Massage Therapy is a healthcare profession regulated by the New York State Office of Professions. Those who are licensed with a registration have passed a New York state board examination to be legally called a massage therapist. Only practitioners who hold a New York State license and a valid registration can practice massage therapy and are required to satisfy continuing education to renew their registration. Upon initial licensing, a practitioner can legally advertise the word "massage" and all its modalities and promote themselves under the title "massage therapist", the preferred title over "masseuse/masseur" in the state of New York. The state of New York does not recognize out-of-state licenses or certificates for an individual to practice massage therapy in New York State.
Masseuses or Massage therapists are licensed healthcare professionals who apply a variety of scientifically developed massage techniques to the soft tissue of the body to improve muscle tone and circulation. Massage therapy treatments can be based on Western or Eastern medicine. Because massage therapy is a regulated as a healthcare profession, licensed massage therapist can choose to accept insurance as payment for eligible treatments.
Massage therapists work to enhance well-being, reduce the physical and mental effects of stress and tension, prevent disease, and restore health.