Personal Protective Equipment

A Comprehensive Overview of PPE for Massage Therapists and Bodyworkers

The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) will be central to moving forward and reopening your massage or bodywork practice when the time comes. These resources give an overview of the types of PPE that you might use in your practice, along with helpful video demonstrations of how to use them properly, and resources for sourcing PPE for your practice.

Please note that there is currently a shortage of PPE, with most supplies being redirected—rightly so—to frontline workers and health assistance staff (nursing homes, home health aides, etc.) who are still operating without the proper supply of equipment they need to work safely. ABMP believes it’s professionally unethical to divert supplies from this delicate supply chain for non-emergency equipment requests at this time. Consider other options for face coverings for you and your clients in the interim.

Video overview:

2:07 Types of PPE
- 2:20 Gown/Uniform
- 2:48 Facial Protection
  - 2:59 Cloth Face Coverings
  - 3:33 Face Masks
  - 4:10 Respirators (N95s)
- 5:31 Eye Protection & Face Shields
- 5:58 Gloves
6:30 Donning and Doffing PPE
- 7:01 Donning and Doffing a Face Covering
- 8:11 Donning and Doffing a Face Mask
- 8:56 Donning and Doffing a Respirator (N95)
- 10:32 Donning and Doffing Gloves

ABMP Resources

CDC Resources

Ohio Adopts Interstate Massage Compact

06/28/2024

The Ohio legislature adopted Senate Bill 56 on June 21, becoming the second state to enact the Interstate Massage Compact. Massage therapists will soon be able to obtain a multistate license that will reduce holdups and delays that often occur when moving to a different state.

US Department of Education 150% Rule Update

06/24/2024

A federal judge has granted a preliminary injunction that halts the enforcement of the US Department of Education’s new Bare Minimum Rule, also known as the “100% rule,” until the court takes further action. This is the first step in what could be a lengthy battle to ultimately delay enforcement of the rule, providing schools more time to adjust their programmatic standards, or overturn the rule altogether. Find out more and what your school needs to do to prepare.

Colorado Bill Requires Local Background Checks

06/21/2024

Governor Jared Polis signed into law House Bill 24-1371, requiring local government (counties, cities, or municipalities) to conduct periodic criminal background checks for massage establishment operators, owners, and employees.