The recent publicity given to this article in the NY Times has thrown a national spotlight onto an issue which has been of concern to the reflexology profession for some time. In New York State, Governor Cuomo immediately announced several measures to be implemented in an effort to address some of the issues raised and other officials, including NYC Mayor Bill De Blasio, have announced investigations into the nail salon industry.
Although the problem of working with unsafe chemicals and products is particular to the nail salons, the issues regarding employment practices and other illegal activity is something which has been of great concern to reflexology associations across the country for some time. Over the last few years, there has been an ever increasing number of ‘foot spas’ opening up all over the country, many purporting to offer reflexology. They are becoming more and more common in ‘nice’ areas – hiding in plain sight so to speak, in towns where residents may believe “it could never happen here”. But stop and think for a moment and something seems off – $25 or less for an hour-long session? How is it possible for trained staff to be fully paid and for the rent and other overheads to be met? There are a number of such businesses in my own town which are frequently empty or almost empty, and one location has twice seen its premises emptied overnight, only to reopen a few days later under a new name. The ‘foot spas’ are frequently run by the same people who own and operate nail salons and there is a lot of evidence already on the record that many of the same problems have arisen. Untrained practitioners is the least of it – even worse, incidences of human trafficking are being increasingly uncovered. A quick internet search soon reveals that this is an issue nationally that has been flying under the radar, bringing up many troubling cases like this one in Connecticut.
The Reflexology Association of America has been trying to get the word out about what constitutes legitimate reflexology practice. Perhaps the furor surrounding the NYT piece will finally alert consumers to become better educated and to take a stand against such practices. Please support your local reflexology association in this fight for ethical, legitimate, professional practice everywhere.
