Massage therapy offers numerous health benefits, but it also carries risks, especially when performed by untrained individuals. In Kansas, the debate over whether to require state licensure for massage therapists continues, raising questions about safety, standards, and the potential impact on the industry. This article explores the benefits and risks of massage therapy, examines the arguments for and against state licensure in Kansas, and touches on related health and wellness services available in Salina, Kansas, such as IV nutritional therapy and spinal decompression.
Benefits of Massage Therapy
Beyond simple relaxation, massage therapy can provide a range of medical and mental health benefits. The therapist's hands-on approach can be particularly effective. Studies have shown that massage, when performed correctly, can provide a number of health benefits.
Risks of Untrained Massage
When performed by untrained individuals, massage can carry health risks. This is a central argument in favor of licensing massage therapists, ensuring a basic standard of competence and safety.
The Kansas Licensing Debate
Kansas is one of only a handful of states that do not require a license to practice massage therapy. This has led to a debate over whether the state should implement standards for massage therapists.
Arguments for Licensure
Proponents of licensure argue that it is necessary to protect public health and safety. Marla Hieger of the American Massage Therapy Association's Kansas chapter, states that licensure would discourage individuals involved in trafficking or prostitution from migrating to Kansas. Licensing would establish a basic standard for those working in healthcare settings.
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Senate Bill 40 and House Bill 2123 have been introduced to address this issue, requiring massage therapists to obtain a license from the Kansas State Board of Nursing, pay a licensing fee, complete yearly continuing education, and obtain liability insurance. Current practicing massage therapists may be grandfathered in if they meet requirements before July 2017.
Snyder, a regional developer for Massage Envy, believes that state licensing and the professional standards it brings would benefit Kansas.
Arguments Against Licensure
Opponents of the bill argue that the regulation is unnecessary and could harm the massage industry. Concerns have been raised about the wording of the bill, the composition of the proposed Massage Advisory Committee, and the potential for the bill to prevent local governments from setting their own requirements or licensing.
Lynn Stallard, a self-employed massage practitioner, suggests that massage school owners would have a conflict of interest in determining training and continuing education requirements. She proposed amending the bill to include a person without a formal 500-hour education on the board for the first two years.
Human Trafficking Concerns
The issue of human trafficking has been raised in connection with massage parlors. Law enforcement has found instances of massage workers being transported into Kansas for the purposes of prostitution.
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In 2009, two owners of massage parlors in Johnson County were sentenced to federal prison for recruiting women from China and coercing them into prostitution. More recently, in Topeka, federal prosecutors brought charges against two massage parlor owners for trafficking women for prostitution.
Ruben Salamanca of the Topeka Police Department's Narcotics Vice Unit, noted that some massage parlors were part of the problem of human trafficking, leading to operations against those parlors.
Local vs. State Regulations
Another point of contention is whether standards for massage parlors should be set by the state or by local governments. Several Kansas communities, including Lenexa, have local ordinances requiring massage therapy licenses.
Lenexa Police Chief Thomas Hongslo expressed concerns about the bill's failure to address fraudulent massage therapy schools and the potential for disjointed regulation between local governments and the state.
IV and Injection Nutrition Therapy in Salina, Kansas
In addition to massage therapy, Salina, Kansas, offers other health and wellness services, such as IV and injection nutrition therapy. This involves administering vitamins and nutrients directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the GI tract for a 100% absorption rate. The procedure is considered low-risk and is administered by registered nurses.
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Benefits of IV Nutritional Therapy
IV nutritional therapy can provide several benefits, including:
- Full body hydration
- Boosting necessary vitamins and minerals
- Rejuvenating increase in energy
- Reducing stress, anxiety, tiredness, and improving mood
- Alleviating chronic symptoms of pain, inflammation, and cramps
- Strengthening the immune system
- Helping relieve seasonal allergies
IV Drip Options
Various IV drip options are available, targeting different needs:
- MYER'S COCKTAIL: Vitamin C, B-Vitamin Complex, Calcium, B-12, and Magnesium.
- REVIVE YOURSELF: Vitamin C, B-12, and B Vitamin Complex.
