The Spring Journal is arriving soon!

The Spring issue of Massage & Myotherapy Journal will be available to all members and Journal subscribers in the early weeks of August. This very special bumper issue is four pages longer than regular issues and will be celebrating the Association, and Journal, turning 20. Other features include the 2023 National Conference report, 20-year Association timeline and a focus on wet labs (just in time for wet lab month).

Next year’s National Conference: 18-19 May 2024

Massage & Myotherapy is excited to announce the lineup of speakers who will be presenting at the 2024 National Conference 18-19 May 2024! The Association is fortunate to welcome Stuart Hinds who will be headlining the Conference and he will be joined by:

• Stephen Walters
• Catherine McInerney
• Jacqui Beutel
   

These are just some of the presenters who will be featured at the National Conference. Please keep an eye on your emails, the Association website and social media for future updates, including pre-Conference speakers and topics.

Workplace Psychological Hazards

Safe Work Australia point out that all workplaces including massage therapy clinics are responsible for providing safe mental health workplaces. Psychological hazards can include:

• job demands
• remote or isolated work 
• poor physical environment 
• harassment, including sexual harassment
   

For more supporting information, please click here.

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Developing Manual Therapy Frameworks for Dedicated Pain Mechanisms
This study was published online on 10 July 2023 by ‘Movement Science Media JOSPT’. Researchers created a consensus-based framework for manual therapy treatment for major mechanisms-based pain classifications. For more information and to see the results, please click here.

Private Health Funds Provider Numbers
Please remember that provider numbers allocated to therapists are for the sole use of an individual therapist only and are not to be shared with other practitioners or used at other locations. The provider number is allocated to the individual therapist at their location registered with the Association and the private health funds can only be used by the therapist at that location. Sharing of provider numbers may be deemed as fraud and this action breaches the terms and conditions of the individual private health funds.
Misuse of provider numbers may result in losing your Approved Provider status with all health funds. Sharing of provider numbers with unqualified staff is not only potential misuse, a breach of terms and conditions and the Association Code of Ethics but it may also be a breach of the National Code of Conduct for Unregistered Health Care Workers and can result in interim prohibition orders in your state.
The Association encourages all members to remember to look after your provider number/s. You are responsible for your own provider number/s.

If you have any questions regarding health funds, please don’t hesitate to call our team, we are here to help.

Bupa and mobile massage
Bupa have requested that the Association remind members that BUPA will not pay a rebate for services that are performed outside the actual receipted location, i.e., mobile massage. Bupa provides benefits for massage services (including Remedial Massage, Myotherapy and Traditional Chinese Massage) where such services are provided in accordance with their Ancillary Provider Terms and in accordance with their Fund Rules. The Association will continue to have open dialogue with the individual private health funds, including Bupa, regarding requirements and advocacy of members.

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What is Mental Health?
Beyond Blue have designed a mental health continuum to assist in the discussion of social and emotional wellbeing. Mental health can change gradually over time, and understanding this can help you to know when you need to seek professional support. For more information, please click here.

You’ll find other helpful websites here:

From the Editor

Affiliation with AHPA adds resonance to the voice of professional massage therapists

Massage & Myotherapy Australia has announced a new affiliation with Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA). In making the announcement, Ann Davey, Massage & Myotherapy Australia CEO, said, ‘The parallel goals of providing a national leading voice for health professionals and improving access to professionally qualified therapists, provides a natural fit for the two organisations’.

To read the full media release click here. For more information on AHPA click here.

New HALO module: Understanding Shin Splints

Massage & Myotherapy Australia, with international presenter Aubrey Gowing, is presenting a brand-new Halo module which will focus on the local anatomical structures and the common muscle imbalance pattern in the leg that can lead to this chronic injury Shin Splints. To understand the mechanism of dysfunction we will explore the underpinning theory, including rationale, as well as the relevant cautions and contraindications. This Corrective Manual Therapy approach will provide a framework, a logical sequence in which to practice while blending seamlessly with all your existing, highly effective, favourite techniques across multiple modalities. For more information and to register, please click here.

Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice

As you know, all Massage & Myotherapy Australia members have a commitment to review and abide by the Association’s Code of Ethics, Standards & National Code of Conduct. This is a document all members should be familiar with and should review often. For more information and to review the document, please click here.

Pyjama Day!

As you can see in the photo below, the Team at Massage & Myotherapy Australia recently supported The National Pyjama Foundation by participating in National Pyjama Day which supports kids in foster care. For more information on National Pyjama Day, please click here.
 

Adding your booking script to the Australian Massage Directory

Did you know that members can directly link the Australian Massage Directory to their Clinic Management Software? Clients will be able to directly access your booking software to book a treatment via the Australian Massage Directory. Ensure this is working correctly by checking your listing on the Australian Massage Directory.

For more information and to learn more, please click here.

Have you updated your email address?
Don’t forget to notify the Association

If you’ve updated your email, or changed workplaces, don’t forget to let the Association know so you don’t miss any essential information. You can update your email address by logging in and clicking ‘Update Personal Details’. You can also customise which emails you receive by logging into the Association website and selecting ‘Manage My Communications’.

Massage & Myotherapy CONNECT highlights   Did you watch the Episode 69 of Massage & Myotherapy Connect?  David Sheehan chats with Orofacial and Myofascial Pain Specialist Raelene Clark about her work in orofacial pain management and headaches. And osteopath and international lecturer John Gibbons discusses strategies to assess and mobilise the lumbar spine. Available now on the Massage & Myotherapy Australia website, Facebook and YouTube.		Setting up your business – what’s involved?   Setting up a new business can often be a difficult task, especially for a business within the health industry. Therapists have more to consider than just an ABN and business name. The Certification Program provides therapists with a standard that can work as a roadmap to point you in the right direction, including policies, risk matrix and assessments. For more information on the Certification Program and to register your interest, please click here.