MASSAGE AND MYOTHERAPY AUSTRALIA HAS MADE SUBMISSION TO THE SECOND STAGE OF HUMAN SERVICES

MASSAGE AND MYOTHERAPY AUSTRALIA HAS MADE SUBMISSION TO THE SECOND STAGE OF HUMAN SERVICES

February 10, 2017

Massage & Myotherapy Australia has made a submission to the Second stage of Human Services—Productivity Commission Public Inquiry - Identifying Sectors for Reform - Opportunities in palliative care and end of life care.

With the input from experts and educators in the field, the submission covers choice and access, Competition and contestability, Effectiveness and Efficiency and productivity. The submission provides information to support extending the role of massage therapy and myotherapy in a variety of end-of-life and palliative care settings.

Already providing a vital service, Massage and Myotherapy Australia believes that further integration of massage therapy will contribute positively to creating greater contestability and competition, alongside improving affordable user access and choice.

Massage and Myotherapy Australia used both anecdotal evidence, and a growing body of scientific evidence to provide a solid argument as extending massage and myotherapy services. Often, massage fills the gap when patients seek alternatives to medications and other therapies; choosing massage because they feel it is more appropriate to their needs.

As a lower cost complementary or allied health option that is known to relieve pain and stress, the workforce already has highly skilled therapists practiced in palliative care settings, and the specialty is provided by education and professional development providers in various training settings. Extending services will also enable the conduct of more detailed high quality research studies and further our understanding of the efficacy, physical and emotional benefits of massage for given conditions.