American Massage Therapy Association^®

Massage Therapists Aid Emergency Workers in Virginia and New York

Evanston, IL – The American Massage Therapy Association and its members are actively participating in work with various relief agencies involved in rescue and recovery efforts as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11. AMTA’s Massage Emergency Response Team (MERT) committee trains AMTA Professional members at the state level to work with emergency agencies and workers at disaster sites.

The AMTA Virginia Chapter MERT was called into action on Tuesday evening by Virginia Emergency Medical Services. The first team of four AMTA members has been working onsite in the parking lot of the Pentagon since 4:00 a.m. Wednesday. A second team of four joined them at 10:30 p.m. that night. They are expected to remain onsite at least until Sunday night, September 16. Trained, team members traveled to Arlington, Virginia from throughout the state.

AMTA national MERT coordinators are currently working with the AMTA New York Chapter to train massage therapists and form a MERT in the state, so it may assist agencies in New York City to provide relief to stressed and muscle-weary emergency workers.

The American Massage Therapy Association is the oldest and largest association representing massage therapy. With more than 46,000 members in more than 30 countries, it has a Code of Ethics, Standards of Practice, and an active law and legislation program.  The association promotes the development and advancement of the art, science and practice of massage therapy in a caring, professional and ethical manner.  AMTA also offers a free Find A Massage TherapistSM national locator service to help consumers find qualified massage therapists throughout the U.S.  The service is available via the internet at www.amtamassage.org and toll-free at telephone number 888-843-2682 (888-THE-AMTA).

###

Back to News Room