Testimony for Amendment to HB 81 — Amy S Brown, Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy

Summary

Testimony for amendment to HB 81 submitted by Amy S Brown. It states the definition of massage therapy in HB 81 is too broad and should be amended so that licensure requirements do not apply to Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy teachers and practitioners, and states that Biodynamic Craniosacral therapy is not massage therapy. The testimony quotes proposed exemption language that it says was submitted by the professional organization Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy Association of North America (BCTA/NA). It states BCTA/NA does not oppose the bill and its intent to better regulate the massage therapy profession, but that the very broad definition could be interpreted to include practitioners of BCST as massage therapists.

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Testimony for amendment to HB 81
Submitted by Amy S Brown
5/25/21


The definition of massage therapy in HB 81 is too broad, and should be amended so that it is clear that
licensure requirements do not apply to Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy teachers and practitioners.
Biodynamic Craniosacral therapy is not massage therapy.

Language similar to that we propose has been supported by the American Massage Therapy Association
and is in place in many other states that regulate massage. Here is the language that was submitted to you
by the professional organization Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy Association of North America, and which
I support:

I support the proposed exemption language the BCTA/NA JGRC submitted regarding SB 55 & HB 81.

We suggest the inclusion of a suitable exemption, similar to the one proposed for reflexology, in Sec.
4731.15 (F) of the Revised Code:

(F) The following persons are not required to hold a license to practice massage therapy issued under this
chapter:
(5) A person who:
(a) uses touch, words, and directed movement to deepen awareness of existing patterns of movement as
well as to suggest new possibilities of movement;
(b) or uses energy or superficial touch to affect the energy systems of the human body;
(c) or uses touch to effect change in the structure of the body while engaged in the practice of structural
integration;
(d) and is recognized by or meets the established standards of either a professional organization or
credentialing body that represents or certifies the respective practice based on a minimum level of training,
demonstration of competency, and adherence to ethical standards          Exemptions using, or based on, this
language are in place in most states that regulate massage therapy and are supported by the AMTA and
numerous other organizations representing non-massage practices.          BCTA/NA does not oppose this bill
and its intent to better regulate the massage therapy profession. However, the very broad definition of
massage therapy in the bill could be interpreted to include practitioners of BCST as massage therapists.
BCST is not part of massage therapy training and is not recognized by massage therapy programs.


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