Dr. Mally's Massage Library

Don't blame the Psoas
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Don't blame the Psoas Email from Hands On Healing with Dr. James Mally Dear Friends, The psoas often gets blamed for what the iliacus actually does. When clients have limited hip extension, therapists often target the psoa

Sacramento Superior Court Holds California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) in Contempt of Court for Violating Court Order

June 25, 2026 — The Sacramento County Superior Court has found the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) in contempt of court for violating the Court’s Preliminary Injunction requiring CAMTC to process certification applications submitted by graduates of A2ZHealth Massage School.

In its ruling, the Court stated: “The Court finds beyond a reasonable doubt that Defendant is in contempt of court for violating the October 22, 2024 Preliminary Injunction.” The Court applied one of the highest legal standards in the judicial system, concluding beyond a reasonable doubt that CAMTC failed to comply with a lawful court order.

The ruling is a significant development in the ongoing litigation between A2Z Health.Net- massage school, and CAMTC and raises broader questions regarding the accountability of a private nonprofit corporation entrusted with substantial regulatory authority over California’s massage therapy profession.

The litigation followed a sequence of events that A2ZHealth believes evolved into a prolonged campaign of retaliation and what the school describes as a “witch hunt,” with actions against A2Z escalating over time and ultimately resulting in devastating consequences for the school and its graduates. After the Superior Court ordered CAMTC to end its investigation of A2ZHealth and process graduates’ certification applications, CAMTC pursued revocation of A2ZHealth’s school approval and issued its revocation decision on the eve of its contempt trial concerning CAMTC’s noncompliance with that injunction.

During the contempt proceedings, the Court heard testimony from multiple CAMTC employees. The Court concluded that CAMTC applied standards and procedures to A2ZHealth that differed from those applied to other approved schools.

For nearly three decades, A2ZHealth operated as a family-owned California educational institution, educating thousands of massage therapy students. CAMTC's actions have had devastating consequences for A2Z and its community. A2Z has suffered substantial financial and reputational harm, while hundreds of qualified graduates faced prolonged certification delays that prevented them from entering the workforce, earning a livelihood, and pursuing the careers for which they had trained

A2ZHealth has also raised serious governance and transparency concerns. The same organization defending itself in court investigated the school, prosecuted the allegations, conducted the administrative proceedings, and ultimately decided the school’s fate.

For more than three years, A2ZHealth repeatedly asked CAMTC’s Board of Directors to investigate the conduct of its staff, including its CEO, Ahmos Netanel, and Director of Educational Standards Division, Joe Bob Smith, and to independently review the matter. However, the Board did not respond and remained completely silent.

In a related case, ESL massage therapy applicants are represented by pro bono counsel through AJSOCAL in litigation alleging discriminatory treatment by CAMTC, including treatment affecting Asian applicants. A2ZHealth believes these allegations, together with the issues raised in its own litigation, warrant independent and legislative review.

A2ZHealth is calling upon the California Legislature to examine CAMTC’s governance, enforcement practices, transparency, and the adequacy of the current regulatory framework. The Legislature must consider establishing an independent complaint and review process so concerns about CAMTC are not investigated by the same individuals or departments that are the subject of the complaint.

A2ZHealth also believes legislative review should examine the fundamental conflict between California’s student-protection framework and CAMTC’s practices. The Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) promotes educational continuity and measures such as teach-out arrangements to minimize student harm. In contrast, CAMTC refused to permit A2ZHealth to implement a teach-out and declined to recognize education completed after its revocation decision. CAMTC treated the revocation as immediately effective even though A2ZHealth had not yet exercised its right to appeal to CAMTC’s Board of Directors, imposing the consequences before the administrative appeal could occur. When one California regulatory framework seeks to preserve educational continuity while another effectively prevents it before an administrative appeal is heard, the Legislature should examine whether greater due process, and governmental oversight are necessary.

“No private organization exercising this level of authority should be beyond accountability or above the rule of law. We will continue pursuing every lawful avenue available to defend our school, protect our graduates, and advocate for meaningful reform until justice is achieved,” A2ZHealth stated.

About A2ZHealth
A2ZHealth.Net, Inc. Massage School served California students for nearly 28 years and educated thousands of massage therapy professionals. The school continues to advocate for transparency, accountability, due process, and legislative oversight of California’s massage therapy private regulatory system.

Timeline of Key Events
• January 4, 2023 – CAMTC asked A2ZHealth to identify ESL graduates for interviews and hearings.

• September 7, 2023 – Superior Court granted a Preliminary Injunction prohibiting CAMTC from requiring A2ZHealth graduates to undergo education hearings or informal interviews as a condition of certification.

• September 21, 2023 – CAMTC placed A2ZHealth under investigation and ceased processing certification applications submitted by its graduates.

• October 22, 2024 – Superior Court granted a second Preliminary Injunction ordering CAMTC to end its investigation into A2ZHealth and resume processing graduates’ certification applications.

• January 23, 2025 – CAMTC issued a Notice of Proposed Revocation of A2ZHealth’s school approval.

• April 24, 2026 – CAMTC issued its decision revoking A2ZHealth’s school approval.

• April 27, 2026 – Superior Court conducted the three-day civil contempt trial.

