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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Deliver a therapeutic massage treatment to a patient 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
262447  Deliver a therapeutic massage treatment to a patient 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Integrated Health Professions 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services Promotive Health and Developmental Services 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  40 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard will enable learners to deliver patient-specific therapeutic massage treatments in a wide range of situations. Learners must be able to comfortably deliver a therapeutic massage treatment any setting or site including clinic situations, both mobile and fixed, hospital units, community health centres, non-therapeutic environments.

Learners credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Initiate a therapeutic massage treatment programme.
  • Prepare a patient for a therapeutic massage treatment.
  • Apply relaxation techniques within therapeutic massage treatment.
  • Apply therapeutic massage techniques.
  • Monitor patient's response to treatments. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Communication at NQF Level 4.
  • Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    N/A 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Initiate a therapeutic massage treatment programme. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The therapeutic massage treatment programme is presented to the patient and the patient's expectations of the treatment are clarified and/or confirmed in terms of the specific benefits and limitations of the proposed treatment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The patient's rights are explained with reference to their basic human rights including the right to confidentiality and to discontinue treatment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The specific features of the treatment are described and/or demonstrated to the patient with reference to their nature and purpose and patient comfort with the proposed treatment is confirmed. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Therapeutic massage features may include:
  • Positioning of the patient, action of the therapist, sensations patients may experience, feedback required at each stage.

    Patient comfort includes:
  • Body supports, angle and incline.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Prepare a patient for a therapeutic massage treatment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Patient is positioned for the proposed treatment in terms of patient's comfort, the particular treatment regime, and the optimum working position for the therapist. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Positioning includes:
  • Appropriate foot and leg support; angle of incline of patient, the area to be treated in a comfortable working position.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Contact with the patient is professional and promotes confidence and openness to treatment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The area to be treated is identified, and the patient is draped so that only the treatment areas are exposed for optimum access by the therapist, without compromising the personal dignity and comfort of the patient. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Treatment is conducted throughout in a manner that respects the particular requirements of the patient in terms of their cultural norms. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Apply relaxation techniques within therapeutic massage treatment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Leg stretch techniques are applied at appropriate stages of the treatment when need indicated. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Passive movement techniques are applied at appropriate stages of the treatment when need indicated. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Passive movement techniques:
  • Body rocking, balancing, stroking movements to body.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The therapeutic treatment is performed in accordance with specific treatment techniques and methods appropriate to the patient's individual requirements and sound ergonomic principles. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Ergonomic principles include:
  • Stance and posture, utilisation of body weight and breathing techniques.
     
    		•

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Apply therapeutic massage treatment techniques. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The therapeutic treatment is performed in accordance with the basic concept of massage method appropriate to the patient's individual requirement. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Therapeutic massage techniques are selected and applied to appropriate parts of the body and stage of the treatment in accordance with the treatment plan. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Massage techniques include:
  • Effleurage, petrissage, circular movement, compression, vibration, friction.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Speed of delivery of the therapeutic massage treatment is modified according to the required rhythmic flow and the comfort of the patient. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Monitor patient's response to treatments. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Patient's progress is monitored during treatment by means of post-treatment feedback and reviewed in terms of response to specific treatments. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Treatment progression is monitored over a specified period.

    Feedback includes:
  • Human interaction and the actual treatment.
     
    		•

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Deviations from expected norms are identified and monitored in terms of response to the treatment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Information gathered during treatments is critically analysed against the original assessment, and required adjustments are made. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Revised treatment and desired outcomes are discussed with the patient in terms of future treatment, and/or patient actions and choices. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA by SAQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identifying and solving problems and making decisions using critical and creative thinking are demonstrated by the learner's ability to identify the best treatment for specific situations. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Working effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community is demonstrated by the learner's ability to assist the patient in the treatment. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organising and managing oneself and ones activities responsibly and effectively are demonstrated by the learner's ability to provide a meaningful treatment. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information is demonstrated by the learner's ability to identify the best treatment for specific situations. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicating effectively, using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations is demonstrated by the learner's ability to communicate with the patient and receive feedback. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Using science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others is demonstrated by the learner's ability to use specific techniques to satisfy patient requirements. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation is demonstrated by the learner's ability to select appropriate treatment techniques for specific requirements. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
  • Prospective therapists are required to demonstrate their competence over 200 hours of therapeutic massage treatments and reflect treatment progression over a minimum of four treatments.
  • Experiential learning: Perform 40 treatments in real life settings under supervision.
  • Demonstrate patient specific therapeutic massage treatment, in situ, under supervision of a registered therapist.
  • Demonstrate independent critical thinking. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  65609   National Diploma: Allied Health Therapies  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2012-06-30   


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.