“The physician must be acquainted with many things and assuredly with anatripsis.”(massage)

- Hippocrates Aphorisms 400B.C.E.

Massage as a profession is both a science and an art. To use touch as therapy, there must be science to verify its efficacy. To use touch therapy, the therapist must trust their intuition (the ability to bring subconscious information into conscious awareness). It is important to maintain the art (craft, skill, technique, and talent) of massage by recognizing the validity of intuitional expression. The scientific art of therapeutic massage depends on the development of a concept or idea, the testing of the idea through research, and the use of skill and talent in applying the craft through its various techniques. These attributes make massage unique in today’s health care system.

The massage profession has these characteristics:

1. A specialized body of knowledge - Massage is the oldest form of treatment in the world. Massage methods are grounded in historical foundations and current research validates this body of knowledge. You could devote a lifetime to study all the many aspects of massage.
   
   
2. Extensive training - Current standards in Florida are 500 and 750 contact hours. Judging from data collected from actual job duties and current trends, 1000 contact hours is more appropriate for supporting professional development.
   
   
3. An orientation toward service - The dictionary definition of service that best applies is “to meet a need”. It is the motivating factor to become a massage therapist, and this desire to meet a need is felt in a massage professional’s touch.
   
   
4. A commonly accepted code of ethics - Generally expressed by our laws and scope of practice.  Florida State Statutes Chapter 480, Florida Administrative Code Chapter 64B-7.
   
   
5. Legal recognition through certification or licensure by a professional association - National certification by the NCBTMB: National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, and the FSMTB: Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards. Licensure is through the Florida Board of Massage Therapy under the Department of Health.
   
   
6. A professional association - American Massage Therapist Association, Florida State Massage Therapy Association, International Massage Association, American Professional Massage and Bodywork Association, and others.