Chiropractic and Massage: Clarification from LARA
This Definitive Information from the Department Should Clear Up the Numerous Misconceptions and Speculation Once and For All As you know, there have been numerous rumors and outright incorrect information out there regarding chiropractors and the provision of chiropractic massage in their practices. In an effort to clear things up, we have been in frequent contact with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). Yesterday, we received the following from the Department [ Emphasis added]: Thank you for contacting the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) regarding your question on which professions may re-start and/or expand their medical services.
Please be aware of the following:
Facilities offering non-essential personal care services must remain closed under EO 2020-110. “Non-essential personal care services” includes hair, nail, tanning, massage, traditional spa, tattoo, body art, and piercing services, and similar personal care services that involve close contact of persons. This does not include services necessary for medical treatment as determined by a licensed medical provider which are performed in a health care setting.
The rescission of EO 2020-17 allows outpatient health care facilities, ambulatory care settings, physician offices, dental offices, and veterinary medicine to no longer postpone non-essential procedures. However, it does not permit spa services or other personal care services performed in non-health care settings to resume.
Specifically as it relates to Chiropractic Medicine… these services may fully resume their health care services which are offered at an outpatient health care facility such as an ambulatory care setting, surgical center, medical clinic, physician office and within a health care setting. Regarding massage therapy, licensees who work as an employee in a health care setting such as for a Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine and treating patients are allowed to work so long as they are providing massage therapy in a health care setting (i.e. outpatient health care facility, ambulatory care setting, physician office, health care clinic, etc.).
A massage therapist shall not be providing personal care services and working in a non-health care setting such as a salon, spa, wellness center, etc. Please be aware that employers who are re-starting safely and/or expanding their services must follow Executive Orders and have safety/infection control protocols in place.
For additional information and to review the FAQ for Outpatient Health Care Facilities and Guidance for Ambulatory Care Settings visit: www.michigan.gov/lara.
We trust that this definitive guidance from the regulatory agency governing both chiropractic and massage therapy – guidance that confirms what we have been telling our members and massage therapists all along – will end once and for all the speculation and misinformation being offered regarding massage.
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