Protecting Your Health: Choose a Qualified Massage Therapist

Suzan D. Walker LMT 104331
Sep 18
2 min read

Updated: Sep 21

Your health and well-being deserve expert care. Choosing a qualified massage therapist ensures you receive safe, professional, and nurturing treatment that truly supports your body and mind. It’s important to be informed and cautious when selecting a massage provider to avoid unlicensed or illicit establishments.

The Growing Problem of Illicit Massage Businesses

In Dallas–Fort Worth, enforcement actions have revealed a troubling pattern. When illicit massage businesses (IMBs) are shut down, many quickly rebrand under new names, move into suburban office spaces, and attempt to mimic legitimate independent massage businesses. Some flood Google and other search engines with fake listings, sometimes creating profiles for each “staff member” to appear more established. In some cases, they illegally use the licenses of therapists or legitimate businesses to operate under false pretenses.

Currently, there are over 70 known illicit massage businesses operating in Arlington alone. These tactics not only mislead the public but also bury legitimate massage businesses in search results, damage the reputation of the profession, and, most importantly, put vulnerable individuals at risk of exploitation.

Close-up of a hand holding a pen, marking a checkbox on a paper form. The background is blurred, creating a focused and intentional mood. — To ensure your safety it is recommended to check credentials of new businesses in the Arlington, Texas area

How Clients Can Protect Themselves

To ensure your safety and support licensed professionals, keep an eye out for these red flags:

Verify credentials. Always ask to see the therapist’s license and confirm it through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Massage establishments are required to display their license along with the massage therapist's picture license. Independent massage therapists often showcase their licenses in their therapy rooms, whereas those offering outcall services typically carry a paper ID with them.
Questionable reviews. Hundreds of vague or repetitive reviews that appear overnight may indicate fake activity.
Multiple listings or staff profiles. Several businesses or individual listings tied to one address or phone number can signal an IMB.
Unprofessional practices. No intake forms, no health-history discussion, vague service menus, extremely low prices, suggestive advertising, or odd business hours such as late-night or 24/7.
High turnover or unusual arrangements. Employees appearing to live on-site or rapid staff changes are concerning signs. This does not apply to independent and licensed massage therapists who have a home office.

How to Report Suspicious Activity

If you suspect an establishment may be operating illegally or unethically, take these steps:

Verify licenses. Use TDLR’s online database to check both the therapist and the massage establishment. Report suspected trafficking or exploitation. Call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, text 233733, or use their confidential online chat.

File a report with TDLR. They have dedicated channels for investigating unlicensed or illicit activity in massage businesses.

Contact local law enforcement. If you feel unsafe or witness a crime, notify your local police department immediately.

Staying Safe, Supporting Legitimate Care

By staying informed, verifying credentials, and reporting suspicious activity, you can help protect your own health and well-being while also supporting legitimate massage therapists who are dedicated to ethical, professional care. Together, we can ensure massage therapy remains a safe, healing, and respected profession in our community.