CE INSTITUTE LLC BLOG

Evidence-based massage practice applies a hands-on researched protocol to a client. The objective is to simulate hands-on applications with methods and protocols found to be beneficial in research or provide therapeutic outcomes, similar to what was achieved in the research study.

Sometimes a researched protocol which show what is not appropriate in massage therapy or bodywork practice.  Studies often exclude subjects with various disqualifications which create various parameters for the student.  Sometimes these exclusions are born from massage contraindications which are important to follow.  from participating due to various constraints or contraindications. This is why the entire study must be read and considered prior to real-time application or practice for evidence-based massage therapy practice.

To learn more, please register for quality, affordable, professional training at: https://ceinstitute.com/

To view our evidence-based massage article in full, published @MassageMag, please click HERE!

#swedishmassage #evidencebased #myofascialrelease #triggerpoint #hotstone #hotstonemassage #aromatherapy #aromatherapymasage #sportsmassage #prenatalmassage #oncologymassage #chairmassage #cuppingmassage #avyurvedicmassage #generalmassage #massagetherapy #lmt #mt #massage #lomiloimmassage #mld #manuallymphaticdrainage #lymphaticdrainage #medicalmassage #reflexology 

Sweet Sessions™ are great bodywork appointments that might be an option for clients who are contraindicated for regular massage, such as those who have significant cardiovascular disease, a lack of skin integrity, prenatal eclampsia, diabetic neuropathy or infectious and contagious disease. Sweet Sessions are a great option to provide an alternative type of bodywork when circulatory massage in no longer indicated.

It is difficult to deny service to a client who is ill or not feeling well, perhaps causing their own contraindication.  Providing Sweet Sessions may help massage therapists preserve rather cancel some of their appointments for their most vulnerable clients.

You can read our article about Sweet Sessions™ in full @MassageMag by clicking HERE!

To learn more about a Sweet Session™, please register for training at https://ceinstitute.com/

#massage #massagetherapy #massageprecautions #massagecontraindications

 #massagecontraindication #sweetsession #prenatalmassage #geriatricmassage #geriatric #geriatricbodywork #oncologymassage #oncologybodywork #hivbodywork #aidsbodywork

When most massage therapists think of Shirodhara, they simply think of lots of oil.  However, Shirodhara does not always use oil. In fact, medicated milks which you make yourself plus teas are commonly indicated and used in Shirodhara treatments.

To learn more about our Shirodhara training, please visit:  https://ceinstitute.com/collections/ayurvedic

You can also read our latest article about the economical practice of Shirodhara from Massage Magazine:

#shirodhara #ayurveda #ayurvedic #massage #massagetherapy #massagetherapist #lmt #bodywork #bodyworker #oil #milk #tea #economics #budget #business

Poultice bodywork does not have to be expensive.  You can make your own poultice for much less than store bought products, and homemade poultice can create customized customer experiences as well.

To learn more, please register for training at: https://ceinstitute.com/collections/ayurvedic

Here's our latest "how-to" make your own poultice youtube video and Massage Magazine article published earlier this year: https://youtu.be/2Bym63p7CMs

#poultice #herbalthai #ayurveda #ayurvedic #massage #massagetherapy #massagetherapist #lmt #bodywork #bodyworker #thermaltherapy

by Selena Belisle, CE Institute LLC

Contagious disease is something that everyone should consider when working in a close, person-to-person, service occupation. This includes estheticians, nail technicians, cosmetologists, massage therapists and all staff in a spa or salon setting.

Today, we have a new contagious disease threat with monkeypox.  Monkeypox was first detected as a rare viral disease in Africa in 1958; however, transmission of the virus was thought to only occur with infected animals. Unfortunately, we now know that person-to-person transmission is possible, and this progression with increasing prevalence threatens us today.

