HLTMSG010 Assess client massage needs

Core unit of HLT42021 Certificate IV in Massage Therapy. Release 1.

This unit teaches the assessment that comes before every massage: taking a history, observing and palpating, spotting cautions and contraindications, and explaining treatment options. It covers relaxation and therapeutic massage, not remedial assessment.

Elements

1. Determine scope of client needs
2. Conduct client assessment
3. Determine and discuss treatment approach

What you must do (performance evidence)

• Complete a full client assessment on 3 different people, each within a commercial timeframe, using palpation and observation, covering upper and lower body, explaining options clearly and involving the client in decisions.

What you must know (knowledge evidence)

• Legal and ethical duties in assessment, including scope of practice and when to refer to a medical practitioner.
• Factors affecting health status: age, lifestyle, medical history, mental health, sleep, social determinants of health.
• Case history and managing client expectations.
• Assessment methods: palpation, observation, listening.
• Cautions, contraindications and red flags for referral (e.g. vascular or neurological problems, inflammation, lumps, skin changes, oedema, infection, unexplained pain).
• Major muscle anatomy: surface anatomy, bony landmarks and actions of key muscles (e.g. trapezius, levator scapulae, rotator cuff, erector spinae, quadratus lumborum, gluteals, quadriceps, hamstrings, calf muscles), bones and synovial joints.
• Soft-tissue physiology: muscle contraction, reflexes, proprioceptors, tendons, ligaments, fascia; inflammation, injury grades, wound healing and pain types.
• Documentation: accurate, legible, in English, using standard abbreviations.

How it is assessed

Simulated clinic with massage table, draping, oils, bolsters and hand hygiene; assessors must be practising remedial/myotherapy/soft tissue therapists.

Full text: sources/course-docs/HLTMSG010.md. This is a plain-English summary; the official unit on training.gov.au is the authority.