2006 Louisiana Laws - RS 37:3552 — Definitions

§3552.  Definitions

As used in this Chapter:

(1)  "Board" means the Louisiana Board of Massage Therapy.  

(2)  "Department" means the Department of Health and Hospitals.  

(3)  "Massage establishment" means any place of business in which massage therapy is practiced by a massage therapist.  

(4)  "Massage therapist" means an individual who practices or administers massage therapy to a patron of either gender for compensation.  The term shall include a therapeutic massage practitioner, massage technician, masseur, masseuse, or any derivation of those titles.  

(5)  "Massage therapy" means the manipulation of soft tissue for the purpose of maintaining good health and establishing and maintaining good physical condition.  The term shall include effleurage (stroking), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (percussion), compression, vibration, friction, (active/passive range of motion), Shiatsu, and acupressure, either by hand, forearm, elbow, foot, or with mechanical appliances for the purpose of body massage.  Massage therapy may include the use of lubricants such as salts, powders, liquids, creams, (with the exception of prescriptive or medicinal creams), heat lamps, whirlpool, hot and cold pack, salt glow, or steam cabinet baths.  It shall not include electrotherapy, laser therapy, microwave, colonic therapy, injection therapy, or manipulation of the joints.  Equivalent terms for massage therapy are massage, therapeutic massage, massage technology, Shiatsu, body work, or any derivation of those terms.  As used in this Chapter, the terms "therapy" and "therapeutic" shall not include diagnosis, the treatment of illness or disease, or any service or procedure for which a license to practice medicine, chiropractic, physical therapy, or podiatry is required by law.  

(6)  "Massage therapy instructor" means an individual who is licensed as a massage therapist, who possesses credentials satisfactory to the board and who meets criteria established by the board pursuant to rule.  

(7)  "Person" means an individual, corporation, association, or other legal entity.  

Acts 1992, No. 753, §2, eff. Sept. 1, 1992.