Facing possible 'shutdown,' NC massage therapists push back against new state...

massage

Registered
Joined
Apr 23, 2013
Messages
147,561
Reaction score
826
Points
113
3240612_1280x720.jpg


CARY, NC (WTVD) --

Hands on Health in Cary is one of the hundreds of independent massage therapy businesses around the state. They boast a clientele as young as 10 months old and as old as 80.
But as the state tries to crack down on a growing problem, these massage therapy pros are concerned they'll be caught in the crossfire.

"We're a small business," said Laura Ford, one of the 15 licensed massage therapists here specializing in medical massage, orthopedic, or injury-repair touch therapy.

"It needs to be a place where a person can feel comfortable letting go and feel safe," Ford explained from one of the company's six treatment rooms.
It's a serious business of stress and pain relief - but don't call it a massage parlor.

"Parlor is not a word to use with a massage-therapy practice," Ford said. "You will not find a legitimate massage therapy practice that uses that word."

It's those unscrupulous parlors - many of them operating in the shadows of rural North Carolina - that the state is cracking down on.

In 2017, there were 258 cases of human trafficking; it's a form of slavery where victims are forced to work or perform sex acts - some of it done under the guise of a massage business.

Last summer, state lawmakers passed a new law imposing tougher penalties for human traffickers as well as new regulations for massage therapy businesses to keep them from being used by human traffickers.


MASSAGE BATTLE: “People are shutting down. “They’ll have to shut down!” - Local massage therapists are fighting back against new state regulations. pic.twitter.com/E2EeWHTD3l

— Joel Brown (@JoelBrownABC11) March 21, 2018

Regulators want to mandate the size of treatment rooms to 10 feet by 12 feet. It's one of the many new rules drawing the ire of legitimate therapists like Ford

"I cannot do massage and bodywork therapy in this room," Ford says in one of her 9 feet by 11 feet treatment rooms.
And renovating the room to meet those new requirements would not be a cheap fix.

About "$100,000," Ford estimated. "And weeks of shutdown."

The N.C. Board of Massage and Bodywork is the panel of state regulators finalizing the new rules and regulations. Charles Wilkens is the board's legal counsel. He told ABC11 the rules are not yet written in stone.
The board is taking public comment on the proposals until mid-May.

"And we hope if there are any unintended consequences from these rules that we will be notified of them," Wilkens said. "(The board) will consider all those comments and then have the opportunity to amend those rules and change them to make them more user-friendly."

Laura Ford said she and her network of therapists plan to test that pledge by speaking out loudly.

"The public needs to know what's going to happen to this industry if (the rules go in effect as is)," she said. "People are shutting down. They'll have to shut down. They will have to."


(Copyright ©2018 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved.)

Let's block ads! (Why?)
 
