PA MASSAGE THERAPISTS RALLY FOR PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE IN STATE CAPITOL

HARRISBURG, Oct. 26 -- On Wednesday, October 26^th, hundreds of massage therapists from across Pennsylvania joined in Harrisburg to send one clear message to their state government: It’s time to license the growing practice of massage therapy in Pennsylvania.

 State Senator Connie Williams and State Representative Keith McCall, sponsors of Senate Bill 958 and House Bill 1643 respectively, spoke out in favor of licensure at the 10 am rally in the Capitol rotunda.  They were joined by American Massage Therapy Association – PA Chapter President Nancy Porambo and Leena Guptha, D.O., Vice President of the American Massage Therapy Association.

 “Thousands of Pennsylvanians from all over the state have already experienced massage therapy as a part of the promotion of personal well-being,” Nancy Porambo noted today. “We must never forget that when we put our hands on someone else, there is an immense responsibility.  This piece of legislation sets parameters to guide the profession.”

 37 states already recognize the practice of massage therapy for stress relief, the remediation of minor aches and pains and promotion of general well-being, and nine additional States are pending licensure.  The American Massage Therapy Association – Pennsylvania Chapter insists that Pennsylvania must take action to license the practice in the Commonwealth in order to ensure citizens are receiving massage from highly qualified practitioners who have met strong educational and training requirements.  Further, the licensure process will protect the public from unscrupulous individuals exploiting the title of ‘massage therapist’ for illegal activity.

 “This legislation has widespread support from the massage therapy community, members of state government, other practice groups and sixty-six members of the House of Representatives from both sides of the aisle who cosponsored my legislation,” said Rep. Keith McCall, sponsor of HB 1643.  “It’s the right thing to do to enforce health and safety standards for consumers, and to provide professional massage therapists with the credibility they deserve.”

“As the medical community's knowledge of health care and wellness advances, there is a renewed emphasis on combining traditional and alternative medicine - taking a whole body approach,” Senator Connie Williams, sponsor of Senate Bill 958, said today.  “Massage therapy is a legitimate part of our health-care delivery system and consumers have a right to know that the health-care professionals they choose to care for themselves and their families have the education and training necessary to do their job.”