Part one:
In between clients and classes, I have seen a lot of very passionate posts on the Massage Therapists of Arkansas facebook group page recently. It’s great to see lots of AR therapists focusing on making the massage industry in our state better. I appreciate those who stand up and work toward increasing awareness of the benefits and professionalism of massage.
It’s sad to see those that try to take advantage of our good work by claiming to do massage in the name of illegal activities. I have to say it’s also sad to see some therapists focusing anger and hatred toward board members and others who work in our industry. I chose not to join the bandwagon several years ago when there were angry calls to throw out the massage board and put us under another state department, which eventually did happen. And I choose not to do so now.
I know some board members are busy working on clients and teaching classes, like many of us, and doing the best they can. Could they do more? Could they make better decisions? I’m sure the answer is ‘yes’. Just as I know I could do more to be a better therapist and a better CE instructor. I appreciate change. And I hope this momentum furthers the interests and professionalism of us massage therapists.
There will always be bad actors doing illegal activities in the name of legal businesses. Most other states have much more of that than we have in Arkansas. There will always be news media looking to sensationalize such activities with the goal of increasing ratings and commercial sponsorship – that’s their job. And there will always be politicians screaming for public safety and better regulation of industries, while not providing adequate resources to accomplish that.
Representative Meeks’ comments in the KARK ‘expose’ were some of the truest I’ve heard or seen recently – the resources that the Board has to adequately monitor and regulate the massage industry in our state are meager at best. Up until 20 years ago, I worked in the corporate world as a programmer and manager. At that time, we were paying the same money our board office director gets today to entry-level, first-job programmers just out of school. And warehouse staff were getting paid what the board office staffers and inspector get paid now. That was over 20 years ago.
To expect one inspector to cover the entire state, inspect every clinic and spa, process all the paperwork, and get home every night is not realistic. The first step toward adequate regulation of the massage industry in the state is to provide adequate resources. Comparisons to the board office of a decade ago are nostalgic but may not be comparing apples to apples. Times change.
What I do know for certain is that you and your fellow massage therapists and instructors are doing absolutely crucial work! By bringing your professionalism, your therapeutic tools, and your compassion to your client sessions – and for instructors, to your classes – you are bringing about positive change in this world – one client, one class, at a time. Your clients and students know you are a professional and that you do awesome work. We do have to continually educate the general public, too. But we can go to sleep at night knowing that we’ve worked toward making this world a better place. This too shall pass.
Part two:
I agree with a lot of what many therapists and teachers have said about changes needed in our industry. I agree 100% that the board office financials should be fully transparent and that the board should have better oversight. Also that we should be aligned with the Federation, since that has been the direction of the industry for awhile.
And yes, the Board needs better resources for dealing with illegal quasi-massage establishments, though not 10 ‘investigators’. No Question. Perhaps, the police need more resources to help with this, too. I don’t expect our state government to provide all the needed resources or statutory authority to close down businesses, even when they’re sold to family members for a dollar, nor do I expect many politicians to understand our business. I recall that it was a politician who turned the board office upside down a few years back and put it under the Dept of Finance and Admin for awhile, while a new board was appointed.
In recent years, some mistakes have been made – toward individual therapists and industry-wide – and they should be accounted for. A long-term picture, I think, is to build a more cohesive, friendlier community environment for the massage industry as a whole in Arkansas. For more than a decade, we’ve heard of fighting and bickering in board meetings, since long before this current board and staff, while therapists are busy helping their clients and staying afloat in their businesses. It’s so paradoxical to have therapists doing incredible, much-needed work, while so much infighting is going on.
I think that a lot of people have excellent ideas on this page, and I believe that change is good, though some changes are better than ever. My practice has thrived through all the changes we’ve seen over the years, and my classes are always full. I have much to be thankful for, yet I know I can do better.
I do believe that creating a positive, thriving massage community in AR is worth fighting for – as well as short-term changes. But if we’re always putting down other (legal) therapists or constantly denigrating other teachers or board members and staff – in classes, in massage rooms, or in board meetings, then my question is are we part of the solution or part of the problem?
So many of us are passionate about this work that we do, and so many of have worked hard to bring the massage industry to where it is now, which is seen in so much more of a professional light than before. I appreciate that more than I can express. I would just love to see us treating each other with respect – and with proper accountability – and model that behavior to our clients, our students, and the public. Easy, right?!