Shoutbox
  1. EMSpa_schedule:
    Tomorrow's sneak peek: On Friday April 4, 2025, our attendants will be Ada 💜, Opal 😘, Cici 🤗, Vicky 🥰 and Christina 🤩. Call us at (905) 479-6668 to book!
  2. SL East Spa:
    💆‍♀💖Terrific Thursday 💖 Ultimate destination for Asian massages🎉 Two fab spots: SL Richmond Hill & SL West Oakville ✨ Your passport to paradise with 9 enchanting girls fr China, HK — 🆕Tiffany, Joey,Coco, Aaliyah, Julie, Yui, Tina, Michelle & New 34D Jasmine—— ready to pamper you🎁🍁 Ring us 📞647-695-6354 or text us 📱647-578-8169✨ 160 East Beaver Cr., Unit 12, RichmondHill 💰Where Eastern charm meets Western comfort - your bliss awaits🙌
  3. Bruce2034:
    Asian star spa
  4. wilson holistic centre:
    Beautiful girls everyday ☎️ 4165316969☎️💕💕
  5. Pink Flower Spa:
  6. Golden Flower Spa:
  7. BlueXado Therapy & Spa:
  8. Jenny’s Spa:
    🎉🍒JENNY’S SPA🎉🍒 ✅5170 DUNDAS STREET WEST✅ 👌ETOBICOKE ONTARIO M9A 1C4👌 ☎️( 647-893-5196)☎️Call or Text ☎️( 437-888-3759)☎️Call Only (ETOBICOKE) OPEN 10am to 9pm MONDAY to SUNDAY 🔥✅GRAND OPENING💯NEW GIRLS EVERYDAY🔥EXCELLENT MASSAGE + SERVICE QUEENS NOW AVAILABLE AT JENNY’S SPA FOR ALL YOUR MASSAGE AND SPECIAL EXTRA NEEDS🔥💯😘🔥❤️👌 🔥TWO BEAUTIFUL NEW YOUNG ASIAN GIRLS EVERYDAY🔥 💯REAL PICTURES OF ATTENDANTS💯 🔥💋Limited Time Special Promotion🔥💋 ✅💦30 Minutes Nude Massage w
  9. wonderspa:
    🌺🌺Wonder spa,(9421Jane st unit127)call416-5000-800☎️best massage in vaughan,💄sexy very young girl Sunny natural c cup,very good looking nice body slide😻 🍎long hair Lucy come back,very good strong to relax oil massage, Relieve pain and remove stress,more experience.😍new very beautiful long hair lily,slimy body,amazing touch, back walk,hot stone,popular friendly girl,must try🔥🔥
  10. SugarLoveSpa:
    Sugar Love Spa 🦋🦋👙👙👙👙👙today have 💋Mia, 💋Sara, 💋Tiffany, 💋Luna, 💋Hana come baby all young sexy girls available👙🦋👙👙437-365-2688👙
  11. bnwellness_wilson:
    We have 4 masseuse are working today. Tina,Ella,Coco and Victoria are providing deep tissue massage, pls call 4163985777 book appointment and walk in always welcome, back entrance and parking available. 350 Wilson Ave North York
  12. Lily Spa:
    ❤️ SANA, ELENA and SUSU are here today for your massage needs ❤️ Lily Spa ❤️ 2190 McNicoll ❤️ Scarborough ❤️ M1V 5M2 ❤️ (647) 531-8288 ❤️
  13. HollywoodSpa:
    Thursday at 🎭𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗬𝗪𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗦𝗣𝗔🎭, 4578 Yonge St, Unit 100, North York, ON: CINDY, JENNY & SISI. ☎416-222-5554☎ CINDY is a slim & pretty lady with long dark hair and a pleasing personality. JENNY is slim, attractive, with a tight frame and service with a smile. When you visit 🎭Hollywood Spa🎭, you will be treated with tender care and your visit will be a fulfilling one.
  14. ForeverWarden:
    Thursday at 🫦❤️🔴🟥♾️𝓕𝓞𝓡𝓔𝓥𝓔𝓡 𝓢𝓟𝓐♾️🟥🔴❤️🫦🫦2190 Warden Ave, Unit 201, Scarborough 𝟰𝟭𝟲-𝟴𝟬𝟬-𝟳𝟴𝟴𝟳: Cindy, Sophia & Tracy. Cindy is a slim beauty, 5’4”, natural C Cups. Her massage is nice, her services will drive you wild & her finish is a dream come true. Sophia is a sweet & pretty Chinese lady with natural B Cups and an awe-inspiring smooth rounded ass. Sophia can provide top notch services
  15. HolidaySpa:
