I am certified in instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization, am I allowed to do this with clients?
I am a full time physical therapist assistant and I have been certified in Graston for 4 years. I just started personal training as a second job and I am aware when I am training clients, I am not allowed to treat or diagnose injuries. I was wondering since I am certified in Graston if I will be able to offer instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization to my clients as well? I can not find much information online. Thank you!
Martin’s point is excellent, and it is one that can be answered without contacting a lawyer.
The other thing you could do without incurring a charge, and something you should do in any case is call your insurance carrier. You should not do personal training, or physical therapy, or any form of body treatment without insurance. Are you doing training at a club, or independently? If at a club you need to talk to the club owner about who insures and whether you will be covered if offering additional services. If you are independent you need to ask the company that covers you for personal training whether they will cover you for the additional services. Their answer will also be helpful for figuring out the legalities of your situation.
Good luck
The question that comes to my mind is, are you able to use your assisted soft tissue mobilization without being under the direction of a physical therapist? Just as being a physical therapy assistant requires a physical therapist to give the assistant the exercises, etc. that a person is to be doing, you may need to use your ASTM training as part of guided therapy.
That is what you need to find out. Does your ASTM cert allow you to work without the prescription from a licensed therapist?
Thank you all for the advice and tips! If possible, I would like to avoid seeing a lawyer due high fees (At least for now). When I work as a physical therapist assistant, I do have patients sign a separate waiver before performing Graston. Are there waivers/liability forms available online before training a client (for independent trainers)?
I’m not sure if you need to go as far as contacting a lawyer unless you want him or her to re write a legal document/liability waiver for you
If you want to use this technique it would be advisable to have a contract and signed understanding from your clients. You can offer it as needed or within a package of services also.