Defining Manual and Massage Therapy Medical Codes
2005:
Volume 2, Number 1
Christopher Breuleux, PhD, RMT
President, Medical Wellness
Association
Massage therapy has
proven beneficial as a growing number of physicians; chiropractors
and other healthcare practitioners prescribe manual and physical
treatments for their patients. Research findings show that
therapeutic massage programs in medical facilities continues to grow
as the American Hospital Association (AHA) confirms the number of
registered massage therapists that work in medical centers has
significantly increased. (1) The Medical Wellness Association (MWA)
confirms that there are numerous benefits to offering massage in a
medical setting. (2)
The American
Medical Association (AMA) updates the manual each year that contains
the codes for known medical procedures and treatments. The
procedures manual is revised quarterly due to the always-changing
field of medicine. The Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes
offer a concise description of the medical professional’s actions.
CPT codes, descriptions and other medical data for 2005 are
copyrighted and CPT is a trademark of the AMA. Only practitioners,
employees and agents are authorized to use CPT- authorized materials
internally within your organization. Use is limited to Medicare,
Medicaid or other programs administered by the Centers for Medicare
and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Standard Massage Therapy Definitions and Terms
The increased regulation of massage makes the medical and physician
referral and insurance reimbursement more common. Massage therapy
means the manipulation of soft tissue by hand or through a
mechanical or electrical apparatus for the purpose of body massage
and includes: effleurage (stroking), petrissage (kneading),
tapotement (percussion), compression, friction, vibration and nerve
strokes. The terms "massage," "therapeutic massage," "massage
technology," myotherapy," "body massage," "body rub," or any
derivation of those terms are synonyms for "massage therapy." (3)
Massage therapy constitutes a medical and health care service if the
massage therapy is for therapeutic purposes. The terms "therapy" and
"therapeutic" when used in the context of massage therapy practice
do not include a service or procedure for which a license to
practice medicine, chiropractic, physical therapy, or podiatry is
required by law. (3)
Medical massage is an adjunct to medical treatment and enhances the
effectiveness of therapeutic care. Medical massage works with
patients who have health problems or injury that requires physician
or hospital care. Massage therapy referrals are growing in
popularity by the public and acceptance by the medical community. As
a profession, massage is a scientifically proven health and medical
modality which has gained widespread popularity and consumer demand.
References
1. Berland, Theodore. Hospitals Embrace Massage, Massage Therapy
Journal, January 2004, p60.
2. Breuleux, Christopher. Therapeutic Massage for Healthcare
Services, Medical Wellness Journal, Vol.1, No 2, 2004, p14.
3. 2005 Texas Administrative Code, Secretary of State, Department of
State Health Services, September, 2004.