    Thursday at 🌴😎🌅𝓗𝓸𝓵𝓲𝓭𝓪𝔂 𝓢𝓹𝓪🌅😎🌴3517 Kennedy Rd, Unit 4, Scarborough ☎️𝟰𝟯𝟳-𝟮𝟰𝟳-𝟭𝟭𝟵𝟵☎️: ANGELA, LUCY & CINDY. Angela is versatile and responsive. LUCY is a beautiful and slim Asian lady with a happy disposition and great services. CINDY is a slim & incredibly sexy lady with a smile that will melt your heart, & an ass that will fire up your spirit.
  16. Moneylee:
    All season wellness center : young girl pretty face nice figure Thai deep massage Helen,Young girl big breasted beautiful buttocks charming temperament summer ,Young girl Big breasted saucy naughty Ella , Enchanting sexy petite deep massage Sherry ,address: #5-30 Rambler dr Brampton ,Ontario L6W 1E2☎️4376655510 🦵🦵👄👄🈵🈵👅👅
  17. Moneylee:
    Full season wellness center: young girl pretty face nice figure Thai deep massage Vivian , pretty face nice figure Thai deep massage Yuki ,Young girl big breasted beautiful buttocks charming temperament big boobs Anjoo ,Young girl Big breasted saucy naughty Ella,Enchanting sexy petite deep massage Mary. 2560 Shepard ave Mississauga unit 1 .☎️4379857899🦵🦵🈵🈵👅👅👄👄
  18. SugarLoveSpa:
    Thursday at ❤️💙 💜⎝𝗦𝗨𝗚𝗔𝗥 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 𝗦𝗣𝗔⎠💖💗💘: HANA, MIA, LUNA, SARA & TIFFANY. 1270 Finch Ave W (at Keele St), Unit 18. North York, ON ☎ 𝟰𝟯𝟳-𝟯𝟲𝟱-𝟮𝟲𝟴𝟴 ☎ HANA is a slim, sexy & very liberal Mexican lady with incredible services. MIA is a young & slim 𝙎𝙋𝙄𝙉𝙉𝙀𝙍, very PRETTY & PETITE Vietnamese beauty with A Cups, 5’1” & 90 Lbs, very versatile. Come and enjoy. LUNA is slim
  19. Golden Sunshine Spa:
    ✨Click on our Username and FOLLOW US for updates and special services ! ✅ Click Here Today🌸Cassy🌸Tina🌸Isabella🌸Tania🌸Bella Call us ☎ 905 - 265 - 2158☎️ Your ultimate service awaits! ✨
  20. Soul Relax Spa:
    ✨ Looking for a relaxing escape? ✅ Click Here Meet🌸Luna🌸Valentina🌸KellyCall us today for the best treatment and service experience. Click on our Username and FOLLOW US for updates ! Call now ☎ 289 - 298 - 5662☎️ Your ultimate relaxation awaits! ✨
  21. Lulu_Villa_Spa:
    Sami Gorgeous Model Type Vietnamese Girl Judy is a gorgeous model type Vietnamese Girl Natalie filipina mixed Petite girl Cici Cute Skinny Vietnamese Girl ☎️647- 446-0886
  22. luckywellness:
    Lucky Wellness Center 4379721888 295 Eglinton Ave E,Unit 7,Mississauga Kiki and Suki work
  23. Lulu1980:
    Phoenix Blossom Spa 🌹🌹🌹3 girls 🔥🔥🔥5124 Dundas St W Etobicoke☎️416-817-3366👍 Sexy girl Mia big boobs 36DD 😘😘😘😘Hot and sexy body, super body slide, very provocative service😘😘😘, professional super Luna deep tissue massage, has therapeutic effect to loosen bones and relieve muscle pressure and will bring you unexpected service effects, she will bring you a little surprise😍😍😍😍❤️You are welcome to make an appointment at any time or walk in the back door with plenty of parking spaces
  24. DareDevil:
    ARIA WELLNESS ADDRESS: 360 HWY 7, UNIT #6, RICHMOND HILL,647-222-5683/905.886.9993 (PHONES CALL ONLY, NO TEXT'N AVAILABLE) ♥️TODAY'S Schedule!♥️ Loaded lineup with Young Beautiful Girls : Young Lovely Lori, Baby Selina, Elegant Ella, Magical Mia and Work out🏋🚴💪 Babe Amy! BUY 10 HOURS (GET 11 HOURS) **TODAY'S PICK OF THE DAY IS ELLA**
  25. wonderspa:
    🌺🌺Wonder spa,(9421Jane st unit127)call416-5000-800☎️best massage in vaughan,💄sexy very young girl Sunny natural c cup,very good looking nice body slide😻 🍎long hair Lucy come back,very good strong to relax oil massage, Relieve pain and remove stress,more experience.😍new very beautiful long hair lily,slimy body,amazing touch, back walk,hot stone,popular friendly girl,must try😍😍
