Publications

Americans’ use of therapeutic massage has increased over recent years, as have Americans’ perceptions about massage therapists as providers of a health-related service. Yet, in California, massage therapy as a profession continues to be treated in law as an activity more associated with criminal activity than with health. This issue brief describes key policy challenges facing the massage therapy profession in California. Although their integration into traditional health care appears to be increasing, little is known about this workforce. Current public policy does not recognize massage therapy as a health-related profession, but national changes could indicate directions for reform.