- RECOVERY & PERFORMANCE: Vitamin C, B-Vitamin Complex, Amino Acid Blend, and Mineral Blend.
- IMMUNE BOOST: Vitamin C, B-Vitamin Complex, and Zinc.
- BEAUTY BLEND: Vitamin C, B-Vitamin Complex, B-12, and Biotin.
- THE CURE: Vitamin C, Mineral Blend, and B-Vitamin Complex.
- VITAMAN'S DRIP: Vitamin C, Amino Blend, Mineral Blend, B12, and B Vitamin Complex.
- COVID RECOVERY: High Dose Vitamin C, B-12, Zinc, B Vitamin Complex, Magnesium, and Calcium.
- VITAMIN C HIGH DOSE: High Dose Vitamin C, B complex, Zinc, and B12.
- THE LIONESS (WEIGHTLOSS): Vitamin C, B12, B Vitamin Complex, and Amino Acid blend.
- ADULT BALLER BAG: B12, B Complex, Amino Blend, Mineral Blend, and Vitamin C.
- KIDS BALLER BAG: B12, B Complex, Amino Blend, Mineral Blend, and Vitamin C.
- SALINE BAG: Saline Bag.
Optional Boost Pushes
Optional boosts can be added to any infusion:
- Glutathione: Skin brightening, immunity boost, reduce stress, energy, mental acuity and full body detox.
- Zofran: Helps with symptoms of nausea, vomiting, migraines, or menstrual symptoms.
- Toradol: Headache, flu-like symptoms, soreness, or general pain.
- Dexamethasone: Prevention of migraine rebounds, acute/chronic pain, seasonal allergies.
- Biotin: Regulates metabolism, boost immunity, reduce blood sugar levels.
Injection Options
Several injection options are also available:
- B-12 INJECTION: Increases energy and balance, reduces depression, promotes deeper sleep, reduce cognitive decline, increase metabolism and weight loss, helps with fertility, aids in neuropathies.
- SKINNY STICK INJECTION: Methionine, Inositol, Choline, B6, and B12. Lipotropic agents help maintain a healthy liver through their involvement in lipid metabolism.
- TRIPLE IMMUNE BOOSTER INJECTION: Vitamin C, Zinc, and Glutathione. Fast Immune Booster, energy enhancement and reduces inflammation. Anti-aging properties for beauty enhancement.
- THE ENERGIZER INJECTION: B Vitamin Complex. Helps increase energy, combat fatigue, immune system support, promotes a healthy heart and red blood cell formation. Good for hair, skin, and nails.
- AMINO ACID BOOST INJECTION: Amino Acid Blend. Gives your brain a boost, help with muscle repair, wound healing, cold sores, decrease fatigue, decrease inflammation, and assist weight loss. Can also help with erectile dysfunction.
- LONGEVITY INJECTION: Glutathione. Powerful antioxidants and will reduce free radicals in the body that make your cells age faster.
Other Health Services
Other health services available include physical therapy and sports medicine. Physical therapy is a treatment method for improving limited body movement and functionality that are a result of disease, injury or aging. Sports medicine is a subspecialty of orthopaedics that deals with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries suffered during athletic activity.
Spinal Decompression
Chronic back or neck pain can make it hard to do even the simplest of tasks. People often experience pain from conditions like bulging or herniated disks in the spine, placing pressure on nerves and other spinal structures. Nonsurgical or surgical spinal decompression can reduce the pressure on affected areas and allow you to move with ease. Patients may be eligible for nonsurgical or surgical spinal decompression therapy. Non-surgical spinal decompression involves the use of motorized traction to stretch the spine. This gentle procedure reduces pressure on and may induce retraction of herniated and bulging disks. Surgical spinal decompression is used for those with more serious cases. This alternative may be suggested for those with bony growths or ruptured disks. Types of surgical spinal decompression include Corpectomy, Laminotomy and Diskectomy. Non-surgical spinal decompression can complement a range of other therapies, such as massage therapy or acupuncture. Individuals may require a series of in-office treatments. Each session may last up to 45 minutes. Surgical spinal decompression may be suggested depending on specific conditions and response to other therapies.