Paredes, B.A., L.M.T
Roberto Paredes, B.A., L.M.T., Rolf Method Practitioner has a healing practice in Tempe, AZ. He provides patient empowerment, therapeutic treatments and education with nutrition, exercise and body manipulations. To schedule an appointment for a consultation you may call (480) 225-2313 or email him at roberto.paredes@ymail.com.
Roberto Paredes, B.A., L.M.T.
www.advancedtherapeuticbodyworks.com
(480) 225-2313
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Posted by Low Cost Individual Health Insurance | Dare To Compare Quotes on July 8, 2010 at 7:01 am
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Posted by Sue on June 13, 2010 at 8:23 am
Good points! My Mom always told me you get what you pay for. What is more important than your health? It is all you have. Take care of yourself and you those around you.