NJ License Suspension For Massage Therapist In Bergen County

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — A Bergen County massage therapist agreed to have her license temporarily suspended and is permanently barred from owning a massage business, said New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin Wednesday.

Ana C. Velazco, a licensed massage and bodywork therapist, has been suspended from practice for five years because she performed invasive and post-operative treatments that only licensed medical professionals can perform in New Jersey, said Platkin's office.

Velazco owned and operated Fabsilhouette, also known as the Medical Massage Network, in Fair Lawn.

She offered and performed services "that exceeded the scope of her massage and bodywork therapist license and constituted the practice of medicine without a license," said the attorney general's office.

For instance, her practice conducted post-operative suture removal and fluid drainage on clients who had recently undergone cosmetic surgery, the AG said.

In addition, she performed Mesolipo, which is a microinjection technique used to administer a cocktail of substances and chemicals into the subcutaneous tissue to dissolve fat, according to the attorney general.

Shealso performed microneedling, which involves pricking the skin with tiny needles in order to promote the production of collagen and elastin.

"Velazco is not a licensed physician and denied having any medical training," said a release.

To resolve the allegations against her, Velazco entered into a Final Consent Order filed with both the Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy and the State Board of Medical Examiners on May 30.

The order suspends Velazco’s massage and bodywork therapy license for a period of five years effective immediately and directs her to cease and desist rendering any services that constitute the unlicensed practice of medicine, said the state.

She is also permanently barred from owning, operating, or managing a massage therapy business, and permanently barred from practicing as a solo massage and bodywork therapist.

If Velazco’s license to practice massage and bodywork therapy is reinstated following the suspension, she may only practice under the supervision of another massage and bodywork therapist whose license is active and in good standing.

Velazco was also assessed a $15,000 civil penalty by the Board of Medical Examiners for practicing medicine without a license.

“Our professional licensing laws require individuals who offer certain types of services to meet fundamental training and education requirements to deter unqualified practice and prevent serious harm,” said Attorney General Platkin. “Professionals who put the public at risk by performing services that exceed the scope of their licenses, especially those involving invasive medical procedures, will face serious consequences.”

The allegations against Velazco stem from an investigation launched by the Division’s Enforcement Bureau in March 2023. During an inspection of Fabsilhoutte’s examination rooms, investigators found and photographed equipment used to perform medical services, including topical anesthetics, syringes and needle tips, as well as hazardous medical waste, said the state.

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