Clinical massage therapist urges Lake Forest to treat licensed therapists as health-care providers

Sheri Weldon, who identified herself as a clinical massage therapist and a member of the California Massage Therapy Council, told the council that clinical massage differs from spa or relaxation services and often involves treatment prescribed by physicians.

"I am asking Lake Forest to step up and become the first city to recognize these distinctions and support clinical massage practices as healthcare businesses," Weldon said, urging the council to consider a separate designation, permit category or operational standard for qualified health-care professionals who meet higher education and certification standards.

Weldon emphasized that she is not seeking less regulation but a regulatory approach that reflects differences in training and clinical outcomes. She cited prescriptions from MDs, OBGYNs and chiropractors that direct clinical massage for pain management and recovery.

In subsequent public comment Brian McMillan opposed blanket classification of massage businesses as threats to public safety, saying such a stance would "exterminate the livelihoods" of legitimate operators and calling the proposed restrictions "crazy." He argued enforcement should follow existing law and cautioned against sweeping measures.

Why it matters: Council consideration of how to regulate personal-care and clinical massage businesses affects local entrepreneurs, health-care providers, public-health objectives and code enforcement practices.

What’s next: The transcript records these public comments but does not show council action on a new permit class during the June 2 meeting.