How Does Judging Work?

How Does Judging Work?

Each category will be judged accordingly to it’s points system. The Clinical Challenge is judged with it’s own score card, different from the other categories. Stay up to date to understand score cards and criteria.

Judges are all highly skilled within their categories and have all taken the NCSMC Judge’s Course and are directly supervised by our head judge in each state.

In the final round, the receivers will be judges.

Judges will evaluate the participants in the following criteria areas using the IMA’s 85 point system. The new “USAMC Clinical ChallengeCategory” has a slightly different scorecard (see below). These judges are qualified and highly educated in the field with extensive training beforehand. Their decisions are respected & final.

~ Techniques ~

How many techniques are used and in what

appropriate combinations? Are the techniques appropriate for the

declared category and are they performed accurately?

~ Ergonomics ~

How do the therapists use their own bodies (work environment),

their remedies (Massage tables etc.), and client positioning.

~ Flow ~

Continuous, non-stop movement where

appropriate, moving smoothly in and out of various techniques.

Example: Flow is highly valued in Swedish but less so in Sports or

Clinical massage.

~ Innovation ~

Development of new techniques/grips, a unique style or combination of styles.

Example: Innovation is highly regarded in Western or Eastern Freestyle,

but less so in Classical European Swedish Massage.

~ Client Contact ~

“Client Contact” Does the participant show insight and empathy upon assessment and ongoing communication? Did the participant choose the correct techniques, pressure and speed for the client’s unique needs? Does the participant have the appropriate workwear (outfit) that expresses intent (modality) and professionalism? Does the participant have a professional display (tools, accessories, instructional material, etc) that makes sense to their category and intent? Did the participants draping preserve the modesty of the receiver? Did the participant go out of their way to observe the utmost sanitation practices?

Clinical Score Cards:

~ Techniques & Skill ~

A. How many techniques - not as important as “how effective” the technique is.

However, just doing manual massage will not be as good/advanced as using multiple techniques such as manual massage with some tools, mobilization, stretching, breathing, assessment, communication, etc.

B. Variations of each technique - for addressing the client's unique/complex problems or limitations. Example: if the client were kicked by a horse (closed, indented wound with distal swelling), you’d use two types of Kinesio Tape® application: mechanical correction (classic) at the indention and an FP-EDF (not classic) or fan cut for the swelling depending on the stage of injury (acute, subacute, chronic).

C. Combination of techniques - appropriate use of multiple techniques performed at a high level. These techniques may be standard or innovative for our industry. The therapist must be able to explain every aspect and purpose of the technique or combination of techniques and their planned or realized effects on the client’s issue.

~ Ergonomics ~

A. Table height

B. Power transmission from therapist to client - Is it appropriate for the issue and the client?

C. Therapist’s body alignment

D. Client positioning - important for access to the area of focus, comfort, and effectiveness of the proposed treatment. Example: reducing tension in a hypertonic Trapezius using Graston Technique’s® GT1 is better done seated than prone. When you measured the angle of a joint, was the client weight-bearing? Did you put the muscle on stretch when taping for an overactive muscle?

~ Flow ~

A. Rhythm - This is the least important sub-criterion of a Clinical massage.

B. Transitioning - grip to grip, hand to tool (did the therapist fumble, or was there a lot of dead time that didn’t make sense?)

C. Work/treatment within the time frame (60min) A very efficient and thorough therapist may not need a full 15 minutes to do an intake or reassessment, thus leaving them more time for treatment. A less capable therapist may be unable to do an intake/assessment, develop/deliver a protocol, and reassessment/ recommendations in an hour.

~Innovation ~

Many advanced clinical techniques are available for therapists, but how have you mastered them, and then how have you made them your own? How have you made those techniques work better for you and the client? Elevating oneself in this criteria shows a therapist's clinical development stages that move from novice, to advanced beginner, to competent, to proficient, and then to expert.

a. Development of new moves

b. Innovation through your own unique style

c. Style combinations

~ Client Contact ~

No matter the stage of a therapist's proficiency in a given modality or technique, this criteria has to be solid.

a. Insight and empathy - Do they listen to the client and ask good questions?

b. Technique versus the client. For example, an elderly, thin-skinned person would need Kinesio Tex Gold Light Touch+ and not the stronger Classic tape.

c. Pressure and depth versus the client

d. Therapist’s…

·  Workwear - Is it neat, clean, and odor free? Does it represent the modality? Wearing a cat t-shirt has nothing to do with Sports massage, whereas a Relay-for-life may, and a Nike shirt definitely would. Does it get in the way or distract?

·  Tools - Is the therapist competent and/or qualified to use their tools? Can they explain them? Are they clean (sheets, towels, cups, etc.)? Do they have sanitary wipes/gel, etc? Do they have tools to evaluate the client's issue?

· Accessories (ex., presentation components/table) - judges should not take off for a therapist not having this. However, having a presentation shows another level of communication of the therapist’s art and intention. Presentations should represent the modality or treatment and not be a show of the therapist’s personal likes or personality (i.e., cat sheets, cat figurines, etc.)

·  Draping of the client - failure in this area (exposure by the therapist, thin sheets, or loose draping) is unacceptable in a clinical setting.

~ Efficacy ~

Client out-take, degree of improvement to specific area of focus.

Reassessment and Recommendations

Treatment Plan Suggested?

~ Interview with Judges ~

Presented SOAP note (we will not take off points if they do not have), answers to the Q&A

*Disclaimer:  You must be present for the hot seat when called upon.  You may break down your area and pack your things up.  You will report to the Head Judge/ Volunteer/Director when your name is called.  If you are not present within this 5-minute time frame, you receive a zero for the hot seat.  This will significantly affect your score.