The profession is not so new. Jack Meagher, human massage therapist and equine sports massage therapist, started approx 50 years ago and among his many credits has worked with the US Olympic Equestrian Team. And, as only one more example of many, the Greeks have been applying massage techniques to their horses prior to that. I'm sure if you do more research you will see how ancient this modality is.
My apology. My statement was in reference to the amount of time a licensing board has been around in Kentucky. As a martial arts instructor, I have been introduced to Shiatsu, QiGong, and other modalities. I'm well aware that the practice of massage, and corresponding modalities have been around much longer than "medicine." In fact, most of the modalities made up the medical profession in more ancient times.
As for animal massage, it has been around for thousands of years also, but it was never considered a "profession", per se. Now with the equine atheletic trainers, etc., it is quickly gaining that status.
Just because the profession is not regulated does not mean that it automatically falls under the rules and regulations of veterinarians. That's actually very arrogant.
I agree. It is rather arrogant. Please keep in mind that I am not a veterinarian myself. My formal training is governmental services. The Veterianarians in this state, and in other, are quite territorial about anything that contains the word "animal". Kentucky law defines Veterinary Medicine as:
"To diagnose, treat, correct, change, relieve, or prevent: animal disease, deformity, defect, injury, or other physical or mental conditions, including the prescription or administration of any drug, medicine, biologic, apparatus, application, anesthetic, or other therapeutic or diagnostic substance or technique, and the use of any manual or mechanical procedure for testing for pregnancy, or for correction sterility or infertility, or to render advice or recommendation with regard to any or the above."
As you can see, this definition pretty much covers all forms of medicine, including therapeutic remedies. Kentucky has always responded to any questions concering "animal massage" as it being the practice of Veterinary medicine.
As a side note, there are those who are fighting against licensure for human massage and other complementary natural care modalities. This issue of licensure and accountability is not specific to animals.
Very true, but I think most people serious about their profression have little to no problem with requiring licensure. Otherwise, prostitutes would be dominating the massage therapy world, and that helps no one.
These other therapies you have mentioned are utilized by LMTs in some states. They are being taught in schools - with very rigorous, technical 900+ hour programs, where the state regulations allow it. Some of these students go on to work for physicians and and sports med facilities immediately after graduating.
This may also be true. I know in Kentucky, the massage therapy laws prohibit the use of Deep Physical Agent Modalities. These are typically performed by licensed Physical Therapist, or Occupational Therapists, if they have the proper specialty certification.
Do you know of any specific instances where an animal has been harmed due to such activities and modality applications - in other words from providing massage, etc?
No. Any complaints concerning massage in the animal world have typically come from either Veterinarians who are upset by the practice, or other massage therapists who have been shut down.
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Yes, you're right, some states specifically spell it out as such. But the law is not written as "not animal" tissue. Humans and animals have a very similar anatomy and physiology, why else would a vet treat with similar meds and medical/non-medical treatments/therapies.
I completely agree that it is very important to be familiar with animal antomy & physiology, biomechanics/kinesiology, pathology, and most importantly behavior. I don't believe that an individual has to be a licensed veterinarian, or vet tech, to have and use this knowledge, or be capable of contributing to animal health. Again, I believe the whole issue boils down to AVMA perceived competition of funds rather than animal safety and welfare.
But would you agree that only a Veterinarian has the proper training in animal anatomy and physiology to teach the proper courses to LMTs? To my knowledge, that doesn't happen very often.
Yes, AMTA does provide coverage for animal massage (so does ABMP). Mmmm...I don't believe the issue is about education...maybe somebody else will bite on that one.
I believe AMTA may have approved of a couple of animal courses. The massage therapy board here in Kentucky has specifically said that it will not recognize them, due to the fact that it does not involve human massage, and that animal massage it outside the scope of practice of an LMT. (In Kentucky, anyway)
Thanks again, Jeff, for your response. I truly appreciate your openness, time and efforts here.
Appreciated. I don't want to give people that idea that I am against an LMT performing animal massage. I'm not. I just think that it's a much broader issue than it is currently being looked at. It's only proper that input be accepted by not only vets, but LMTs, as well as PTs and OTs.