05/13/2020
Further Clarification of Massage Therapy Services Allowed
May 12, 2020
Under the Governor’s Executive Order GA-21 (GA-21), massage establishments must remain closed until further notice. GA-21 also prohibits people from providing services which are not designated as essential or re-opened, including massage therapy.
GA-21 designates healthcare providers, including physicians and chiropractors, as essential. It does not include massage therapists, unless they are providing services determined to be medically necessary by a physician, chiropractor, or other healthcare provider. Massage therapy that is not medically necessary is still not allowed. If a licensed massage therapist performs a medically necessary massage, they must do so in accordance with the massage therapy laws and rules, including the requirement of a consultation document. A medically necessary massage may be performed in the office of a physician or chiropractor or any other place that is exempt from the requirement for a massage establishment license under Texas Occupations Code §455.155.
Please note that GA-21 overrides conflicting local orders, and the ability to provide massage therapy may change as further orders are issued.
