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Beginning in the 1970's city official attempted to stem the use of the ward "massage" as a cover for prostitution. Especially noticeable were massage parlor advertisements under the heading of "Massage" in the "Yellow Pages"(TM) of telephone books. Since anyone in a bodywork profession was required to list under "Massage," the heading included an array of body worker titles beyond the troubled "massage" designation.
In response to the situation, many cities adopted so-called "touching" ordinances requiring that anyone who "touched" another for money under any job title would purchase a massage license.
Even though reflexologists sought and were granted a "Reflexologist" heading to avoid the confusion of their businesses with prostitution, the profession was ensnared by the cities' simple solution to the problem of prostitution and massage.
With the enactment of such laws, the reflexologist has become the target of expensive licensing ($5,000 in Sacramento for an "adult entertainment license"), disease testing (VD, AIDS, and tuberculosis depending on the city), police surveillance (walk-in inspections), and irrelevant educational requirements (100 to 1000 hours of massage training).
The body of knowledge and the service that is reflexology have been ignored. Since no reflexology education, certification or experience is required, the reflexology service received by the consumer can consist of anything, provided by anyone who is massage licensed.
The reputation for reflexology work has been built over the years by reflexologists. The watering-down of the practice and the granting of economic advantage to others has been detrimental to the field.
And, even with such a myriad of laws, the world's oldest profession thrives.
Little has changed since 1990. More cities and states now require massage licensing of reflexologists and practitioners of other body work systems. No education or experience in the body work field is required.
A major university medical school hospital recently sought to scientifically test reflexology. The research has been shelved. The donor insisted on a traditionally trained and practicing reflexologist. The hospital required legal practice. No traditionally practicing and legally licensed reflexologist could be found -- in New York City. A fifteen year old massage board requirement has succeeded in eliminating the traditional practice in the city.
(The traditional practice of reflexology
is defined as the physical act of applying pressure to the feet and
hands with techniques that do not utilize oil, cream or lotion.
Technique application is assessed on the basis of zones and reflex
areas with a premise that such work effects a physical change in the
body. Definition first published by Kunz and Kunz in 1981.)
©2003 Kunz and Kunz