Hello, to all those following my blog last season, sorry for not replying in Summer, too busy with work.
With this season soon to be upon us, I feel the need to once again to make clear the legislation for physios to work in France. In fact you cannot work in France as a physio or massage person without; Registration with the Minister de Santé, within the Department in which you will work, French insurances and now a Member of the Ordre of Masseur et Kinésithérapeuts.
I know and understand you are all saying, but its just massage! The difference in France is that the “metier” profession of massage in France has been historically by physios “kinés”, that has not changed, but over the years France has seen a growth in beauty treatments, who have overlapped their treatments into relaxing massages etc. Unfortunately all those who claim massage are not technically legal (although the beauticians here have a diploma/insurance also).
The fairly new Ordre of Masseurs et Kinésitherapeuts, aquivilant to the CSP are now investigating these practices throughout France and starting to formulate litigations to protect massage for the physios. They have already been in touch with all the legal physios here to make sure we report all those illegally providing massage!
Most of you should know that even a massage could provoke other aches and pains for patients ranging from headaches, neck pain to sciatic symptoms, therefore, I don’t think we should say just a massage.
A final note to those employing illegal physios: are we legal physios no good? Why do you find the need to employ others, I know of many physios who would be glad of either extra work in winter or like myself provide a Domicilliary service to Chalets/Apartments or are trying to make ends meet with Cabinets within resorts, why not give us the work. Perhaps you are too quick not to check within the legally registred systems which already exist.