Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/640605
CLOTHES ENCOUNTERS Licensing Realities Always stay in tune with your state's (or other licensing agency's) wardrobe requirements. Are you allowed to practice barefoot? Are sleeveless shirts OK? What about shorts? Are there other prohibited articles of clothing mentioned in your licensing rules (spaghetti straps, crop tops, or cut-off shorts, for example)? These considerations may have been covered in your massage therapy classes, but those of us who have been licensed for many years still need to stay current with changes that may have been made to statutes since we graduated from massage school. Self-employed therapists have a greater degree of freedom in wardrobe choices than corporate employees, but we're all at the discretion of our licensing agencies, no matter what our employment arrangement. Functional Footwear An MT's footwear choice is not only dependent on his or her personal style, but also on his or her unique physical requirements. Having studied anatomy, physiology, and the structural mechanics of how our bodies work, we know we each have our own needs in this area. While some MTs prefer to work barefoot or in stocking feet, this can make it difficult to establish traction with the floor, can appear unprofessional to some clients, and may even be in violation of health codes. If you are an MT who prefers to work without shoes, be sure to study your state's licensing requirements, and make sure your footwear choice (or lack thereof ) doesn't put your license in jeopardy or make you susceptible to a fine. Your state likely has requirements regarding whether shoes must be worn and what types of shoes are permitted (open-toe shoes, flip- flops, or other types of casual footwear may be prohibited). C h e c k o u t A B M P 's l a t e s t n e w s a n d b l o g p o s t s . Av a i l a b l e a t w w w. a b m p . c o m . 85