Massage therapists fight negative image

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Some massage therapists in the Fort Wayne area are trying to fight a negative image after police busted another local massage parlor for prostitution.

Linette Pass, 45, of Fort Wayne was arrested at the Relaxation Station Massage Parlor, Monday morning, after she offered to provide an undercover officer with extra services after his massage.

Most massage therapy businesses in the Fort Wayne area are legitimate and offer nothing more than what they advertise. NewsChannel 15 spoke with the owners of Fort Wayne Massage and Tranquil Touch Spa who say they are frustrated with the prostitution problem and the negative light it puts on their industry.

"I'm surprised it hasn't been caught earlier, because we've all known about it," said Melinda Smith, owner of the Tranquil Touch Spa on Maplecrest Rd. "I've even had one therapist who left working there, because she felt like something was strange."

Smith says she's turned off, because she and her employees have gone to school for massage therapy and are certified and licensed therapists. "They have to go to an accredited school where they receive at least 500 hours of massage therapy training and then they need to receive their license from the state of Indiana," explained Smith. "We worked hard to get our license here. We worked hard for our schooling. And we also value our clients and know that they deserve the therapeutic treatment and nothing extra."

She says the alleged prostitution at other massage parlors has hurt her legitimate business in the past.

"Sometimes we do notice a slight lull in business and that things slow down just for a minute. And we have do redeem ourselves," said Smith.

To make matters worse, Smith says she has to weed out people she calls "creepers."

"We know a creeper when they ask about the draping techniques. They'll ask if they're allowed to use sheets or if they cannot be draped during the massage," explained Smith.

She says potential clients should do their homework and remember to avoid certain massage lingo. "We don't call ourselves masseuses. We call ourselves massage therapists. We don't call the massage table a massage bed, because it is not a bed."

Even with those hurdles, Smith keeps focused on why she got into the business.

"I just hope that clients can find the right massage therapist and the right massage place that's professional and that really wants to take care of them for the right reasons."

Pass was charged with prostitution and her bond was set for $750. No other arrests were made.