WHY MASSAGE THERAPISTS NEED SOAP NOTES

A soap (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and plan) note is a type of document used by many health care providers including massage therapists to record the client’s information. SOAP notes for massage therapists are used by massage therapists to document massage therapy sessions with their clients or patients. The basic format of SOAP notes entails the following.

  • S-Subjective. This section entails information about the patient’s symptoms. The patient clearly explains what type of massage he wants for instance if it is a relaxation massage it will be stated here.
  • O-Objective. This part includes the therapist’s findings and observable information made. It can entail information such as temperature, swelling, muscle tone among others.
  • A-Assessment. Here the therapist evaluates the client’s response to the massage.
  • P-Plan. This section includes the therapist’s instructions which he will give the client during the next visit and preparations for their next visit.

HEREBY IS A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE IMPORTANCE OF SOAP NOTES

HELPS TO ORGANIZE AND PLAN THE MASSAGE TREATMENT

SOAP notes play a vital role in the planning session before a massage. The therapist can have a structured approach because everything is well illustrated. The client can get services with no disruptions because everything is done in a certain order. The therapist can get the required equipment in place before the whole process begins.

AIDS IN MONITORING THE CLIENTS PROGRESS

After the therapist conducts the massage he can track the client’s condition using the SOAP notes. The therapist can assess the client to determine whether the end goals have been achieved.

USED AS A LEGAL DOCUMENT

In case of accusations from the client regarding further injury, SOAP notes can be used to document your massage interventions.SOAP notes can be used as personal liability in case of such accusations.

IT IS A COMMUNICATION TOOL

SOAP notes are used for communication purposes with the client and other medical practitioners. If you are a therapist in a multi-therapist clinic and the senior massage therapist requests to have a follow-up on your massage services, then SOAP notes are the ideal document to provide.

USED FOR FUTURE REFERENCE

SOAP note documents need to be stored safely such that the information is not distorted. Good record-keeping helps you remember the client’s previous visits and in the case of any offers available to esteemed clients then the client can get the offer.

USED IN RESEARCH RELATED TO MASSAGE TREATMENTS

Information in the SOAP notes can be used by researchers to research massage treatment.

To sum up, SOAP notes play a crucial role in massage therapy. As seen above the article clearly outlines the importance of SOAP notes and massage therapists are encouraged to draft one before any massage session. This will help them become outstanding and exceptional experts in the field. SOAP notes will also help them create a rapport with their clients.

ARE SOAP NOTES NECESSARY IN MASSAGE THERAPY?

It is worth mentioning that there are times when SOAP notes will be required and when they are not. So you need to consider your company’s rules, regulations, and standards to be sure to meet their expectations.