The Massage, Bodywork and Somatic Therapy Examining Committee, part of the New Jersey Board of Nursing, certifies massage, bodywork and somatic therapists. The Committee consists of six members who are appointed by the Governor.

1. The purpose of the Massage, Bodywork and Somatic Therapy Examining Committee is:
2. What are my rights as a consumer if I have a complaint against a massage, bodywork or somatic therapist?
3. How are complaints resolved?
4. What happens next?
5. What is massage, bodywork and somatic therapy?
6. What are some of the techniques used?
7. Do I need a prescription to see a massage therapist?
8. What are the benefits of therapeutic massage/bodywork?

1. The purpose of the Massage, Bodywork and Somatic Therapy Examining Committee is:
   • to protect the health, safety and welfare of the people of New Jersey;
   • to regulate the practice of massage, bodywork and somatic therapy; and
   • to ensure that these therapies are performed in compliance with State law.
   
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2. What are my rights as a consumer if I have a complaint against a massage, bodywork or somatic therapist?
   If you feel a massage, bodywork or somatic therapist is violating State regulations, you may file a complaint against that individual. You may obtain a complaint form by writing to the:
   

   Massage, Bodywork and Somatic Therapy Committee
   c/o The New Jersey Board of Nursing
   P.O. Box 45010
   Newark, NJ 07101

   or calling the Committee at: (973) 504-6430, or by going to http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/medical/nursing.htm#massage on the Web.
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3. How are complaints resolved?
   • If the complaint is within the Committee’s jurisdiction:
   • the complaint may be referred to an investigator who may contact you for additional information;
   • the individual will be asked to respond to your concerns; and
   • the Committee will evaluate the complaint and the response and then determine if the complaint involves a violation of law.
   
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4. What happens next?
   • If a violation did occur, the Committee may revoke, suspend or fail to renew the individual’s certification. The Committee may impose monetary penalties or take other appropriate action.
   • During disciplinary proceedings, certified individuals may be represented by an attorney and will be given the right to demonstrate their compliance with the law. Once the Committee has taken action against the certificate holder, he or she has the right to appeal the action.
   • You will be notified of the outcome, in writing, when the complaint is resolved.
   
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5. What is massage, bodywork and somatic therapy?
   Massage is the application of soft-tissue manipulation techniques to the body, generally intended to reduce stress and fatigue while improving circulation.

   Bodywork involves various forms of touch therapies that may use manipulation, movement, and/or re-patterning to affect structural changes to the body.

   Somatic means "of the body." Many times the term is used to refer to a body/mind or whole-body approach instead of a physiology-only perspective.

   There are more than 200 variations of massage, bodywork and somatic therapies and many practitioners utilize multiple techniques.
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6. What are some of the techniques used?
   Some of the techniques utilized may include, but are not be limited to: stroking, kneading, tapping, compression, vibration, rocking, friction and pressure to the muscular structure or soft tissues of the human body. The use of oils, lotions and powders may also be used to reduce friction on the skin.
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7. Do I need a prescription to see a massage therapist?
   No. While your doctor may recommend massage, a prescription is not required.
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8. What are the benefits of therapeutic massage/bodywork?
   Therapeutic massage and bodywork can improve circulation, help to loosen contracted muscles and stimulate weakened muscles. They also aid relaxation, help to reduce stress, improve flexibility and relieve pain from injuries and muscle spasm.
   Massage, bodywork and somatic therapy practices are designed to affect the energetic system of the body for the purpose of promoting and maintaining the health and well-being of the client. They do not include the diagnosis or treatment of illness, disease, impairment or disability.
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