Rules & Categories

11 USAMC CATEGORIES WITH SPECIFICS (11/28/23)

1. Swedish massage

Please declare if you are doing Western Swedish or Classic European Swedish. Classical European Swedish is not a recognized IMA sub category, but it is the original Swedish massage and the original “Orthopedic Massage.”

Western Swedish: This modern version (late 1800s-now) of Swedish massage should contain the basic techniques Effleurage, Petrissage, Tapotment, Friction and Vibration. • Declare “relaxation” or “therapeutic.” Tools are allowed (recommended for maximum 20%)

Stretching and forearms are allowed (recommended for maximum 20%). If you are using more than 20% tools, forearms or stretching, then you need to be in the Wellness Category. • Is mostly performed on a massage table, but can be done on a floor mattressIf on Massage Chair the participant should choose the Chair massage category. Innovation will be a big criteria with this sub-modality. This sub-modality is effectively “Western Freestyle Light” with less stretching flare and less new innovative techniques, or “Wellness” with less tools and flash.

Classic European Swedish Massage: This original Swedish modality was developed by founding-fathers Ling, Metzger, Mennell and Cyriax (codified and canonized mid 1700s to the mid 1900s). It uses the basic techniques above. Direction of fluids is guided by the “Uncorking-the-bottle” theory (Mennell). Depth of tissue is guided by the progressive Three Degrees of Petrissage and range of motion. In this category there are no tools, no stools, no stretching, no forearms, no kneeling. Techniques should be complete, clean and flow seamlessly from one technique to another. Ergonomics are extremely important – no ankle shearing, ulnar pressing, wrist extension/carpal pressing or leaning on the table. Tai Chi stance/posture/movement while being grounded to the earth is integral (Ling). Tapotment timing should make sense and contain multiple hand postures to fit the area and purpose. Declare “relaxation” or “therapeutic.” Innovation is not as important as perfect technique, flow and ergonomics in this sub-modality.

2.   Sports massage

Please declare that you are doing either pre-event or post-event • Stretching and mobilization of joints in combination with massage techniques is allowed (recommended for maximum 30%) • Use of tools is allowed (recommended for maximum 30%) • It is mostly performed on a massage table or mattress • If on Massage Chair the participant should choose the Chair massage category

3. Wellness massage

It includes all services that are provided in spa and wellness centers such as Cellulite therapy, Hot stones massage, Bamboo and other wellness techniques. • Stretching is allowed • Mobilization of joint is allowed • The use of special equipment like stones, bamboo, cups is allowed • It can be performed on a massage table as well as on mattress • If on Massage Chair the participant should choose the Chair massage category

4. Thai Massage

Techniques used in this style aim to relaxation and to the treatment of musculoskeletal as well as psychological issues. • Use of tools is allowed (recommended for maximum 20%) • Stretching is allowed • The receiver is mostly fully clothed • The use of oil is allowed (recommended for maximum 20%) • It is mostly performed on a mattress but can be done on a massage table • Mobilization of joint is allowed • Shoes is not allowed in Thai massage • If on Massage Chair the participant should choose the Chair massage category

5. Freestyle Massage (Eastern Inspired)

Techniques that are derived from Eastern massage styles such as Shiatsu, Thai massage, Tui na, Acupressure and Reflexology as well other Asian techniques. • Use of tools is allowed (recommended for maximum 50%) • Stretching is allowed • Mobilization of joint is allowed • The use of oil is allowed • It is performed on a mattress or on a massage table • If on Massage Chair the participant should choose the Chair massage category

6. Freestyle Massage (Western Inspired)

Techniques that are derived from Western massage styles such as Swedish massage, Myofacial release, Muscle energy techniques, Sports massage, California massage and other Western techniques. • Use of tools is allowed (recommended for maximum 50%) • Stretching is allowed • Mobilization of joint is allowed • The use of oil is allowed. It is performed on a mattress or on a massage table • If on Massage Chair the participant should choose the Chair massage category

