ANATOMICAL DRAPING GUIDELINES
Draping of a body part serves two main purposes; it creates a boundary fro the
therapist and client, and it gives the therapist access to tissues so they may be
more easily worked. Respect for the client’s privacy and vulnerability must be
considered in light of these two points. For this reason we have adjustment to our
“default” draping for various areas of the body. As a therapist you want to perform
the most effective treatment possible, and adequately accessing the client’s
tissue facilitates this. The following draping guideline have been developed in
accordance with the CMTO requirements, anatomical considerations, and the
treatments required text – Clinical Massage Therapy (Rattray, F.).
The following points must be considered when performing draping. These points
are taken from the standards of practice or other guidelines set out by the CMTO:
1. The CMTO has identified areas of sensitive practice, the gluteal region
being one of them. During informed consent the specific areas to be
undraped are discussed with the client during the nature of treatment.
This allows the client to be informed of the proposed areas to be
undraped. During informed consent the client is given the opportunity to
ask questions, and refuse certain aspects or all of the proposed
treatment. As well, they are informed of their right to stop or modify the
treatment at any point. These aspects of informed consent are designed
to give maximum protection to the client.
2. Standard 12 – Undrape the Client for Treatment. This standard includes
many points that must be performed with any draping. Including
informing the client before undraping the area, ensuring that the drape is
secure, adjusting the draping if the client requests, so long as both
therapist and client are comfortable. This standard affords the client
another opportunity to make alterations regarding the level of the
draping.
3. It is understood based on the Standards of Practice from the CMTO that
only the area of the body being treated is to be exposed.
SUPINE
Draping for neck treatments:
If client wants his/her arms under the sheet then drape line should expose the
deltoid and to the level of the second rib at the level of the Manubriosternal joint.
The drape line should be tucked under the upper arm.
If a client wants his/her arms on top of the sheet then the drape line should be
tucked under the rib cage and to the level of the second rib at the level of the
Manubriosternal joint.
Draping for upper limb treatments:
EDIX SCHOOL
