When to Use Caution with Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is a licensed health care profession in New York, regulated by the New York State Education Department. 

At the Swedish Institute, students are well prepared for their licensing exam with a curriculum that includes anatomy, physiology, pathology, Swedish massage and other forms of Western massage, Shiatsu, assessment skills, clinical strategies and clinical internship. All of these skills will be utilized in the safe and effective practice of massage therapy.

An initial intake regarding the client's current health status should be part of the massage therapy session. An evaluation and assessment helps practitioners determine if and how to proceed, and whether they should continue with caution, or should refer the client to another licensed health care practitioner.

While generally a safe, non-invasive treatment, massage therapy must sometimes be used with caution. Among the conditions for which the NY State Education Department advises that massage be used with appropriate caution are when a client reports:

• a fever or contagious disease
• cancer
• medication that would weaken bone structure
• edema due to chronic heart failure or kidney failure
• decreased sensation, as for example, with diabetes
• an inflammatory condition in the acute stage
• acute phlebitis and/or deep venous thrombosis
• acute trauma, unstable fracture, open wound or recent surgery
• the first trimester of pregnancy

Licensed practitioners will be aware of these guidelines and are educated about what adaptations may be needed in a massage therapy session, if they need to consult with another professional, or if the client should be referred to the primary care physician.

For more information

Successful completion of the Massage Therapy Program at the Swedish Institute prepares graduates to take the NY State licensing examination, which they must pass in order to become licensed. For detailed information on the scope of practice of the licensed massage therapist go to www.op.nysed.gov/mtlic.htm.

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