Asclepieion Massage Therapy

06/24/2025

This would mean the massage board will sunset on Monday, June 30th, leaving our industry unregulated.

Can't say I'm surprised. With the trend toward deregulation we were a definite target for legislators to show that they are cutting regulation.

Problem is that this will put downward pressure on wages as anyone (with or without training) can be hired to work at a chain or resort for minimum wage. In addition, anyone can start their own "massage business." They will charge $40/hr so now, explain to me why clients would pay $100/hr to you if they can get a "massage" for $40 at some other place?

Oh, and if you think we currently have issues with human trafficking and illicit massage in this state now, it will only get worse. This is an open invitation to criminal elements. And you can bet that these "clients" will become more aggressive...they'll start calling you for "services" because, who is going to get them in trouble let alone protect you? If you don't have a license you're nobody...why would the cops believe you? They found you on Facebook or some other app, right?

Why should other medical professionals have any respect for this industry if no one is licensed? You can kiss billing insurance goodbye, as well as any chance for credibility. Massage Schools will shut down, CEU providers will no longer be able to sell their courses because you won't need CEUs anymore.

Congratulations, Arizona. You're the first in the US to become deregulated after so much work and a concerted effort to get the entire industry regulated and meeting some kind of standard.

I'm glad I kept my licenses from other states. If you didn't take the MBLEx, many other states are "on notice" that Arizona is sketch...unless you have transcripts from a real school and passed the MBLEx, you probably will not get licensed in another state. This puts your portability/reciprocity at risk.

Because of this, I'm seriously considering going back to those states to practice because this situation is going to slowly deteriorate until we can't stand it anymore and then the pendulum will start to swing back the other way...but that will take many years. Many. Years.

Good luck out there!

https://azmirror.com/2025/06/20/political-chaos-erupts-as-arizona-senate-passes-budget-and-ends-session-unilaterally/?fbclid=IwY2xjawLHjKdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETF2MzVLbUJtcEJ5alZZOXl1AR46p40reJoHSkcmBM7ehotefFZu8oIJYefK2S8TmDZAeO2Dxp8asjQuG0OYCw_aem_tpF757q8wdYk5jzHvT-L6g

Arizona Senate budget session ends abruptly after passing $17.6B plan, leaving House to face June 30 government shutdown deadline

06/09/2025

This is why licensure is important.

John Oliver discusses the rapid growth of med spas in the U.S., who is performing medical procedures inside them, where their injectables are coming from, ho...

05/24/2025

Great overview of Lower and Upper Extremity Neurologic examinations.

05/24/2025

Nice explanation of the anatomy of the foot.

05/19/2025

Come see me during those first few months! It really does make a difference.

Fantastic infographic by Dr. Howard Luks to help set realistic expectations with patients regarding their recovery following a knee replacement 🦵

04/03/2025

Pretty cool!

04/03/2025

We offer Lymphatic Drainage!
https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2025/03/23/what-is-a-lymphatic-massage/81104571007/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJbcxFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHTFb-z_MVon94Oottt5FthsaEsfPoCG7RM6KZZnUOUWtDsPqJy-PcBFXOg_aem_CKcZKJ6mJ_2c4wopjf8GlQ

Lymphatic massages are all the rage in wellness communities. But medical experts warn that not everyone should be getting them.

02/21/2025

State Board of Massage Therapy Agenda
Monday, February 24, 2025, 9:00 a.m.

There will be a presentation on FSMTB’s advocacy and the future of the AZ Massage Board regarding the recent legislative bills (HB2311 and SB1656) by Dr. Debra Persinger, Executive Director, FSMTB. Dr. Persinger was in Phoenix this past week to testify to the State Senate on our behalf.

Also of note, there will be a report from Officer Mike Walter, Phoenix Police Dept., Human Trafficking Task Force and Ret. Sgt. Nate Boulter, Mesa Police Dept., Human Trafficking Squad.

02/18/2025

I think massage looks more like anesthesia than any of the others...

What do you think?

02/15/2025

Here is the basic plan for the future of the AZ State Board of Massage Therapy: https://legiscan.com/AZ/text/SB1656/id/3096463

This is the Senate Bill, SB 1656. The text in this bill is easier to read and understand. The sponsor is Senator Dunn.

I've also found it listed under the House of Representatives: HB 2311. The sponsor is Representative Bliss.

Both bills are proposing a continuation of the massage therapy board. They are also proposing an emergency measure that continues the State Board of Massage Therapy for 2 years.

In addition, both bills want to create a Study Committee on the Continuation of the Arizona Board of Massage Therapy which outlines membership and duties of committee members as they look at opportunities to consolidate our board with another board. They could decide to leave it independent…it’s up to the recommendation of the Study Committee.

Yesterday, the final vote in the House was 9 yea, 3 nay - so it passed.

Next the Senate will vote and most likely pass the bill, and then the two houses will go through a reconciliation process to combine the two bills which will get a final vote.

Bill Text (2025-02-11) Massage therapy; continuation; study committee [Senate read second time]

01/30/2025

Sunset review of the Arizona Board of Massage Therapy. It wasn't pretty...skip to 2:33 to get the scoop.