Massage therapy has become so essential to our idea of wellness that certified massage therapist is now one of the fastest-growing occupations in the United States, with the U.S. Department of Labor reporting that it is expected to grow 26 percent by 2020.
Its benefits have resonated particularly among African-Americans. A 2004 study by the American Massage Therapy Association showed that black patients seek massage therapy for pain and stress relief at a higher rate than any other segment of the population. In the study, more than one-fourth of black respondents reported having a massage in the last 12 months, compared to 21 percent of the overall population; 83 percent of African-Americans said that when they discussed massage therapy with a doctor or healthcare provider, it was strongly recommended or encouraged.
Against that backdrop, California’s booming, carefully-regulated massage industry is threatened by the possibility that changes in law, being pushed by special interest groups, could turn back the clock on a stringent statewide certification process established in 2009.
Before that law was passed, regulation of the industry was a threadbare, patchwork quilt of rules made in each of California’s more than 450 cities. It was widely regarded as an inconsistent system, so rife with loopholes that it often eased the way for those determined to use massage as a cover for the illicit sex trade.
In 2008 the Legislature created the non-profit California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) to administer the certification program, which has shown itself successful in weeding out bad actors who might exploit the industry. Along with education requirements, it includes a number of strict controls — including Department of Justice and FBI background checks and reviews against a national database to ensure that applicants has not faced sanctions in another state.
In less than five years, more than 45,000 applicants have been certified in this process — further professionalizing the industry, and giving consumers peace of mind that all state-certified massage therapists meet minimum, uniform standards.
On Monday, the state Legislature will begin hearings in a review process that could result in the elimination of those statewide standards. It is a possibility that frightens massage therapists and their clients across California, concerned that a return to the old system will invite familiar but fading troubles back into the industry.
“For the past seven years I’ve practiced in Rancho Cucamonga, Claremont and Rancho Mirage,” said massage therapist Ingrid Armstrong. “I think it works better if a therapist is not stationary, [but is instead] someone who practices in different locations. With a state certification, you can practice where you want and it’s not as financially taxing with having to get certified in each different city.”
Armstrong recalled that her colleagues in the industry were “thrilled” when the new regulations arrived in 2009, saying that having massage professionals as part of the regulatory process has worked “way better than before.”
“It should be … practitioners that decide,” said Armstrong. “I think cities may be looking to their pockets. They need to do their work with law enforcement to crack down, but legitimate practitioners should not suffer the consequences. If I had to reach back into my pockets to get certification in a number of cities, which is then renewed every two years, then forget it. I wouldn’t be able to remain in the profession.”
Eva Spiegel, a spokeswoman for the League of California Cities, which wants to see changes in the law, said, “It’s been five years and the sunset date on the statute is Jan. 1, 2015. So we’re in a situation where we can look at what does and doesn’t work.”
Meanwhile, Glendale City Councilman Zareh Sinanyan, who prompted a recent ordinance cracking down on a rash of illicit businesses believes the law is working practically within his jurisdiction.
“Toward the middle of last year I noticed a quite striking proliferation of massage parlors in specific areas of Glendale, most noticeably on Colorado Boulevard, one of the main thoroughfares,” said Sinanyan, an attorney. “All these massage parlors were opening up in a relatively short distance and all of them, again noticeably, had covered storefronts.”
Sinanyan recalled that he consulted the city attorney and a former police chief, which led to a sting operation and additional regulations. “It’s nothing extraordinary,” he explained. “It just says that if you’re a massage parlor owner you have to be certified, as do all of your masseuses and your storefront has to be open. It’s just practical tools to make sure we can go in there and make sure it’s a legitimate business.
He added: “We in no way wanted to create a situation where we were interfering with legitimate businesses. We want them to succeed. I’ll tell you this: every long-standing massage business in Glendale came out in support of the ordinance.”
CAMTC chief executive Ahmos Netanel said he is always open to evaluate different ways to improve the law and better protect consumers, and says his organization offers help to any municipality needing assistance with strengthening controls. He noted that the law generally works well in most cities, especially those that cooperate with his organization.
“We offer our help to all cities — some choose to take it, and some do not,” Netanel said. “The City of L.A., for example, has not updated its ordinance, despite the law coming into effect nearly five years ago. Others updated theirs almost immediately.
“I think the law is doing what it intended to do,” Netanel added, “which is to protect the public by certifying credible massage professionals.”