The WHO (World Health Organization) labelled monkeypox as a Global Health Emergency on July 23, 2022.  In the United States, monkeypox infections are on the rise with a few thousand cases detected in 46 states (at the time of when this article was printed). Health experts state that monkeypox will not become a worldwide pandemic.  Monkeypox is still a very rare disease; however, it is important to learn about new and increasing contagious threats with monkeypox being our newest.

Monkeypox Transmission

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) states person-to-person transmission of monkeypox primarily occurs through direct contact with body fluids, respiratory secretions during prolonged face-to-face contact and touching parts of the body with monkeypox sores.

In 2018, a few individuals were infected when handling an infected individual’s bed sheets.  That means anyone who changes a treatment table or handles linens which are in direct contact with an infected individual could be exposed at your establishment.

Monkeypox can also be transmitted with infected animals, pregnant women passing the virus to their unborn baby and sexual contact; however, we will only focus this article on what seems to be relevant for salon or spa workers. There is a lot more one could learn about monkeypox beyond what we will share here.

Monkeypox Rash: Blister-like Sores

Monkeypox sores might appear as blister, bump, whitehead, acne, milia, an ingrown hair, sebaceous cyst and other benign possibilities. Past monkeypox pictures usually depict an individual covered in blisters. 

With today’s person-to-person transmission, an infected individual may only exhibit a few random sores.  With less sores, infected individuals might dismiss their illness as something other than monkeypox. The CDC states^[1] that monkeypox sores and symptoms could be confused or misdiagnosed as chickenpox, smallpox, syphilis, herpes, chancroid, and varicella zoster which causes shingles.

Monkeypox sores usually progress through the following stages before eventually subsiding: macules, papules, vesicles, pustules, and eventual scabs. Those who have been infected with monkeypox have described their sores as being very painful.

Monkeypox Signs and Symptoms

Monkeypox symptoms can last from 2 to 4 weeks. Infected individuals can experience a different combination of symptoms. Some could have one or two symptoms while others might experience all of these symptoms and more. The CDC reports^[2] monkeypox symptoms include:

• Fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Backache
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Chills
• Exhaustion
• A rash that can look like pimples or blisters

If you have a client exhibiting a new skin sore or rash with any of these symptoms, you should reconsider providing service until the client obtains a medical diagnosis for their illness. 

How Does Monkeypox Affect a Spa or Salon Worker

There are three areas of concern for spa and salon service providers with monkeypox:

1. Prolonged person-to-person contact is reported to transmit the monkeypox virus through respiratory secretions. Coughing and sneezing respiratory droplets is likely the largest airborne risk of all.
2. Most spa and salon services involve touching the client. According to WHO, monkeypox sores are found on face in 95% of cases, and the palms of the hands and soles of the feet in 75% of cases^[3]. These bodily areas are where the greatest amount of spa and salon services are provided, and monkeypox is reported to be transmitted by touching an infected individual’s sore(s).
3. Touching linens or towels that have come into contact with an infected individual has also been reported to transmit the monkeypox virus. That means even if you did not provide the service, if you touch an infected individual’s clothing, towels or linens, you have been exposed.

How Can I Protect Myself from Monkeypox at Work?

• Work on in-tact, whole skin only. If you see a sore on the skin, ask the client about it. Are they aware of their sore?  Did they already receive a diagnosis for it?  What is their medical diagnosis? Some clients will know if they have a sebaceous cyst, eczema or some other skin disruption.  However, if a client is unaware of their sore, it is best to avoid the area and acceptable to request the client to seek proper medical attention or diagnosis prior to providing service(s).

• Always wear gloves when working intra-orally or around mucous membranes given monkeypox is reported to be transmitted through bodily fluids.

• Wearing a facial masking similar to what has been practiced with COVID-19 may help prevent monkeypox transmission through respiratory secretions.  Using a higher level of protection mask such as a N-95 will provide better filtration for contagious virus than a cloth or other lesser disposable masks.

• Wear a facial mask and gloves when cleaning a treatment area or handling dirty sheets and towels. Be sure to keep the mask over your mouth and nose for the best possible protection.

