2021 Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations
Chapter 460 - Massage therapy and bodywork therapy.
460.01 - Definitions.

460.01 Definitions. In this chapter:

(1g) “Adjunctive therapy" means any of the following:

(a) The use of a device that simulates or enhances a manual action.

(b) The application of water, lubricants, or other nonprescription topical agents to the skin.

(c) The application of heat or cold to the skin in the absence of an electromagnetic device.

(1r) “Affiliated credentialing board" means the massage therapy and bodywork therapy affiliated credentialing board.

(2m) “License holder" means a person granted a license under this chapter.

(3) “Manual action" includes holding, positioning, rocking, kneading, compressing, decompressing, gliding, or percussing the soft tissue of the human body or applying a passive range of motion to the human body without joint mobilization or manipulation.

(4) “Massage therapy" or “bodywork therapy" means the science and healing art that uses manual actions and adjunctive therapies to palpate and manipulate the soft tissue of the human body in order to improve circulation, reduce tension, relieve soft tissue pain, or increase flexibility. “Massage therapy" or “bodywork therapy" includes determining whether manual actions and adjunctive therapies are appropriate or contraindicated, or whether a referral to another health care practitioner is appropriate. “Massage therapy" or “bodywork therapy" does not include making a medical, physical therapy, or chiropractic diagnosis.

(6) “Sexual contact" has the meaning given in s. 939.22 (34).

(7) “Sexual intercourse" has the meaning given in s. 948.01 (7) (a).

History: 2001 a. 74; 2009 a. 12, 355; 2017 a. 364.