  26. EMSpa_schedule:
    Tomorrow's sneak peek: On Thursday April 3, 2025, our attendants will be Ada 🤩, Cici 😍, Vicky 😘, Sophie ☀ and Monica 😘. Call us at (905) 479-6668 to book!
  27. yoko:
    sister spa
  28. Soul Relax Spa:
    ✨ Looking for a relaxing escape? ✅ Click Here Meet🌸Tina🌸Mya🌸MonikaCall us today for the best treatment and service experience. Click on our Username and FOLLOW US for updates ! Call now ☎ 289 - 298 - 5662☎️ Your ultimate relaxation awaits! ✨
  29. Golden Flower Spa:
  30. BlueXado Therapy & Spa:
  31. Pink Flower Spa:
  32. Joseph123456:
    Just relax review
  33. Alibi Massage and Spa:
    Unwind in ALIBI 🥀 this WEDNESDAY: Jasmine, Kay, Jade, Sandy 📞905 212 1222📍1380 Matheson Blvd East, Mississauga
  34. EMSpa_schedule:
    For Wednesday April 2, 2025, our attendants are Sandy 😘, Opal 🥰, Cici 😍, Yoyo 🔥 and Carla ❣. Call us at (905) 479-6668 to book your favourite and head on over to 7665 Kennedy Road, Unit 4, Markham, ON, Canada!
  35. Red Rose Spa:
    🌸 We have 5 hot brown girls today 🌸 PAOLA, AMMU, MONIKA, ANGELINA, NISHA, KIRAN, DIYA, ANGEL 🌸 2588 Birchmount 🌸 2 Invergordon 🌸 647-702-8800 🌸 Please visit for a great erotic massage
  36. Jenny’s Spa:
    🎉🍒JENNY’S SPA🎉🍒 ✅5170 DUNDAS STREET WEST✅ 👌ETOBICOKE ONTARIO M9A 1C4👌 ☎️( 647-893-5196)☎️Call or Text ☎️( 437-888-3759)☎️Call Only (ETOBICOKE) OPEN 10am to 9pm MONDAY to SUNDAY 🔥✅GRAND OPENING💯NEW GIRLS EVERYDAY🔥EXCELLENT MASSAGE + SERVICE QUEENS NOW AVAILABLE AT JENNY’S SPA FOR ALL YOUR MASSAGE AND SPECIAL EXTRA NEEDS🔥💯😘🔥❤️👌 🔥TWO BEAUTIFUL NEW YOUNG ASIAN GIRLS EVERYDAY🔥 💯REAL PICTURES OF ATTENDANTS💯 🔥💋Limited Time Special Promotion🔥💋 ✅💦30 Minutes Nude Massage w
  37. Lily Spa:
    ❤️ KAJAL, ELENA and SUSU are here today for your massage needs ❤️ Lily Spa ❤️ 2190 McNicoll ❤️ Scarborough ❤️ M1V 5M2 ❤️ (647) 531-8288 ❤️
  38. SugarLoveSpa:
    hi today have Susan, Ella, Tifany, Lisa come baby all young beautiful girls
  39. Moneylee:
    All season wellness center : New Young girl big boobs beautiful face deep massage Zoe ,young girl pretty face nice figure Thai deep massage Helen,Young girl big breasted beautiful buttocks charming temperament summer ,Young girl Big breasted saucy naughty Ella , Enchanting sexy petite deep massage Sherry ,address: #5-30 Rambler dr Brampton ,Ontario L6W 1E2☎️4376655510 🦵🦵👅👅🈵🈵👄👄
  40. Annie Spa:
    🎉🍒ANNIE SPA🎉🍒 ✅7-1001 SANDHURST CIRCLE✅ 👌SCARBOROUGH ON M1V 1Z6👌 ☎️ (647) 891-9688☎️ ☎️ (416) 291-8879☎️ (FINCH & MCCOWAN) OPEN 9:30am to 9pm MONDAY to SUNDAY 🔥✅NEW MANAGEMENT💯NEW GIRLS🔥🔥 🔥GORGEOUS NEW YOUNG ASIAN GIRLS - TODAY’s ROSTER INCLUDES: 🔥 Feifei😘Our new Taiwanese beauty Feifei specializes in creating an intimate and deeply relaxing massage experience tailored to your desires. Her soft, skilled hands glide effortlessly, easing tension and awakening your senses with
  41. Moneylee:
    Full season wellness center: Young girl Big-breasted big big butts Aris , Young girl big breasted beautiful buttocks charming temperament big boobs Rose,Young girl big breasted beautiful buttocks charming temperament big boobs Julia ,Young beautiful face sexy body and good deep massage maggie,Enchanting sexy petite deep massage Mary. 🏠 2560 Shepard ave Mississauga unit 1 ☎️ 4379857899 🦵🦵👅👅👄👄🈵🈵
