What does 'informed consent' entail for a massage therapist?

Informed consent is a crucial ethical and legal requirement for massage therapists, ensuring that clients understand the nature of the treatment they will receive. It involves a thorough explanation of the proposed treatment, including its purpose, potential risks, benefits, and any alternatives available. The therapist must ensure that the client comprehensively understands this information before proceeding with the massage.

This process not only fosters trust between the therapist and client but also empowers clients to make informed decisions about their care. Participants in a massage session should feel secure and knowledgeable about what to expect, and informed consent is a vital part of establishing that environment.

The other options, while they may relate to aspects of practice, do not fully capture the essence of informed consent. For example, obtaining a client's medical history is important for safety but is only one component of the informed consent process. Similarly, administering a consent form on its own does not guarantee that the client understands the treatment and risks involved. Verbal agreement from the client is also necessary but mere verbal consent without comprehensive explanation does not fulfill the full informed consent criteria.