7. Chair Massage

The style is mostly performed with the receiver sitted on a special chair. Techniques that are derived from both Western and Eastern inspired massage techniques such as Sweidsh massage, Thai massage, Shiatsu, Hot stones, as well as many other techniques. • Use of tools is allowed • Stretching is allowed • Mobilization of joint is allowed • The use of oil is allowed • It is performed on a chair Facial massage It includes all Facial techniques such as Kobido, Japanese Facelifting, Swedish, Wellness as well as many other techniques and services that are provided in spa and wellness centers. • Use of tools is allowed • Stretching is allowed • Mobilization of joint is allowed • The use of oil is allowed • Massage of neck, chest and arms is allowed (recommended for maximum 20%)

8.  Facial Massage

Japanese facelifting, Gua Sha, Classical facial spa treatment etc. It includes all Facial techniques such as Kobido, Japanese Facelifting, Swedish, Wellness as well as many other techniques and 3 Championships other than state championships allow non-massage therapists to enter this category. USAMC’s goal of promoting massage therapist and increasing our numbers, will not allow this at this time. All USAMC sanctioned state Facial Massage contestants must be licensed massage therapists.

9.  Body Contouring

New IMA category to be debuted at the WMC 2024 – no information available at this time.

10.  Student/New LMT (under two years)

This is not an IMA category. It is a new USAMC approved category. You may use any IMA-modality (categories 1-9 above) or combination of techniques while competing under this category heading. Your scores for this category will be ranked nationally under “Student/New LMT” and not under the modality that you decided to use.

11.  Clinical Challenge Category – 60 minutes + interviews

This is not an IMA category. It is a new USAMC approved category. You may use any IMA-modality (categories 1-9 above) or combination of techniques while competing under this category heading. Your scores for this category will be ranked nationally under “Clinical” and not under the modality that you decided to use.

You must show that you can …

  • Assess and treat a problem area
  • Demonstrate/explain how and why the treatment type was a good choice
  • Exhibit efficacy

The event coordinators will randomly select the receivers with their areas of complaint. If a receiver says that they have no area of complaint, it is up to the therapist(contestant) to make the judges aware of this so that they can get a new body to work on. The championship will not provide any necessary items for client intake or assessment. The therapist must be able to attain any necessary information to treat during their interview. Time will be called at the start of the 60 minutes and not again until the end. The therapist is expected to manage his/her own time appropriately and be able to keep time for themselves in this category. The participants will have 60 minutes to compete. If the therapist ends early (before 60 min), points will be taken off in the “Flow” criteria.

  • Assess the receiver’s health/condition and develop an appropriate on-the-fly treatment protocol. This can be done through a written intake, verbal intake, physical assessment, and other metrics needed. Tools, computers, and resource manuals may be used.
  • Execute an appropriate protocol for the client’s pathologies and/or deficiencies reported or discovered.
  • Reassess the receiver after the treatment (efficacy) and communicate a further treatment plan if needed.

After this sixty minute bell is called for the END of the round….

Clinical Category written by Melissa Strautman August ‘23, editorial contributions from Robert Tiberend and Nathan Nordstrom

  • The client will get dressed (5min) and stay at the massage table.
    • The therapists will say goodbye to their clients after they have made sure their client is dressed and able to get up. If the therapist fails to see to this detail, points will be taken off in the “Client Contact” criteria.
    • The therapist will then leave the room to finalize any thoughts they may wish to write. The judges will now interview each therapist privately for approximately 5 minutes or less.
    • The therapists may show any assessment tools or post-treatment evaluations and/or follow- up documentation at this time.
    • The judges will at least ask these five relevant questions to the therapist
      • What was the client’s complaint or Area of Focus (AOF)?
      • What specific techniques did you use?
      • What did you find? Were there any surprises? How did that alter your original treatment plan?
      • Did you fix the problem (pain scale)?
      • What SPECIFIC instructions or recommendations did you ACTUALLY give your client? [Judges: Do not ask vague questions like, “What should the client do next?”]

