Massage Therapy Professionals Celebrate State Licensure
      At Healing Arts Massage Therapy,we have been massaging the Plymouth and Northwest Detroit communities for over 25 years. When I began my training 30 years ago, there were no state-licensed schools -- massage was not popular as it is now. In fact, back then people smirked when I told them what I did for a living, thinking of the shady “massage parlors”. As a profession, we had to combat that negative concept in order to teach the benefits of touch for healing.
      My initial instructor was a woman from Finland, Irene Gauthier, who at that time was teaching class out of her basement in Southfield -- I was in her first class. Today she owns a beautiful facility in Southfield,Irene's School of Myomassology. She is in her 80s, and still teaching and massaging people.
      The popularity of massage as a profession has come a long way. For over thirty years we have pursued the State of Michigan to license massage therapists, as they do other working professionals. We have spent thousands of dollars on lobbyists, and finally, this year in fact, Jennifer Granholm signed the bill to license massage therapists.
      This law allows only a licensed person to practice massage therapy. It establishes educational and examination standards, and provides preemption of local ordinances currently in effect. State licensure will help eliminate massage parlors, and also make it possible to practice massage in all cities throughout the state.
      This is good news for Michigan’s Massage Therapists, who in today's economic uncertainty, are facing challenging times. People are spending money mainly on the essentials, and some see massage as a luxury they cannot afford.
      Yet now more than ever, we need to take care of our selves. People today have more stress than ever, which if left untreated can develop into other physiological problems. Financial security is important, but good health is essential! With some people losing their jobs and medical insurance, now more than ever it is important to maintain good health and learn how to manage stress.
      At our center, we offer relief from stress, pain and fatigue – and we also teach our clients how to manage their stress as well. Give yourself a much-needed break and invest in yourself! Hope to see you soon.
Be well,
Celeste