Three patients of a popular Lancaster holistic health clinic filed a suit claiming Matthew Schaitel, one of the clinic’s massage therapists, sexually abused the women during visits to the clinic between 2020 and 2021.

The suit also names Natural Remedies Massage and its owner Hollie Aneshansley, claiming the clinic did not take necessary steps to ensure patient safety, hid patient complaints regarding Schaitel, and allowed him to continue to sexually abuse customers.

As stated in the 23-page complaint, Aneshansley was notified about Schaitel’s actions, but did not act upon patient claims that he engaged in sexually driven touching and manipulation during sessions with three women.

The suit also notes that Aneshansley failed to verify that Schaitel held the required licenses to provide massage therapy services. Had she done so, the complaint alleges, she would have found his licenses in Washington and Missouri had lapsed or were non-existent.

Aneshansley entered into an agreement with the Ohio Medical Board in 2019, in which she agreed to an indefinite suspension of her massage therapy license based on “habitual or excessive use or abuse of drugs, alcohol or other substances,” the suit states. In August 2019, her license was reinstated on probationary terms, but again suspended indefinitely for the same issues in October 2020.

The suit seeks relief for the clients’ significant physical and emotional distress and aims to hold Natural Remedies Massage, its owner, and Schaitel accountable for the sexual abuse.

The suit brings multiple claims against the defendants, including sexual battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent supervision and retention, vicarious liability, negligent business operations and negligent failure to provide adequate security.

Natural Remedies Massage is based in Lancaster, Ohio, and provides a range of massage and spa services including aromatic medicine, float tanks and holistic health coaching.