• Open all available windows and doors when working, cleaning or generally occupying any work area. Keep your workspace well ventilated.

• Follow general service contraindications at all times.

General Service Contraindications

• Service should not be provided when a client has a fever.  Fever is a regular sign of infection, and that infection could be a contagious disease.

• New undiagnosed swelling is a local service contraindication. Service should not be provided to an area where swelling is present.

• Undiagnosed flu-like symptoms are a service contraindication.  Flus and colds are also a contagious viral disease.  If your client shows for service with excessive coughing, sneezing, sore throat or other flue like symptoms, service should be denied even when fever is not present. It is not worth risking exposure to contagious disease because this could be passed onto other clients, coworkers, friends and family, in addition to acquiring the disease yourself.

• New undiagnosed pain is also a service contraindication.  An individual may seek a spa or salon service to help them feel better or take their mind off their pain.  But we would never want someone with a blood clot, kidney stone obstruction or other type of serious illness in our treatment space while they should be in the emergency room. Unfortunately, there is a growing aversion to seek medical care; however, utilizing appropriate medical care is still an important process to being and staying well.

What to do if You Think You’ve Been Exposed

Wash your hands and contact your doctor immediately to discuss your potential exposure. Self-isolate until you receive instructions from your doctor. Your doctor will determine any potential treatment and how long you should self-isolate.

Do not allow anyone in the workspace where potential contamination has occurred, until proper precautions are taken to sanitize the area.

• Here is the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health website with personal protection equipment (PPE) information: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ppe/. 
• Here is information from the CDC of how to clean and disinfect a facility every day, and when someone is sick: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/disinfecting-building-facility.html

If you are diagnosed with monkeypox, assist professionals with contact tracing to notify other potentially exposed individuals in your circle.

The Takeaway

To date, we do not have any reported cases of monkeypox transmission from providing spa or salon services. Monkeypox has affected less than a fraction of one percent of the US population. However, according to the information provided by the CDC, monkeypox cases are on the rise, and transmission could be possible in spa or salon services when there is close prolonged contact with an infected individual.

Spa and salon service providers are generally required to complete basic certification training to obtain licensure in their respective fields. Educational certification usually includes training in pathologies and services contraindications.  Following basic service contraindications and learning about new threats at the workplace can help a practitioner avoid contagious disease. You can obtain more information about monkeypox from the CDC’s website:  https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/index.html

To learn more about massage precautions, etc., please register for quality, affordable, professional training at: https://ceinstitute.com/

^[1] https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/response/2022/index.html#anchor_1653687460218

^[2] https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/symptoms.html

^[3] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/monkeypox

Here is our published Monkeypox update in Massage Magazine: 

by Selena Belisle, Founder/Instructor, CE Institute LLC

Monkeypox is a virus that is new to the United States which can be transmitted from person to person. This is concerning for massage therapists, because it is thought that contact with an individual's skin lesions will transmit the virus.  Fortunately, most massage therapists already know that skin must be whole and intact prior to working on it.

One of the reasons why skin must be intact for massage service is because of the risk of infection, even when a client does not have an infectious condition.  Your integumentary system is part of your physical immunity.  Intact skin helps prevent harmful pathogens from physically entering your body. Pathogens can find almost a direct route to a client's blood circulation when skin is compromised or broken.  Also, our hands cannot be sterilized.  Excellent hand hygiene will never eliminate all bacteria, viruses and pathogens on our hands.  As such, massaging broken skin is not an option because we would be literally introducing all pathogens from our hands, direct into the client's soft tissues, which leads direct to the client's blood stream, not to mention all of the pathogens on the client's own skin would also be introduced.

There are other monkeypox symptoms that could lead a client to a massage establishment office seeking relief.  Luckily, therapists know not to work on clients with fever, or new undiagnosed swelling or pain, which are also side effects and symptoms of monkeypox.