  42. Golden Sunshine Spa:
    ✨Click on our Username and FOLLOW US for updates and special services ! ✅ Click Here Today🌸Akame🌸Christina🌸Camila🌸Lynda🌸Antonela Call us ☎ 905 - 265 - 2158☎️ Your ultimate service awaits! ✨
  43. bnwellness_wilson:
    We have 4 masseuse are working today. Vicky,Mia,Ella and Lina are providing deep tissue massage, pls call 4163985777 book appointment and walk in always welcome, back entrance and parking available. 350 Wilson Ave North York
  44. AliceSpa:
    WEDNESDAY at 𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗦𝗣𝗔 416-298-0898, 4915 Steeles Ave. E, Scarborough 3 very nice girls here today. Open 10am to 9pm: AMY (12pm – 9pm) is a young, petite short & slim Taiwanese, former dance instructor, firm natural B Cups, pretty face, firm natural titis, super play good, bbbj, cim, rim, dfk, all services. APPLE: from Hong Kong, very small body, 5' 100Lbs, petite with natural C Cups
  45. HollywoodSpa:
    Wednesday at 🎭𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗬𝗪𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗦𝗣𝗔🎭, 4578 Yonge St, Unit 100, North York, ON: NICOLE & SISI. ☎𝟰𝟭𝟲-𝟮𝟮𝟮-𝟱𝟱𝟱𝟰☎ NICOLE is petite, slim and very pretty, with C Cups , long hair & a slim waist. She has nice massage and great services. SISI is a sweet slim beauty, 5’2”, with a beauty ass, excellent massage, and amazing services. Come and see why she is so popular. When you visit 🎭Hollywood
  46. ForeverWarden:
    Wednesday at 🫦❤️🔴🟥♾️𝓕𝓞𝓡𝓔𝓥𝓔𝓡 𝓢𝓟𝓐♾️🟥🔴❤️🫦2190 Warden Ave, Unit 201, Scarborough 𝟰𝟭𝟲-𝟴𝟬𝟬-𝟳𝟴𝟴𝟳: Bella, Cindy & Sasa. Bella is around 5’3” with a thin to medium build, C Cups, and a pleasing personality. She can offer dfk, bbbj and cfs as well as a good massage experience. Cindy is a slim beauty, 5’4”, natural C Cups. Her massage is nice, her services will drive you wild & her finish is a dream
  47. HolidaySpa:
    Wednesday at 🌴😎🌅𝓗𝓸𝓵𝓲𝓭𝓪𝔂 𝓢𝓹𝓪🌅😎🌴3517 Kennedy Rd, Unit 4, Scarborough ☎️𝟰𝟯𝟳-𝟮𝟰𝟳-𝟭𝟭𝟵𝟵☎️: EMILY, KIKI & CINDY. EMILY is a VERY tiny petite SPINNER superstar of the highest quality. Emily has a pretty face, natural A Cups, slim waist, and a lovely spinner bottom, topped off with the very best of services. Kiki is very attractive, young, about 5’4” and 110 Lbs., slim with a banging body.
  48. SugarLoveSpa:
    Wednesday at ❤️💙 💜⎝𝗦𝗨𝗚𝗔𝗥 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 𝗦𝗣𝗔⎠💖💗💘: ELLA, LISA, SUSAN & TIFFANY. 1270 Finch Ave W (at Keele St), Unit 18. North York, ON ☎ 𝟰𝟯𝟳-𝟯𝟲𝟱-𝟮𝟲𝟴𝟴 ☎ ELLA is a lovely Thai sweetheart, 5’1” with C Cups, smooth skin and a very pleasing attitude. LISA is a cute & petite Thai/Chinese mixed beauty with decent massage skills and liberal services.
  49. luckywellness:
    Lucky Wellness Center 4379721888 295 Eglinton Ave E,Unit 7,Mississauga Niko and Kiki work
  50. Lulu1980:
    Phoenix Blossom Spa 🌹🌹🌹2 girls 🔥🔥🔥5124 Dundas St W Etobicoke☎️416-817-3366👍 New Japanese girl Nina ❤️ Natural Big Boobs 38 DD 😘Pink Mini Nipples Hot body slide, super enjoyable😘😘😘😘 very provocative service😘😘😘, professional super Luna deep tissue massage, has therapeutic effect to loosen bones and relieve muscle pressure and will bring you unexpected service effects, she will bring you a little surprise😍😍😍😍❤️You are welcome to make an appointment at any time or walk in the back
Back
Top