Massage therapist suspended on charges of indecent liberties

The suspension prohibits him from practicing as a massage therapist in Washington to protect patient safety and public health

OLYMPIA

State health officials suspended the license of a massage therapist in Yakima County pending further legal action. The therapist was arrested and charged with two counts of indecent liberties, both class B felonies, in Yakima County Superior Court. The suspension prohibits him from practicing as a massage therapist in Washington to protect patient safety and public health.

Depending on the severity of the indecent behavior, massage therapists may face criminal charges like sexual assault, indecent assault, or sexual battery. A conviction can lead to significant fines, imprisonment, and other legal consequences

“The Department of Health and Board of Massage protect and promote public health, safety, and welfare in Washington by regulating the competency and quality of health care providers. The agency establishes, monitors, and enforces qualifications for licensing, consistent standards of practice, continuing competency mechanisms, and discipline. Rules, policies, and procedures promote the delivery of quality health care to people in Washington,” said a statement from the DoH.

Massage therapists provide therapeutic massage to clients, using various techniques to alleviate pain, reduce stress, improve circulation, and promote overall well-being. Their primary duties involve assessing clients, developing treatment plans, performing massages, and educating clients on self-care practices.

In the United States, there are approximately 321,000 registered massage therapists, with a substantial majority, about 235,000, operating as self-employed individuals. The remaining 86,000 are employed by practices, resorts, spas, and physical therapists, earning an average salary of $57,000. The data also shows general average earnings for the industry at just under $29,000, reflecting the variability in earnings between self-employed and salaried therapists.

California leads with 50,247 massage therapists serving a population of 39,029,342. This large number likely reflects the state’s size, diverse population, and significant health and wellness industry presence. Florida follows with 38,189 therapists for a population of 22,244,823, also indicative of a large state with a high demand for wellness services, possibly driven by its sizable retired population.

Texas has 27,470 therapists for its population of 30,029,572, reflecting a substantial but proportionally lower density compared to California and Florida. New York reports 11,375 therapists for 19,677,151 people, suggesting a strong but perhaps more niche market within urban centers like New York City.

Smaller states such as Hawaii (6,295 therapists for 1,440,196 people) and Oregon (7,078 therapists for 4,240,137 people) show a high concentration of therapists per capita, possibly due to a strong cultural emphasis on wellness and alternative health practices. Washington, D.C., despite its small size, has 570 therapists for a population of 1,018,396, reflecting a high per capita density, likely due to the affluent and health-conscious population.

States like North Dakota (720 therapists for 779,261 people) and Wyoming (725 therapists for 581,381 people) exhibit lower absolute numbers but relatively high per capita densities due to their smaller populations. Midwestern states such as Ohio (10,474 therapists for 11,756,058 people) and Illinois (9,620 therapists for 12,582,032 people) display moderate concentrations, possibly reflecting balanced demand across urban and rural areas.