How to Protect Yourself in Massage
It is necessary to use caution when inviting a stranger into your home, and you are in an especially vulnerable position when that stranger is one coming to give you a massage. PLEASE be careful.
There are many unlicensed and/or unethical people in the Phoenix metro area posing as massage therapists. Many are unscrupulous people working in their homes without a license or engaging in illegal, illicit activities. Look instead for a therapist who cares enough to invest the time, effort and money necessary to acquire the licensing, training and experience required to assure your safety.
Any person in the state of Arizona who practices massage for any compensation, whether fees or tips, MUST be licensed by the state and must have graduated from an accredited school. Do not automatically assume a business card specifying that the person is licensed is proof of licensure. Anyone can have cards printed saying anything, and I have personally seen business cards for people claiming to be licensed, while in reality they were not licensed, and ads for massage in homes or even spas and clinics that were not using legitimate therapists. Check the state board website to verify the name. If the person is not listed on the website, he or she is not licensed and is practicing illegally. These people are often working in unsavory locations or unsafe conditions and are often found in ads specifying "beautiful Asian" or "beautiful Latina" therapists, sometimes with a sexually suggestive photo of a surgically enhanced and/or scantily clad woman in a sexually provocative pose. How about this one: "6'2" white male, well built, with strong hands"? Sign of a legitimate therapist? No! The race or ethnicity, age, beauty, or sex of the therapist is of no importance in a legitimate massage business. The therapist should be licensed, modestly dressed, and professional. Behavior must be professional, not vulgar or sexually suggestive in words or actions. If you become aware of unlicensed, unethical, illegal, illicit, unscrupulous people posing as massage therapists, you should contact your local police department and the Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy.
Ask for references if the therapist is new to you or has not been recommended by someone you trust. Check the Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy at www.massageboard.az.gov to verify that the person is a licensed therapist. Be safe!
Copyright © 2012-2019 Suzanne E. Davis
All rights reserved.
There are many unlicensed and/or unethical people in the Phoenix metro area posing as massage therapists. Many are unscrupulous people working in their homes without a license or engaging in illegal, illicit activities. Look instead for a therapist who cares enough to invest the time, effort and money necessary to acquire the licensing, training and experience required to assure your safety.
Any person in the state of Arizona who practices massage for any compensation, whether fees or tips, MUST be licensed by the state and must have graduated from an accredited school. Do not automatically assume a business card specifying that the person is licensed is proof of licensure. Anyone can have cards printed saying anything, and I have personally seen business cards for people claiming to be licensed, while in reality they were not licensed, and ads for massage in homes or even spas and clinics that were not using legitimate therapists. Check the state board website to verify the name. If the person is not listed on the website, he or she is not licensed and is practicing illegally. These people are often working in unsavory locations or unsafe conditions and are often found in ads specifying "beautiful Asian" or "beautiful Latina" therapists, sometimes with a sexually suggestive photo of a surgically enhanced and/or scantily clad woman in a sexually provocative pose. How about this one: "6'2" white male, well built, with strong hands"? Sign of a legitimate therapist? No! The race or ethnicity, age, beauty, or sex of the therapist is of no importance in a legitimate massage business. The therapist should be licensed, modestly dressed, and professional. Behavior must be professional, not vulgar or sexually suggestive in words or actions. If you become aware of unlicensed, unethical, illegal, illicit, unscrupulous people posing as massage therapists, you should contact your local police department and the Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy.
Ask for references if the therapist is new to you or has not been recommended by someone you trust. Check the Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy at www.massageboard.az.gov to verify that the person is a licensed therapist. Be safe!
Copyright © 2012-2019 Suzanne E. Davis
All rights reserved.