• June 25, 2026 – Superior Court found CAMTC in contempt beyond a reasonable doubt for violating the October 22, 2024 Preliminary Injunction.

Supporting Court Documents
October 22, 2024 court Injunction

June 25, 2026 contempt ruling

Additional resources for your review:

AJSOCAL PRESS RELEASE

AMTA Advocacy- State License

Healwell Podcast

California relies heavily on a voluntary, nonprofit certification system administered by CAMTC, while the majority of U.S. states regulate massage therapists through state licensing boards. In California, approximately half of cities and counties recognize or require CAMTC certification, while others do not, creating a fragmented and inconsistent regulatory landscape. There are approximately 50,000 CAMTC-certified massage professionals statewide, alongside an estimated 25,000 individuals working without certification, as well as others who may face barriers to obtaining certification

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Today, June 3, marks my 50th anniversary as a massage therapist. My journey began in September 1975 when I enrolled in a 1,000-hour program in Miami, Florida. I was nicknamed “Malleolus” while in school. I graduated from massage school on June 3, 1976. I have always found it humorous that my diploma lists "Massage Technology" as if I were trained to work on machines.

I initially enrolled because friends were attending, and I thought it would be an enjoyable experience. As a veteran, my GI Bill benefits supported me through that year and later helped me complete Naturopathic Medical College. Throughout my career—whether as a student or while directing and teaching at a massage school—I have always maintained my private practice.

Early in my career, I faced a challenge with wrist pain that made me fear I couldn't continue. However, I discovered that a specific technique I had learned was the cause. By modifying that technique, the pain vanished. Later, in 1979, I studied with a Chinese Tai Chi master in San Francisco. The movement patterns I learned then have informed my bodywork and contributed significantly to my longevity in this profession.

Although I am now well past retirement age, I continue to enjoy seeing clients, traveling, and teaching. I feel truly blessed to love my work and to have had the opportunity to help others for half a century.

You can learn more about my journey here: https://massagelibrary.com/about/

An evening patrol at the local shopping mall took a surreal turn for a security guard who discovered a very relaxed predator in the concourse. A large grey wolf had wandered into the building and managed to climb perfectly into one of the coin-operated leather massage chairs. The intelligent animal even rested its heavy paw directly over the remote control, inadvertently activating the vibration setting. It sat back with a look of pure contentment, closing its eyes as the mechanical rollers worked through its thick winter coat.

The security guard immediately stopped in his tracks, gripping his radio while trying to comprehend why a dangerous wild canine was enjoying a spa day near the food court. He kept a very safe distance, calling for professional wildlife assistance while keeping an eye on the completely unbothered wolf. The animal stayed in the chair for nearly twenty minutes, genuinely feeling the vibe of the deep tissue massage until the timer finally ran out. When the gentle humming stopped, the wolf simply hopped down and allowed the arriving experts to safely guide it out the back exit.

Free Download - Deep Tissue Massage Workbook

My Deep Tissue Massage video was released in 1996 on a VHS tape. It was later converted to DVD and then uploaded to the Massage Library.

The companion Deep Tissue Massage Workbook was originally published in 1996 and has since gone through 13 printings. Much has changed over the last 30 years, so I am offering a free digital version with updated information, including links to variations on techniques.

Each page includes QR codes that link to videos of the techniques. The QR codes are clickable if you are reading the workbook on a computer or tablet, or you can scan them if you are reading a printed page.

The digital edition of the Deep Tissue Massage Workbook is free for library members, and will be free for everyone for a limited time. You can find it here.

If you join the library, you can also download digital editions of my other workbooks: Swedish Massage, Sports Massage, Side-Lying Massage, and Massage Cupping. They are all available at www.massagelibrary.com

https://massagelibrary.com/video/deep-tissue-massage-workbook-digital-edition/

Massage Library with Dr. James Mally

A rash associated with early Lyme disease, called erythema migrans (EM), has long been considered the hallmark sign of acute infection with Borrelia burgdorferi, the primary cause of Lyme disease in the United States. However, less than 50% of tick bites will get a EM rash or a rash of any sort.

Know the risks and protect yourself.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY 😅

New Contraindication for Cupping

I had an interesting experience while teaching at Carlson College of Massage in Iowa recently. One of the students had recently recovered from Lyme disease. As he was getting ready to receive a treatment, we discovered a tick on his chest. Needless to say, he was very ticked off.

We used tweezers to safely remove the entire tick. It was suggested to place a massage cup over the tick bite to help remove any secretions from the tick. We decided not to do that, as one of the signs of Lyme disease is a ring around the bite area. Cupping the area can create a ring, confusing the diagnosis.

The good news is that the tick was later examined and identified as a wood tick, not a deer tick, so it was very unlikely to be a carrier of Lyme disease.

I would not do cupping for a tick bite. As always, it is important to get medical attention for any serious bite.

The picture below is from a Google image search and shows a ring around a tick bite.

For many years, I have recommended slow eccentric loading for the healing of muscle, tendon, and ligament injuries. This YouTube video shows why eccentric loading can work, but that isometric loading can be even more effective.

This Scientist Tried to Rupture His Achilles Tendon… and Fixed It Instead Dr. Keith Baar tells the story of Dr. Håkan Alfredson's Achilles tendinopathy. Dr. Keith Baar is a Professor at the University of California, Davis in the De...