The Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, which deals mostly with manicurists and hairstylists, determined last year that the young industry fell under its purview because of a law that encompasses the beautification and cleansing of the feet. Many foot massage businesses soak customers' feet in warm water and herbs before administering a massage.
Many foot massage operators abide by individual city rules that often require that masseuses complete several hundred hours of schooling and that a certified health professional -- such as an acupuncturist or massage therapist -- be on-site.
State officials are moving forward with the enforcement even though they acknowledge the jurisdictional issues are still unclear.
"It's a gray area right now," said Jim Jacobs, a supervising inspector for the state board. "Our legal [department] is looking at it. Either they're going to say it's not our jurisdiction, or there's going to have to be a new statute written."
Foot massage has been popular in Asia for decades, but has only recently arrived in the United States. The practice, said to be thousands of years old, is based on the belief that different nerve endings in the foot correspond with the body's internal organs.
Masseuses target these pressure points to energize the organs. There are no studies proving that foot massage benefits overall health, but many customers swear by it.
Lau and others believe the state is cracking down out of concern that illicit sexual activities are occurring at the parlors -- something owners strongly deny.
"They think foot massage must be something to do with sex," Lau said. "They don't understand how popular this is in Asia. It's part of Chinese culture."
(Though she finds it curious that some businesses have private rooms with massage tables, McLaughlin said the suspicion of illicit sexual activity was not the driving force behind the enforcement.)
Business owners say that they should not have to face enforcement until lawmakers establish a separate set of rules for foot massage.
What's worse, they argue, is that the schooling required for a Board of Barbering and Cosmetology license does not include any instruction on foot massage, but mostly hair and nail work.
Lau could stand to lose the most from the changes. The former gold setter from Hong Kong has built a foot massage empire of sorts with eight parlors in Los Angeles County and two apiece in Nevada and San Jose.
