Welcome to the official Rules & Regulations page for The National Massage Championship (NMC) 2024. We are committed to ensuring a Fair, Transparent, and Professional competition environment. Below you will find detailed guidelines and criteria that all participants must adhere to.
General Rules & Regulations
1. Eligibility: Participants must be professional massage therapists with appropriate qualifications. The competition is open to both national and international entries.
2. Registration: All participants must complete the entry form and submit it by the specified deadline. Ensure that all information is accurate and complete.
3. Code of Conduct: Participants are expected to conduct themselves professionally at all times. Respect for fellow competitors, judges, and organizers is paramount.
4. Judging Criteria: Judges will evaluate participants based on specific criteria relevant to each category. Detailed score sheets will be provided to ensure transparency.
5. Equipment and Supplies: We provide Massage Tables for each participant kindly sponsored by Massage Warehouse. Participants are responsible for bringing their own equipment and supplies, (chairs, sheets/towels, oils and any tools permitted within their category.) If specific equipment is needed, please request it during registration.
6. Health and Safety: All treatments must be performed in a manner that ensures the safety and well-being of the model. Proper hygiene and sanitation practices must be followed.
7. Disqualification: Failure to adhere to the rules and regulations can result in disqualification. This includes but is not limited to, unprofessional behavior, non-compliance with category-specific rules, or failure to follow health and safety protocols.
Category-Specific Rules
Advanced/Clinical Massage: 1-hour massage using advanced techniques such as deep tissue, remedial/sports techniques, MFR, NMT, trigger points, mobilization, and Swedish Massage. No manipulations allowed. Tools like cupping (dry/fire, not wet), dry needling, massage guns, and moxibustion are permitted in the Medical/Clinical subcategory if there are 5+ entries.
Freestyle Massage: 1-hour massage inspired by Western or Eastern modalities. Tools such as hot stones, bamboo sticks, Thai tools, singing bowls, reflexology tools, cupping, and acupuncture are allowed.
Swedish/Deep Tissue Massage: 1-hour massage using classic Swedish or deep tissue techniques. No advanced movements or tools allowed. Lomi Lomi Massage will be a subcategory if there are 5+ entries.
Spa/Wellness Massage: 1-hour massage using classical Swedish, beauty, and spa-style techniques. No advanced massage techniques are allowed.
Facial Massage: 45-minute to 1-hour facial massage with or without tools and products.
Eastern Massage: 1-hour massage using Eastern medical systems, including Traditional Thai Massage, Thai Yoga massage, Shiatsu, Ayurveda, and techniques from Indonesia and Polynesia. Tools like singing bowls, scarves, bamboo sticks, and stones are allowed. No acupuncture or cupping.
Chair Massage: 40-minute massage performed on an industry-standard professional massage chair. The model must be fully clothed. Participants must provide their own chair or request one during registration.
Judging Criteria
Judging will be based on a detailed set of criteria, including but not limited to:
- Technique and Skill
- Professionalism and Client Care
- Creativity and Innovation
- Use of Tools (if applicable)
- Overall Performance
For more detailed judging criteria, please refer to the Rules and Judging Criteria Document.
Contact Information
For any questions or additional information regarding the rules and regulations, please contact us at [email address].
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