Physiotherapy and the shadow of prostitution: the Society of Trained Masseuses and the massage scandals of 1894

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aut.researcherNicholls, David Antony
dc.contributor.authorNicholls, DA
dc.contributor.authorCheek, J
dc.date.accessioned2011-08-22T22:56:33Z
dc.date.available2011-08-22T22:56:33Z
dc.date.copyright2006-05-01
dc.date.issued2006-05-01
dc.description.abstractIn 1894 the Society of Trained Masseuses (STM) formed in response to massage scandals published by the British Medical Journal (BMJ). The Society's founders acted to legitimise massage, which had become sullied by its association with prostitution. This study analyses the discourses that influenced the founders of the Society and reflects upon the social and political conditions that enabled the STM to emerge and prosper. The founders established a clear practice model for massage which effectively regulated the sensual elements of contact between therapist and patient. Massage practices were regulated through clearly defined curricula, examinations and the surveillance of the Society's members. A biomechanical model of physical rehabilitation was adopted to enable masseuses to view the body as a machine rather than as a sensual being. Medical patronage of the Society was courted enabling the Society to prosper amongst competing organisations. Using Foucault's work on power we explore the contingent nature of these events, seeing the massage scandals in context with broader questions of sexual morality, professionalisation and expertise in the late nineteenth century society. We argue that many of the technologies developed by the founders resonate with physiotherapy practice today and enable us to critically analyse the continued relevance of the profession to contemporary healthcare.
dc.identifier.citationSocial Science and Medicine, vol.62(9), pp.2336 - 2348
dc.identifier.doi10.1016/j.socscimed.2005.09.010
dc.identifier.issn0277-9536
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10292/1795
dc.languageeng
dc.publisherAUT University
dc.relation.isreplacedby10292/3324
dc.relation.isreplacedbyhttp://hdl.handle.net/10292/3324
dc.relation.urihttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2005.09.010
dc.rightsNOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in (see Citation). Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in (see Citation) The original publication is available at (see Publisher's Version).
dc.rights.accessrightsOpenAccess
dc.subjectHistory, 19th Century
dc.subjectHumans
dc.subjectMassage
dc.subjectNew Zealand
dc.subjectPhysical Therapy (Specialty)
dc.subjectProstitution
dc.subjectSocieties
dc.subjectPhysiotherapy
dc.subjectDiscourse
dc.subjectFoucault
dc.subjectProfession
dc.titlePhysiotherapy and the shadow of prostitution: the Society of Trained Masseuses and the massage scandals of 1894
dc.typeJournal Article
pubs.organisational-data/AUT
pubs.organisational-data/AUT/Health & Environmental Science
pubs.organisational-data/AUT/PBRF Researchers
pubs.organisational-data/AUT/PBRF Researchers/Health & Environmental Sciences PBRF Researchers
pubs.organisational-data/AUT/PBRF Researchers/Health & Environmental Sciences PBRF Researchers/HES R & O Physiotherapy
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