To learn more about massage precautions, etc., please register for quality, affordable, professional training at: https://ceinstitute.com/

Massage Magazine published our article on What Massage Therapists Need to Know About Monkeypox this morning. You can review this article on Massage Magazine's website by clicking HERE. Today's article examines up-to-date information as of Friday, June 3, 2022.  To stay up-to-date, please visit the CDC and WHO organization's websites for the latest information at:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website link for monkeypox information is: https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/index.html

The World Health Organization’s website link for monkeypox information is: https://www.who.int/health-topics/monkeypox#tab=tab_1

#monkeypox #massage #lmt #massagetherapy #massagetherapist #bodywork #bodyworker #contraindications #spa #virus #healthcare #mld #manuallymphaticdrainage

by Selena Belisle, Founder/Instructor, CE Institute LLC

Massage therapy and spa business primarily operates with in-person transactions, where you are face to face with the customer who pays you.  But, sometimes an individual or "representative" pays for a service prior to the appointment with a card in-hand. Unfortunately, in an extremely small majority of times, these massage therapy payments may be illegitimate.  The person has paid with a credit card number that is not there own, and will eventually be challenged and lost when its determined that someone's credit card was illegally used.

The largest scam massage therapists usually face is when someone contacts you stating they want to send a large group of people, or clients for regular appointments for large sums of income. The discussion will then turn to the person requesting your bank information, or asking you to make a payment to a driver or another individual to secure the work.  These are the types of financial scams that massage therapists and spa practitioners primarily face within our industry.  In our experience, we have never seen this type of "opportunity" turn into a legitimate massage therapy work experince.

The e-commerce website company Shopify, has provided new and up-to-date information about e-commerce fraud, including statistics, types of fraud and some identifying factors. While much of what Shopify has written and distributed (below) mostly relates to products and not services, it is great information that may help you avoid some of the the fraudulent trillion dollar business tactics. The following information is direct from Shopify, and edited in some places to show massage and spa industry issues:

In 2021 alone, approximately $20 billion in ecommerce losses were reported in the US due to online payment fraud. North American merchants have seen a 68% increase in fraud attempts throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. 

What is e-commerce fraud?

Ecommerce fraud happens when scammers intercept transactions happening on your online store. Also known as payment fraud, it’s a criminal act in which scammers hijack transactions and steal money from either the customer, the merchant, or both. 

With global ecommerce sales tipped to reach $5.55 trillion in 2022, there’s plenty of opportunity for scammers to hijack customer data and commit fraud. Let’s take a look at the seven types of ecommerce fraud you’re likely contending with an online store: 

Friendly fraud (does happen in the massage industry)

Friendly fraud happens when a customer pays for your massage service, and later files a chargeback with their bank. Shoppers illegitimately claim their they didn't receive the service or some other illegitimate execuse such as they canceled the appointment shortly after placing it. A complaint to their bank prompts an investigation, causing 2.9% of enterprise brands’ ecommerce orders to result in a chargeback.

Card testing fraud (also happens in the massage industry)

Card testing is a tactic fraudsters use to determine whether a stolen credit card works. Scammers often make a small, low-value purchase so the fraudulent transaction goes under the radar of the card holder. Once the card is verified to still work, they go on to make more expensive purchases using the stolen card. 

Card testing is the second most popular type of ecommerce fraud for all merchants. Not only is it frustrating for customers, but should most of your online payments be blocked due to card testing fraud, your business will be subject to extra fees and disputes. 

Refund abuse (not typical in the massage industry)

Refund abuse is a type of ecommerce fraud where customers return broken, damaged, or stolen items to a retailer in exchange for a refund. 

While many merchants have strict return policies that determine what qualifies for a refund, it’s still a costly problem. The National Retail Federation found that retailers lose $5.90 for every $100 in returned merchandise due to this type of fraud. It’s the type of online fraud that saw the biggest increase, with merchants reporting a 60% uplift in refund abuse last year. 

