Coronavirus: Massage therapist ‘elated’ to reopen her business

DAYTON — Massage therapist and instructor Jennifer Cull, is “elated” to go back to work now that her business has been reclassified under the state medical board.

Cull, who teaches massage therapy and is a member of the American Massage Therapy Association - Ohio Chapter in addition to running her own business, was happy Tuesday when she heard Gov. Mike DeWine announce that massage therapy, acupuncture and cosmetic therapy could reopen Friday, May 15.

“We are elated,” she said, speaking for the AMTA - Ohio Chapter. “Absolutely elated.”

Until a ruling from the Ohio Department of Health last week, Cull said, massage therapy had been incorrectly classified under the category of beautification instead of being classified under the state medical board.

“Massage therapy serves a purpose to our community. We’re there to help provide pain relief,” Cull told News Center 7′s Sean Cudahy on Tuesday night.

Many licensed, independent businesses such as massage therapy have been without an income until Tuesday, she said.

“We understand that safety is of the utmost importance,” said Cull, who is an instructor at the Dayton School of Medical Massage.

Cull thanked the DeWine administration for “understanding the value massage therapy has in Ohio.”

The business climate has been very difficult in Ohio, she said, because most people who perform services in a touch field have been without work since the pandemic. Statistically, Cull said, the majority of massage therapists are independent contractors.

The problem has been that in some parts of Ohio, some massage therapists have been allowed to continue working based on location and not on safety practices, Cull said.

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