Longtime Iowa City massage therapist, instructor accused of practicing without a license

For nearly five years, the founder and director of The Shiatsu Clinic & School in Iowa City has been practicing massage therapy without a license, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health.

The state's Board of Massage Therapy on Wednesday issued a notice of charges against James Luth II and set a disciplinary hearing for June 5.

Luth faces charges of practicing the profession while the license is under suspension, inactive or delinquent and representing oneself as a massage therapist when one's license has been suspended or revoked, or when one's license is on inactive status.

According to the notice, Luth's license to practice massage therapy expired May 15, 2007. Luth has practiced massage therapy without an active license for more than four years, according to the massage therapy board.

Luth told The Gazette on Wednesday that the alleged violations are the result of a "clerical error," and he didn't know his license had expired.

“They don't send things out in the mail, and I missed the renewal,” he said. “We didn't pay attention.”

Luth said the necessary paperwork is in the mail, and the situation should be resolved shortly.

“It was a mistake, and I will take care of it,” he said.

Luth said he's been practicing massage for 26 years and has maintained a clinical practice while also teaching Focused Touch Shiatsu, developing a research program and founding Natural Health A/V, which produces video and audio tapes on natural health topics.

“I do continuing education, I teach internationally – I helped write the massage therapy licensing law,” he said. “This is a simple mistake.”

According to its website, The Shiatsu Clinic & School is Iowa City's “premier natural health center since 1986.” It provides a “state-accredited training program” and offers a basic Eastern and Western massage program leading to licensure and a post-graduate program in Focused Touch Shiatsu, according to the website.

The website includes information on Iowa's continuing education laws, including details on professional licensing requirements.

Luth, according to the site, has a background in sports and was trained in vocal performance and education at the University of Iowa. He is a frequent lecturer and teacher on natural health in the United States, Venezuela and Romania, according to the center website.