May 13, 2009

AMTA Applauds Craigslist Decision
Calls for Protection of Massage Therapists

Evanston, IL – The American Massage Therapy Association® (AMTA®) views
the decision by Craigslist to remove its ‘erotic services’ section as
an opportunity to clarify for the public that prostitutes who claim to
provide massage are not massage therapists.  “The public and massage
therapists have a right to know that advertising for massage should
only be the right of massage therapists,” says Judy Stahl, AMTA
President.  “We hope this decision will ensure that massage is only
advertised on Craigslist through its ‘therapeutic’ section and that
any new ‘adult’ section will not allow posters to use terms related to
massage therapy.” Most states regulate the massage therapy profession
and restrict use of the term ‘massage’ in business and advertising to
legally practicing massage therapists.

The recent publicity surrounding the murder of a call girl who called
herself a masseuse on Craigslist has confused many people.  Massage
therapists have had clients and patients question their
professionalism and raise concerns about them advertising their
massage practices through Craigslist.

Unfortunately, prostitutes frequently claim to offer massage and use
the term ‘masseuse’ to appear as legitimate therapists.  While most
massage practitioners prefer the term massage therapist, some still
use the older term, rooted in European health traditions, of
‘masseuse’.

AMTA believes these terms related to massage should only be used by
those with a legal and professional right to do so.  The non-profit
professional association wants the public to feel confident that
anyone who claims to provide massage is a trained professional who
practices legally.  “We call on Craigslist, the media and other online
services to respect massage therapists and to protect the public from
misrepresentations of massage.  And, we continue our support for the
efforts of the state attorneys general to protect the public from
inappropriate advertising,” says Stahl.

The American Massage Therapy Association is a nonprofit professional
association of more than 58,000 members founded in 1943. AMTA
professional members have demonstrated a level of skill and knowledge
through education and/or testing and must meet continuing education
requirements to retain membership. AMTA provides information about
massage therapy to the public and works to improve the professional
climate for massage therapists.  It advocates fair and consistent
licensing of massage therapists in all states.