In this chapter, (1) 'approved massage school' means a massage therapy school or program that (A) has an authorization to operate from the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education or a similar entity in another state; or (B) is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency; (2) 'board' means the Board of Massage Therapists; (3) 'department' means the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development; (4) 'massage therapist' means a person licensed under this chapter; (5) 'practice of massage therapy' means the provision, for compensation, of a service involving the systematic manipulation and treatment of the soft tissues, including the muscular and connective tissues of the human body, to enhance the functions of those tissues and promote relaxation and well-being; in this paragraph, 'manipulation and treatment' (A) includes manual techniques applied with the intent to physically affect local soft tissues, such as pressure, friction, stroking, percussion, kneading, vibration, muscular assessment by palpation, range of motion for purposes of demonstrating muscle exertion for muscle flexibility, nonspecific stretching, and application of superficial heat, eading, vibration, muscular assessment by palpation, range of motion for purposes of demonstrating muscle exertion for muscle flexibility, nonspecific stretching, and application of superficial heat, cold, water, lubricants, or salts; (B) does not include diagnosis, the prescription of drugs or medicines, the practice of physical therapy, attempts to manipulate any articulation of the body or spine, or mobilization of these articulations by use of a thrusting force.
Alaska Legal Code