American Massage Therapy Association^®

Donation to Massage Therapy Foundation, Approval of Three Position Statements, Record Number of Exhibitors Highlight AMTA Convention in Phoenix

Evanston, IL — The annual convention of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) in Phoenix, Arizona September 17-20 featured significant decisions by member representatives and a record financial contribution supporting massage therapy research.  Keynote speaker Judith Aston, creator of Aston-Patterning^®, was honored with AMTA’s Distinguished Service award and recognized as a forty-year member of the association.

AMTA presents symbolic check for $494,229 to Massage Therapy Foundation

At the opening business session of the convention, AMTA President M.K. Brennan presented Massage Therapy Foundation President Diana Thompson with a check for $494,229, representing AMTA’s financial support to the Massage Therapy Foundation for 2009 to help the foundation carry out its mission and support AMTA’s goal for evidence-informed massage practice.

“Every year AMTA has supported the Foundation through in-kind and monetary support for its day-to-day operations as our association foundation,” said Brennan.  “We are happy to promote your work and encourage others to contribute.”

Thompson presented information during the meeting on their fund-raising efforts, launch of their International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork and research grant recipients.  

AMTA House of Delegates approves three position statements for the association

Continuing a process begun in 2006, the AMTA House of Delegates debated proposals for association position statements that express the sense of the membership on matters pertaining to massage therapy.  This year, the delegates approved three position statements, which are now official positions of the association.

Details on the approved position statements will soon be available on the AMTA website and will become part of the association’s efforts to promote the value of massage therapy, supported by research. 

The approved statements are:

• It is the position of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) that newborns (especially pre-term infants) may benefit from massage therapy.

• It is the position of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) that massage has been shown to aid in postoperative pain relief.

• It is the position of The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) that massage therapy can be a valuable component of a wellness program.

In 2006, the AMTA House of Delegates approved the following: It is the position of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) that massage therapy can be effective for stress relief.

Proposals for AMTA position statements are developed and submitted by members according to specific guidelines and criteria.  Proposals that meet all criteria are presented to the House of Delegates at its meeting that occurs during the AMTA national convention.  Delegates are elected by their chapters to represent members in that state (and Washington, D.C.)

1200 participants, record number of exhibitors

A record 114 exhibitors participated in the largest massage therapy profession tradeshow in the U.S.  The 1200 convention attendees were able to meet with a wide variety of companies who offered information, products and services for massage therapists. 

Keynote speaker Judith Aston, was presented with AMTA’s Distinguished Service award by President M.K. Brennan.  Brennan mentioned, “…all your contributions to our profession and your 40 years as a devoted AMTA member”, as key reasons for the award.

Trish Dryden, Director of the Applied Research Centre at Centennial College in Toronto was given the AMTA President’s award for ‘contributing to the massage therapy profession in an outstanding manner’.  Unable to attend the meeting, Dryden sent a brief video thanking the association and encouraging massage therapists to move their profession forward.

AMTA members convene for their convention each fall for educational workshops, information about current research on the efficacy of massage, association business meetings and a tradeshow.  The 2009 AMTA national convention will be held in Orlando, Florida September 23-26.

The American Massage Therapy Association is the largest non-profit, professional association for massage therapists with more than 58,000 massage therapist members.  The association is directed by volunteer leadership and fosters ongoing, direct member-involvement through its 51 chapters.  AMTA works to advance the profession through ethics and standards, the promotion of fair and consistent licensing of massage therapists in all states, and public education on the benefits of massage.