Online payment fraud (does happen in the massage industry)

Online payment fraud happens when scammers steal another person’s payment details and use them to make purchases. I was working in a spa where some young customers walked-in for several hundred dollars of massage and spa services, and then used a credit card that did not belong to them to pay for the services. We received a charge-back.  

Because the customers' spa services exceed $500, we asked for identification with the credit card and the person holding the card stated he did not have his license on him.  His friend who also received a massage appointment offered his identification so we accepted that, and provided this with the chargeback to the police. The police did nothing about it other than take a report and tell us other merchants in the area were subjected to the same fraud with the same group of customers. We were never paid.

Credit card fraud can also result when scammers create duplicate versions of your website and encourage customers to unknowingly purchase items through a fake website. Hijackers recoup their cash and store their credit card number for future scams. 

Retailers worldwide suffer from online payment fraud, though it’s most prevalent in Mexico, where merchants saw a 77% increase in online payment fraud last year. 

Account takeover fraud

Account takeover is a type of fraud that happens when scammers break into a your online account or website to use stored credit card numbers to make fraudulent purchases else where. 

Some 23% of brands experienced account takeover fraud last year, with scammers accessing customer accounts that use weak passwords, phishing emails, or malicious software on the device used to purchase. 

Promo, affiliate, or loyalty abuse

Ecommerce brands use promotion, affiliate, and loyalty programs to attract new customers and engage existing ones. But their popularity means promotions attract scammers who rinse your business of cash through fraud using tactics like:

• Affiliate fraud. Affiliate marketing gives customers who refer friends a percentage commission on their order. However, some affiliates bend the rules. They send spam traffic to the website or use stolen credit cards to get paid out—even though the customers they’ve referred aren't legitimate. 
• Loyalty fraud. Research suggests that $1 billion in rewards value is lost every year to fraud. It happens when customers join your loyalty program, earn points through stolen credit cards, and resell them for a percentage of their value on the dark web.
• Promotion fraud.Almost half of ecommerce businesses have experienced a rise in promo abuse since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. It happens when scammers find loopholes in a retailer’s promotions to claim products for free. 

Triangulation fraud

Ecommerce businesses that sell through various sales channels often fall victim to triangulation fraud. It happens when:

Triangulation fraud is a serious problem for both ecommerce merchants and customers. Marketplace shoppers unknowingly have their credit card details stolen. Retailers also process fraudulent orders without recognizing the invisible middleman using stolen cards and netting the difference between the marketplace price and actual product price. 

• Fraudsters list your products for sale on marketplace such as eBay or Amazon
• Customers purchase the lower-than-RRP item from the scammer using their legitimate credit card
• The scammer uses a separate fraudulent credit card to buy the real product from your store using the customers’ shipping address
• The customer receives their order but their credit card information is compromised

Triangulation fraud is a serious problem for both ecommerce merchants and customers. Marketplace shoppers unknowingly have their credit card details stolen. Retailers also process fraudulent orders without recognizing the invisible middleman using stolen cards and netting the difference between the marketplace price and actual product price.

How to Identify Possible Fraud on Your Website:

Ecommerce fraud is an expensive problem, both in terms of lost revenue from intercepted online orders and customer loyalty. Shoppers are unlikely to return to your website if they were a victim of fraud the last time they purchased through it. 

Here are some red flags to spot possible fraudulent activities on your own website:

