Queenslanders may not be reporting sexual assaults involving massage therapists, state health ombudsman Leon Atkinson-MacEwen says.

He said he had issued seven immediate prohibition orders against massage therapists since taking on his role two years ago.

Mr Atkinson-MacEwen said while the figure was small, it accounted for a disproportionate number of the total 27 orders he issued against unregistered practitioners across the board.

"When you get a cluster of seven out of 27 in a reasonably short period of time, it's pretty clear that it's an appropriate time to just make sure the public are aware of issues around seeking massage services," he said.

He said it was worth considering only visiting practitioners people were already aware of or those who had been recommended by others.

"Certainly they should feel comfortable in receiving the service and the moment they feel uncomfortable is the moment they should say stop, that's it, leave and certainly if anything untoward has happened they should go and speak to the police."

Mr Atkinson-MacEwen said in most cases police alerted him to those therapists who had been charged with serious sexual assault.

'If it doesn't feel right, call it quits'

But he said the number of people working in the industry, the lack of industry regulation and the nature of the profession raised concerns that inappropriate behaviour was going unreported.

He said anyone seeking treatment should be aware of their personal safety and discuss their expectations with the therapist before having a massage.

He said it could sometimes be difficult to know if boundaries had been violated, but all therapists should follow basic rules like ensuring clients were appropriately draped if they were removing their clothes.

"The minute it doesn't feel right is the minute you call it quits and you leave," he said.

"Sexual assault is sexual assault. It doesn't matter, in a sense, whether it's inappropriate touching through to penetration. It's all serious. Everyone has the right to have a health service provided to them in a safe manner.

"Boundary violations can happen with men as well as women, so it is about first and foremost understanding and communicating what you're expecting, what you're not expecting and certainly once you start feeling uncomfortable that's it, call it off."

Leon Atkinson-MacEwen said inappropriate behaviour could be going unreported. ( ABC News )

He said if people felt they had been sexually assaulted they should go to police in the first instance. If it wasn't sexual assault but they were still uncomfortable with a therapist's behaviour, they should report the matter to him.

The Australian Association of Massage Therapists (AAMT) agreed there were rogue therapists operating and many of them were not appropriately qualified.

AAMT chief executive Tricia Hughes said it was really important consumers were aware they were buying a health service when going for a massage.

She said all therapists should conduct a health assessment prior to treatment, and be up front about their training and operating hours.

Ms Hughes said a new national code of conduct was in operation in most states, but it relied upon people to first make a complaint.

She urged anyone with concerns about their treatment to contact police, the ombudsman and the AAMT, which keeps a register of trained therapists.