§ 15-266. Definitions.

The following definitions shall apply to this article. Any word or phrase not defined below but otherwise defined in this article shall be given that meaning. All other words or phrases shall be given their common ordinary meaning unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

(a)

The word "director" shall mean the director of finance, or his/her designee.

(b)

The term "massage establishment" shall mean any business established for profit which employs or contracts with one (1) or more "massage therapists," or operates or maintains for profit one (1) or more "massage apparatus", and which, for good or valuable consideration, offers to the public facilities and personnel for the administration of "massages." This term shall not include hospitals or other professional health care establishments separately licensed as such by the State of Georgia.

(c)

The term "massage" or "massages" or "massage therapy" shall mean the manipulation and/or treatment of soft tissues of the body, including but not limited to the use of effleurage, petrissage, pressure, friction, tapotement, kneading, vibration, range of motion stretches, and any other soft tissue manipulation whether manual or by use of massage apparatus, and may include the use of oils, lotions, creams, salt glows, hydrotherapy, heliotherapy, hot packs, and cold packs. This term shall not include diagnosis, the prescribing of drugs or medicines, spinal or other joint manipulations, or any service or procedure for which a license to practice chiropractic, physical therapy, podiatry, or medicine is required by the State of Georgia.

(d)

The term "massage therapist" shall mean any person whom for good or valuable consideration administers a "massage."

(e)

The term "massage apparatus" shall mean any manual, mechanical, hydraulic, hydrokinetic, electric, or electronic device or instrument or any device or instrument operated by manual, mechanical, hydraulic, hydrokinetic or electric power, which is utilized by a "massage therapist" for the purpose of administering a "massage."

(Ord. No. 99-05, § 1, 2-9-99)