• Higher order volumes. Scammers using stolen credit cards often purchase high-ticket items since the cash they’re spending isn’t their own.
• Low value orders. “Be on the lookout for low value transactions, especially if they’re only around $1,” says Ben Hyman, CEO and co-founder of rug brand Revival. “Fraudsters will purchase low value products to see if their stolen card works.”
• Different credit cards. It’s a warning sign when one customer makes several purchases, each using a different credit card. Scammers often do this to test whether stolen credit card details work. 
• Repeated declined transactions. Fraudsters might not have the information they need to make purchases from a stolen card. If a payment declines repeatedly due to security code errors, for example, it’s unlikely to be an honest mistake from a genuine customer.
• Unusual IP locations. Look out for several orders from the same IP address, or suspicious orders from an IP address in a location that isn’t familiar. If most customers are in the US, for example, an attempted high-value order from an IP address in Indonesia is a warning sign of ecommerce fraud. 
• Different billing and shipping addresses. This is especially common with triangulation fraud, where fraudsters use stolen card details to ship items to legitimate customers. 
• PO box shipping addresses. While this type of shipping location is popular with businesses, PO boxes allow scammers to ship online orders to an anonymous location. Be wary of shipping too many orders to a single PO address. 

Here are some fraud prevention strategies to minimize the likelihood of fraud happening through your website. 

1. Manually Review Risky Orders

Ecommerce software exists to flag risky orders. Manually review orders that raise a red flag, reaching out to the customer for further information if you’re unsure whether it’s legitimate. 

If you’ve received a low-value order from an unusual IP location, conduct a manual review and reach out to the customer for further verification. Failing to hear back means there’s a strong chance that the order was made using a stolen credit card. 

Similarly, consult a customer’s purchase history to determine whether a risky transaction is ecommerce fraud. It’s likely not a cause for concern if a shopper who usually makes orders from the US makes one purchase from an IP address in Spain. But there’s a strong chance their account has been compromised if they’re making orders bigger than usual, using a different credit card, from a different location. 

Be vigilant when it comes to new customers. Take a closer look at orders from new customers, and be prepared to cancel or refund them if something looks suspicious.

2. Collect Proof of Delivery

Have your massage and spa clients fill out an intake form prior to the start of service, and detail notes collected about their appointment on the form. This will help show that the service was indeed provided after the fact. While you cannot show actual medical details to others because this would violate HIPAA, having the intake form in the office will help.

You can also provide surveys for your services after the treatment, and ask clients to fill these out to not only improve your practice, but to also show additional proof of receipt of services. Ask a client to mark the form n/a with their initials if they do not want to fill out the form after the fact - it may be hard for the client to say no to such a basic request after such a personal service.

3. Be PCI Compliant

All ecommerce businesses need to meet Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards if they’re processing online payments safely. These PCI compliance standards include:

• Changing the default password for software and systems
• Encrypting cardholder data across open, public networks
• Using antivirus software to prevent malware attacks
• Restricting which employees can access cardholder data
• Regularly testing online security systems 

“Having a firewall between your internet access and any system that stores credit card details is one way to ensure PCI compliance,” says Sina Will, co-founder of Foxbackdrop. “Therefore you must verify that you are adhering to the appropriate PCI requirements to avoid sanctions or penalties.”

4. Post Clear Policies on Your Massage or Spa Website

Post policies on your business website that explain how your business works. Aside from blanket terms and conditions, showcase clear policies on your website to crack down on ecommerce fraud. That includes: 

• Strong password policy. It’s easier for scammers to commit account takeover fraud if a customer’s login details are easy to crack. Alongside two-factor authentication, Stephen Light of mattress brand Nolah recommends a password policy because, “While some customers find password requirements tedious, it makes it much harder for any fraudsters to hack into our customers’ accounts if their passwords are complex.”
• Return policy. Build your case against customers requesting chargebacks or refunds with a solid return policy. Explain what qualifies for a return, the documentation needed, and how it’ll be processed (such as a cash refund, exchange, or store credit).
• Promotions and rewards policies. From limited order quantities to prohibiting the sale of reward points, this type of policy backs up any ecommerce fraud that goes against the terms and conditions of your promotion. 