The participant interviews are meant to be very specific to the treatment and brief. This is not time for judges to give feedback or make any suggestion – just to gather information pertinent to their ability to give an accurate score.

FOR THE TRAINING OF JUDGES, CHAMPIONSHIP DIRECTORS AND USE IN CHAMPIONSHIP PREP CLASSES

Round Cards – Write “Clinical” as the category and write “N/A” as the IMA category.

How do the IMA criteria apply to this category?

●      Techniques 1-20:

  1. How many techniques – not as important as “how effective” the technique is. However, just doing manual massage will not be as good/advanced as using multiple techniques such as manual massage with some tools, mobilization, stretching, breathing, assessment, communication, etc.
  • Variations of each technique – for addressing the client’s unique/complex problems or limitations. Example: if the client were kicked by a horse (closed, indented wound with distal swelling), you’d use two types of Kinesio Tape® application: mechanical correction (classic) at the indention and an FP-EDF (not classic) or fan cut for the swelling depending on the stage of injury (acute, sub- acute, chronic).
  • Combination of techniques – appropriate use of multiple techniques performed at a high level. These techniques may be standard or innovative for our industry. The therapist must be able to explain every aspect and purpose of the technique or combination of techniques and their planned or realized effects on the client’s issue.

●      Ergonomics 1-10:

  • Table height
  • Power transmission from therapist to client – Is it appropriate for the issue and the client?
  • Therapist’s body alignment
  • Client positioning – important for access to the area of focus, comfort, and effectiveness of the proposed treatment. Example: reducing tension in a hypertonic Trapezius using Graston Technique’s® GT1 is better done seated than prone. When you measured the angle of a joint, was the client weight-bearing? Did you put the muscle on stretch when taping for an overactive muscle?

●      Flow 1-5:

  • Rhythm – This is the least important sub-criterion of a Clinical massage.
  • Transitioning – grip to grip, hand to tool (did the therapist fumble, or was there a lot of dead time that didn’t make sense?)
  • Work/treatment within the time frame (60min) A very efficient and thorough therapist may not need a full 15 minutes to do an intake or reassessment, thus leaving them more time for treatment. A less capable therapist may be unable to do an intake/assessment, develop/deliver a protocol, and reassessment/ recommendations in an hour.
  • Innovation 10: – Many advanced clinical techniques are available for therapists, but how have you mastered them, and then how have you made them your own? How have you made those techniques work better for you and the client? Elevating oneself in this criteria shows a therapist’s clinical development stages that move from novice, to advanced beginner, to competent, to proficient, and then to expert.
  • Development of new moves
  • Innovation through your own unique style
  • Style combinations
  • Client Contact 1-20: – No matter the stage of a therapist’s proficiency in a given modality or technique, this criteria has to be solid.
  • Insight and empathy – Do they listen to the client and ask good questions?
  • Technique versus the client. For example, an elderly, thin-skinned person would need Kinesio Tex Gold Light Touch+ and not the stronger Classic tape.
  • Pressure and depth versus the client
  • Therapist’s…
    • Workwear – Is it neat, clean, and odor free? Does it represent the modality? Wearing a cat t-shirt has nothing to do with Sports massage, whereas a Relay-for-life may, and a Nike shirt definitely would. Does it get in the way or distract?
    • Tools – Is the therapist competent and/or qualified to use their tools? Can they explain them? Are they clean (sheets, towels, cups, etc.)? Do they have sanitary wipes/gel, etc? Do they have tools to evaluate the client’s issue?
    • Accessories (ex., presentation components/table) – judges should not take off for a therapist not having this. However, having a presentation shows another level of communication of the therapist’s art and intention. Presentations should represent the modality or treatment and not be a show of the therapist’s personal likes or personality (i.e., cat sheets, cat figurines, etc.)
    • Draping of the client – failure in this area (exposure by the therapist, thin sheets, or loose draping) is unacceptable in a clinical setting.
  • Efficacy 1-10: out-take, degree of improvement to to specific area of focus.
  • Hot Seat 1-10: Presented SOAP note (we will not take off points if they do not have), answers to the Q&A