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What do you think of the term "Masseuse?" or "Massage Parlor"? to describe your professional self?
Recently in my local Arlington, MA newspaper, an article ran describing legitimate massage businesses as "massage parlors" and the bodyworkers therein, as "Masseuses." The article went on to describe how local police had investigated whether these offices were operating legally. As reported, one of the businesses was shut down after a person offered sex for money. The others were operating legally.
In Mass. we are now 2 years into wonderful state licensure. Those who disagree with the term "wonderful" may not have had to have 5 licenses in the 5 towns they worked in with arbitrary fees and requirements such as a VD test, fingerprinting, extra passport pics of you for the Vice Squad files along with many other sordid and ridiculous things--but I digress and that's a different topic for a different blog post. In our licensing, "bodywork" was excluded from licensure of the various factions of bodyworkers own volition. One of the business "investigated" by the police were actually practicing Asian bodywork legally, and did not require a Mass. license. This being the press, much ballyhoo went into playing up the possibility of a sordid business happening vs. the therapeutic work that was more likely.
I wrote a letter to the editor educting them that the term "massage parlor" and "masseuse" was outdated and degrading to the many gifted practitioners in our chosen field. I also spoke of the above legislation, and that the bodyworkers were correct in not needing a license to practice. There's a backstory here which I will not go into, where the local Health Department extorted unnecessary fees from local MT's but again, a digression, although a player in the impetus of the investigation.
The writer of the article politely wrote back, professing ignorance of the correct term "massage therapist" and said that other businesses he knew of called themselves "parlors" He also said he was reluctant to use the word "office" thinking that meant desks and filecabinets, and was "studio" more appropriate. I answered in some cases that could be correct, but did a chiropractor, acupuncturist or dentist call their office a studio?
What do you think of these terms? What do you call your office, or place of business? Some of you may work in a "salon" or "spa" and these terms are absolutely appropriate. But my business is neither, and I call my business an office. It's actually in a collaborative healing center, which is also accurate and comfortable. Do you like to be called a "masseuse" ? What do you think of this term? If it comes from anyone other than someone who is French, I have a problem with it in that it has been used historyically to describe an escort or prostitute, or other in the sex industry or exchange. I told the editor I would weigh in nationally on this subject and I would really appreciate your professional opinon.
In Mass. we are now 2 years into wonderful state licensure. Those who disagree with the term "wonderful" may not have had to have 5 licenses in the 5 towns they worked in with arbitrary fees and requirements such as a VD test, fingerprinting, extra passport pics of you for the Vice Squad files along with many other sordid and ridiculous things--but I digress and that's a different topic for a different blog post. In our licensing, "bodywork" was excluded from licensure of the various factions of bodyworkers own volition. One of the business "investigated" by the police were actually practicing Asian bodywork legally, and did not require a Mass. license. This being the press, much ballyhoo went into playing up the possibility of a sordid business happening vs. the therapeutic work that was more likely.
I wrote a letter to the editor educting them that the term "massage parlor" and "masseuse" was outdated and degrading to the many gifted practitioners in our chosen field. I also spoke of the above legislation, and that the bodyworkers were correct in not needing a license to practice. There's a backstory here which I will not go into, where the local Health Department extorted unnecessary fees from local MT's but again, a digression, although a player in the impetus of the investigation.
The writer of the article politely wrote back, professing ignorance of the correct term "massage therapist" and said that other businesses he knew of called themselves "parlors" He also said he was reluctant to use the word "office" thinking that meant desks and filecabinets, and was "studio" more appropriate. I answered in some cases that could be correct, but did a chiropractor, acupuncturist or dentist call their office a studio?
What do you think of these terms? What do you call your office, or place of business? Some of you may work in a "salon" or "spa" and these terms are absolutely appropriate. But my business is neither, and I call my business an office. It's actually in a collaborative healing center, which is also accurate and comfortable. Do you like to be called a "masseuse" ? What do you think of this term? If it comes from anyone other than someone who is French, I have a problem with it in that it has been used historyically to describe an escort or prostitute, or other in the sex industry or exchange. I told the editor I would weigh in nationally on this subject and I would really appreciate your professional opinon.
Views: 950
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by lee kalpin on
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Massage Therapy has been a regulated health profession in Ontario since 1918. Under our old legislation, our legal title was Masseur (for men) and Masseuse (for women). It only means "a person who does massage" and did not have a negative conotation back in the day. I have been practicing since 1984 and we have always called ourselves Registered Massage Therapists. We are listed that way in the Yellow Pages of the phone directory and that is what almost all clients call us. Since 1994 the new legislation formally has us designated as Massage Therapists.
Years ago I did see articles about "rub and tug" establishments that confused these sex workers with massage therapists. Numerous RMTs wrote to the newspapers and straightened them out, and since we do have our title under legislation, the reporters quickly learned to be clear in their wording.
As for what I call the place I work - I call it my office or my clinic. I do clinical massage therapy, so that is that most appropriate term (and yes, I do have a desk and a file cabinet as well as a massage table!!!)
J. Arnaldo Pabon said:Wow I'm in Shock. Here in Puerto Rico, the 254 Law Said, Our profesion name is Massage Therapist, because we are part of the Health Campus, we are not Massagist, or Masseurs of nothing about that kind of names, because a "Masseur" for example, is the person who give a happily end (sex) to the massage.
I think some Massage Therapist need to write to the Newspaper and express them feeling.
The expretion he gave about our career is wrong.
About the "studio", you can call a studio at a photografer place to work, or a film room, but we work at clinic, office or centers, but I don't think we call it "studio", that not professional.
Take care everyone.
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Permalink Reply by Napoleon Meadors III on
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As Therapist we have to educate the educated and the uneducated as well regarding our profession. I hear the name massuese and massage parlor more than I really care to. It offends because of the illicite history attached to the two. I respectfully and professionally correct the individual/s that used the terms and I explain to them the difference so that they are clearly informed of the important role we as LMT's play in helping people maintain balance and a healthy lifestyle. I refer to my place of business as a clinic.
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Permalink Reply by Teresa Parrish on
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Wow, I'm in shock too. I googled Masseuse and most definitions were a female that provides massage. One definition did list prostitute in the definition. I didn't realize what a volitale word this was among my peers. There is a quote on the website at one of the places I work that states "the most beautiful experience I have ever had with a massuese." Do those of you who have replied to this forum think that people will read that and think of a happy ending massage?
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