A-1 Acupressure and Acupuncture can continue to operate in Ozark but can no longer advertise or provide massages as it had done in the past, although criminal charges for illegally administering massages are still active.
City of Ozark attorney Joe Adams said the business on U.S. Highway 231 was not licensed under the state Board of Massage Therapy to provide massages, which it advertised. Adams said the business was cited and at least one employee who gave an undercover officer a massage was charged.
Bill Kominos, attorney for A-1 owner Samuel Lee, said the company would follow any laws set forth in the city.
The business location is in the area of the former Tokyo Spa, which was the site of a prostitution sting about two years ago.
"There seems to be that horrible stench from the business before. Let me assure you that ... as long as (A-1) does business in the City of Ozark, they will adhere to the strict principles. ... I've been informed people take their children there. If their children have a stuffy nose, headache or whatever, they seek acupuncture or acupressure," Kominos said.
Adams said the criminal charges against the business for performing massages without the proper license would stand in municipal court at this point.
"Acupressure is an old healing art. Acupuncture uses needles, and you have to have a license to do both. I'm told the difference between acupressure and massage is just when you wiggle your fingers ... but (massage therapy) sounds like a medical study. You have to take 100 hours of course studies and testing ... ," Adams said. To see more of The Dothan Eagle or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.dothaneagle.com. Copyright (c) 2008, Dothan Eagle, Ala. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
Copyright (C) 2008 Dothan Eagle, Ala.