Are Nail Technicians Massage Therapist?
Your sitting in your local nail salon about to have a little "me time", when you glance over and see a hand written sign posted:
CHAIR MASSAGE 10 min. $10.00
20 min. $20.00
BACK MASSAGE 30 min. $30.00
REFLEXOLOGY $1.00 per min.
Your about to have your eyebrows waxed, your nails done, "Why not", you think to yourself, "One stop shopping and besides my neck and shoulders are killing me!"
Let me ask you this question, would you go to a massage therapist for a manicure and pedicure? Obviously the answer would be, NO, not unless you know they were trained to do one. The idea that we do not bother to question the owner or the technician about their background in this case, is always amazing to me.
Nail technicians are not trained in the Profession of Massage Therapy. Yet many sit on that massage chair every week, allowing someone that is unlicensed to practice massage therapy, to touch their body. Granted the salons knowingly conduct the farce everyday, and sometimes unbeknowest to the customer.
Nail technicians are not trained in the Profession of Massage Therapy. Yet many sit on that massage chair every week, allowing someone that is unlicensed to practice massage therapy, to touch their body. Granted the salons knowingly conduct the farce everyday, and sometimes unbeknowest to the customer.
What's the big deal?
It is ILLEGAL.
New York State requires therapist applying for licensure to complete 1,000 hours of classroom eduction and hands on training. 1,000 hours, and in addition sit a state examination. It is now also required for massage therapist to complete mandatory continuing education work to maintain their license. Additionally, many places that hire therapist require Professionals have CPR certification and carry their own liability insurance.
Course work covered in any accredited massage school program covers the following course work:
Anatomy and Physiology
Biology
Kinesology
Ethics
Infection Control Procedure
Pathology
Neurology
Myology
First Aid and CPR
Draping procedure
and massage techniques such as
Shiatsu
Chair Massage
Prenatal Massage
Sports Massage
Classic Swedish
Neuromuscular massage (not all programs)
Medical massage
Draping procedure
and massage techniques such as
Shiatsu
Chair Massage
Prenatal Massage
Sports Massage
Classic Swedish
Neuromuscular massage (not all programs)
Medical massage
You can Read more by following the link to the office of Professional Services of the NYS Education department.
OK then, want about the hand and foot massage I get during my manicure and pedicure?
OK then, want about the hand and foot massage I get during my manicure and pedicure?
Within the scope of practice, a light lotion massage is part of a manicure or pedicure service, as the state would classify for beautification, this also applies to barbers. But would you go to your local barber and get a massage? I don't think so. This does not qualify them to do chair massage, back massage or Swedish massage.
How do you know if in fact your local nail salon has indeed hired a licensed therapist?
Just as your local nail salon post their business license, and license as a nail technician at the front of the store, licensed massage therapist are required to display their certificate which shows both their license number and certificate number the same way.
You place your well being at risk any time you opt for one of these chair massages and it is ILLEGAL.
TRUE STORY:
I had a recent case where a new client came in and shared that on occasion she opted for a chair massage at a well known local nail salon. "Everyone there is always nice." she said. She was so knotted up from working on her computer day in and day out her shoulders seemed like bricks she said.
The harder the massage the better, right? Well, during her ten minute massage, the young nail tech doing the massage, kept running the bony part of her elbow very close to and sometimes on top of her spine. It seemed, ok, she thought at the time, but did not stop the girl thinking she knew what she was doing and she was already in alot of discomfort. So this had to be good for her. So she believed.
The client said the next two or three days after the chair massage at the salon, she felt worse than when she went in. It was horrible.
A trained therapist would know how to execute the right pressure and utilize the right technique in order to bring about the desired results. If there were to be any discomfort after the session, because there had to be friction massage applied for instance, the client would be told that and how to address it.
The harder the massage the better, right? Well, during her ten minute massage, the young nail tech doing the massage, kept running the bony part of her elbow very close to and sometimes on top of her spine. It seemed, ok, she thought at the time, but did not stop the girl thinking she knew what she was doing and she was already in alot of discomfort. So this had to be good for her. So she believed.
The client said the next two or three days after the chair massage at the salon, she felt worse than when she went in. It was horrible.
A trained therapist would know how to execute the right pressure and utilize the right technique in order to bring about the desired results. If there were to be any discomfort after the session, because there had to be friction massage applied for instance, the client would be told that and how to address it.
It is simple, buyer... BEWARE. If you take time to read how many calories are on a package before you consume it; It should stand to reason you take a moment to check this little detail out for yourself too.
Frances Dunston, LMT
lic# 27 021443
Frances Dunston, LMT
lic# 27 021443