5. Make Sure You Are Collecting ALL Credit Card Details to Verify Legimate Transactions

A telltale sign of ecommerce fraud is when a customer’s billing, shipping, or card details don’t line up correctly. Automatically identify orders that raise this red flag using verification software, such as:

• Card verification number (CVN). Scammers only need to see the front of a credit card to make fraudulent online purchases. Add the three or four digit PIN (CVN) as a required field on your ecommerce checkout as an added layer of security. It’s the most popular fraud detection feature used by more than half of merchants. 
• Address verification system (AVS). This verifies a customer’s billing address against the card they’re using. As Stephen Light, CEO and co-owner of Nolah says, “Many fraudsters will use multiple cards to make purchases to a single address, so an ASV can catch them out.” 

 6. Use IP Fraud Scoring Tools for Greater Protection

One person can commit several types of fraud using the same computer. Detect those serial fraudsters with IP scoring tools such as SEON or Scamalytics. Each detects an IP address that’s been linked to fraud in the past, using signals like:

• Their location (and whether it matches the country the card is registered in)
• Whether they’re using a VPN to disguise their true location 
• The type of internet service provider, such as a residential or public connection 

Orders placed from an IP with a high fraud score are highlighted, ready to manually review risky orders or automatically block them. 

In summary, these are only a few methods that could help avoid fraudulent transactions. Learning about them is a great start to be able to identify and address them when they happen to hopefully prevent an fraudulent incident. Unfortunately, blocking 100% of fraudulent transactions is likely not possible. And while this is not a total exhaustive list of possible fraudulent exercises, it does provide many different examples where a practitioner could fall as a victim.

Fraud exists because it can be used in new and unthinkable situations so it would be extremely difficult to protect yourself from all fraud.  However, some fraud exists because it has been successfully applied in the past, such as asking a trustring massage therapist to share their bank account information for payment, or pay a driver in advance to drop off spa customers, etc.

We hope this information helps enlighten spa and massage industry staff to help avoid fraudulent transactions. Learning more about fraud is one way to help prevent it.

To learn more, please register for quality, affordable, professional training at: https://ceinstitute.com/

#fraud #preventfraud #spa #spabusiness #massagebusiness #massagepayment #payments #website #healthcare #healthcarepractices #lmt #massage #massagetherapist #massagetherapyethics #bodywork #bodyworker #massagetherapy

There is a website promoting free resources for massage therapists to share to help prevent illicit client solicitations within the industry.  The following information is available at there website which you can view by clicking: https://respectmassage.com/

The website states and we concur:  It would be weird to hang a sign on the front door of your practice saying, “We don’t give happy endings here.” Let Respect Massage do the talking for you. Allow our logo downloads and videos to open up a conversation with the public and your clients about the intentions of your practice.

They also encourage massage therapists to download and post their logo from their website with the following statement. 

Massage therapists that are members of Respect Massage hold themselves to the highest standards of an ethical, boundary-driven practice. Respect Massage members have a zero-tolerance policy for solicitations of any kind. Jokes, innuendo, and inappropriate requests are taken seriously and will result in the swift termination of the session. 

Respect Massage and the ABMP are third party agencies. Neither are affiliated with CE INSTITUTE LLC.  However, we always attempt to share valuable insights and information whenever possible, and this promotion may help save others from uncomfortable if not illegal business situations with unwanted solicitations.

The massage industry has been an unfortunate, vulnerable place for unwanted solicitations. Such practices often create an unsafe space for legitimate massage therapists to operate and work. It is past time to lend a voice and put a stop to unethical and illegal practices, so we hope all will spread this message!

If you are a victim of sexual assault, which in our opinion, includes unwanted solicitation of sexual acts, you can chat anonymously with a support specialist by visiting: https://hotline.rainn.org/online

Please also call 911 if you ever find yourself in danger or feel threatened in any way or by anyone. Safety is paramount for every individual, especially for those who unwillingly find themselves in dangerous or illegal situations. What's most important is to establish your safety first and foremost, and above all else.

To learn more, please register for quality, affordable, professional training at: https://ceinstitute.com/

#respect #respectmassage #ethics #healthcare #healthcarepractices #lmt #massage #massagetherapist #massagetherapyethics #bodywork #bodyworker #massagetherapy #massageethics