Personal Protective Equipment

A Comprehensive Overview of PPE for Massage Therapists and Bodyworkers 

The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) will be central to moving forward and reopening your massage or bodywork practice when the time comes. These resources give an overview of the types of PPE that you might use in your practice, along with helpful video demonstrations of how to use them properly, and resources for sourcing PPE for your practice.

Please note that there is currently a shortage of PPE, with most supplies being redirected—rightly so—to frontline workers and health assistance staff (nursing homes, home health aides, etc.) who are still operating without the proper supply of equipment they need to work safely. ABMP believes it’s professionally unethical to divert supplies from this delicate supply chain for non-emergency equipment requests at this time. Consider other options for face coverings for you and your clients in the interim.

Video overview:

  • 2:07 Types of PPE
    • 2:20 Gown/Uniform
    • 2:48 Facial Protection
      • 2:59 Cloth Face Coverings
      • 3:33 Face Masks
      • 4:10 Respirators (N95s)
    • 5:31 Eye Protection & Face Shields
    • 5:58 Gloves
  • 6:30 Donning and Doffing PPE
    • 7:01 Donning and Doffing a Face Covering
    • 8:11 Donning and Doffing a Face Mask
    • 8:56 Donning and Doffing a Respirator (N95)
    • 10:32 Donning and Doffing Gloves

ABMP Resources

CDC Resources

 

News

Gainful Employment Rules Compliance Updates

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New Study Reconfirms the Benefits of Touch

A recent study found that touch interventions were effective in helping regulate cortisol levels, reducing feelings of depression in adults, and having other significant benefits.

Louisiana Bill Proposes Massage Program Hour Increase

Effective October 1, 2024, Louisiana massage students will no longer be eligible for federal financial aid because massage programs are limited by Louisiana law. But there is a solution: Senate Bill 353 will increase the required education hours for massage licensure from 500 to 625. ABMP fully supports this bill, and we explain why you should too.

Blog

ABMP CE Summit: Headaches

 Headaches.

Join us online Tuesday, April 30, 2024, for the ABMP CE Summit: Headaches, which take learners on a journey from understanding headaches to working with clients with headache pain using multiple modalities and techniques.

Benefits

Podcast: Cancer, Clots, and COVID—A Complicated Client

A client was recently treated for colon cancer—and it didn’t go well. She had surgical complications, a bout of sepsis, and more. Is massage therapy safe? We discuss on this episode of “I Have a Client Who . . .” Pathology Conversations with Ruth Werner.

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