Greetings New York Massage Therapists.. My name is Tai. (Full name is Tikisha Negron). I am a New York based massage therapist as well. Recently, I have discovered that there are illegitimate "trainings" that are being held here in New York, related to other individuals, who are not New York state massage therapists, teaching "incisional drainage", which is out of the scope of practice for New York state massage therapists. The "trainer" for this "post op" class, who does not live in New York, is now telling other individuals that we can practice "incisional drainage" as long as we work within the medical office of a plastic surgeon or doctor.
This is not true. I just spoke with the New York State Board of Massage Therapy. In addition, I have an email directly from the NYS Board of Massage Therapy reflecting that Incisional Drainage is not within the scope of practice for New York State Massage Therapists. For those that do not know what Incisional Drainage is, please see image attached. Recently, a Florida based massage therapist had her licensed revoked for practicing incisional drainage. Another Florida based massage therapist was also disciplined, fined by the Florida Health Dept and their Surgeon General almost $10,000 for administering incisional drainage, and her license was affected as well.
I would like to formally request, via email, for our NY Massage Therapy Board to add to the website of the NYS Education Dept - Office of Professions - Massage Therapy - a clear statement that Incisional Drainage is not within the scope of practice for NY Massage Therapists, even while working within the medical offices for a doctor. This way, the out of state massage therapists and estheticians that are now teaching these practices, (incisional drainage and seroma aspiration), within their "post op" classes, can then clearly see that this is not within our scope of practice on the website. I'm hoping to receive a co-sign from any additional New York Therapists to formally make this request for our NY Board of Massage Therapy to add this to the website. I am willing to create the email request.. Are any of you NY LMT's willing to allow me to add your name to this email so that we can formally email this request to the NYS Massage Therapy Board? I would also copy you on the email request.. Thank you in advance to any of you for your support.
Massage & mental health on the front cover, I knew it was going to be good read. I wanted to share some quotes from one of the articles, because it really confirmed that I made the best decision becoming a LMT...
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“Massage therapy is among the tools to help with stress because of its positive impact on both body and mind.”
“Stress is a temporary physical response, but we keep it alive by thinking. If you can get the body to stand down from its state of emergency, the mind often follows.”
“The reverse is also true. Anything you can do to disengage the thinking part of the brain for a little while can put the body into a state of relaxation.”
“As a massage therapist we can’t prescribe or diagnose, but we can have conversations about lifestyle to help people reduce external stressors."
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Before I decided to go to massage school, I did coursework for Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. It was something I became very passionate about after it has continued to help me with my own battles with trauma. Everything in this article rang “Mindfulness” to me. It shined light on the positive impact practicing mindfulness with the body relaxed has on us. It is why I started, and why I continue. I am so happy I am able to share this with my clients.
Thank You. 
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