http://www.amtamassage.org/news_editors.html Current News Releases http://www.amtamassage.org/news/022310release.html The American Massage Therapy Association® (AMTA®) Schools Summit February 18-19 in St. Pete Beach, Florida brought together more than 100 massage therapy school owners, administrators, educators and exhibitors to examine the challenges facing massage therapy schools and massage therapists. The Summit also featured 4 general sessions, 9 education classes and a wide variety of formal and informal discussion groups on massage therapy education. http://www.amtamassage.org/news/MTIndustryFactSheet2010.html The following is a compilation of data gathered from U.S. government statistics, surveys of consumers and massage therapists and recent clinical studies on the efficacy of massage. These data provide an overview of the current state of the massage therapy profession, public and medical acceptance of the value of massage and increasing consumer usage of massage therapy. http://www.amtamassage.org/news/TopStoriesofDecade.html Evanston, IL – The close of a decade is a good opportunity to look back at accomplishments. The American Massage Therapy Association® (AMTA®) and the massage therapy profession have a lot to look back on since 2000. http://www.amtamassage.org/news/ResponsetoEarthquakeinHaiti0114.html January 14, 2010 – Evanston, IL – The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) extends its heartfelt sympathies to the people of Haiti and to their families and friends in North America. http://www.amtamassage.org/news/TopAMTANews09.html 2009 has been a very successful calendar year for the American Massage Therapy Association® (AMTA®) as it works to fulfill its mission by serving its members and advancing the massage therapy profession. http://www.amtamassage.org/news/schoolssummit09.html The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) will hold its annual meeting for massage therapy schools and educators February 18-19, 2010. The AMTA Massage Therapy Schools Summit to be held at the TradeWinds Hotel, in St. Pete Beach, Florida is titled, “Exploring Tomorrow’s Curriculum Today”. http://www.amtamassage.org/news/09NMTAWPressRelease.html The American Massage Therapy Association® (AMTA®) is proud to announce significant media and public attention to massage therapy through its National Massage Therapy Awareness Week® (NMTAW) October 25-31. During the week, AMTA media relations efforts put massage therapy and AMTA members in front of consumers more than 100 million times. This included a posting about the week and the NMTAW logo on one of the large electronic signs in the heart of Times Square in New York City. The same image and information also were posted on the large Fashion Show Mall sign in Las Vegas, NV. http://www.amtamassage.org/news/102309NMTAW.html Results from the 13th annual consumer survey conducted by the American Massage Therapy Association® (AMTA®) indicate that 32 percent of Americans are seeking massage for medical and health reasons, tying relaxation and stress reduction for the first time as the top reasons people get massages. http://www.amtamassage.org/news/2009-NC-PressRelease.html The largest annual convention ever of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) in Orlando, Florida September 23-26 featured significant decisions by member representatives, a special Student Day, a record financial contribution supporting massage therapy research and meetings for input into the Massage Therapy Body of Knowledge Initiative. Keynote speaker Tony Burroughs, co-founder of the Intenders of the Highest Good, explained how to set a direction for intentions daily to bring a greater level of success into a massage therapist’s practice and life. http://www.amtamassage.org/news/2009-NCBTMB-Survey.html AMTA wants to encourage all massage therapy stakeholders to provide input into the following survey on advanced certification.. http://www.amtamassage.org/news/090309release.html The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), the nation’s top massage therapy non-profit association dedicated to advancing the art, science and practice of massage therapy, announces the re-launch of its popular online Massage Information Center (MIC). AMTA’s improved MIC features a new layout and design, streamlined navigation and updated content and resources. http://www.amtamassage.org/news/081409release.html For the second year in a row, the American Massage Therapy Association® (AMTA®) will take part in the American Heart Association’s 5.3K Metro Chicago Start! Heart Walk in the Chicago area, September 25-October 3, 2009. AMTA massage therapists from Illinois will be onsite, providing 10 minute massages to Walk participants. http://www.amtamassage.org/news/081009release.html From October 25 to 31, 2009, the American Massage Therapy Association® (AMTA®) will celebrate the massage therapy profession during National Massage Therapy Awareness Week®, now in its 13th year. This week is designed to raise public awareness of the benefits of therapeutic massage and encourage Americans to seek massage therapy for stress relief, pain management and general health. http://www.amtamassage.org/news/072409release.html The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) announces its multi-faceted social networking program to serve massage therapists, students, teachers and consumers through the latest technology. The association now has a presence on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube to bring the most current association updates and news to its members and others in the profession. http://www.amtamassage.org/news/071309release.html The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) is working with Energizer to help walkers at Breast Cancer 3-Day® events across the country laugh, learn and relax as they take steps toward finding a cure for breast cancer. AMTA will be the official provider of massage therapists at the Energizer Live it Up! Lounge, where member volunteers will be providing walkers with 10-minute chair massages on both Friday and Saturday nights at events in 15 cities. The Breast Cancer 3-Day® is a project of the National Philanthropic Trust, which benefits Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. http://www.amtamassage.org/news/071009release.html The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) is focused on its mission of serving its members, the future of the profession and the ability of massage therapists to be successful. There are many elements needed to support and advance a profession, including national certification. AMTA is disappointed that the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) has announced plans to create an organization to sell insurance. http://www.amtamassage.org/news/mtbok070709.html The Massage Therapy Body of Knowledge (MTBOK) Stewards are pleased to announce the volunteer MTBOK Task Force member selections have been made. Every attempt has been made to select a dynamic group of individuals who together represent what may be considered the broadly defined field of massage therapy. http://www.amtamassage.org/news/051309craigslist.html The American Massage Therapy Association® (AMTA®) views the decision by Craigslist to remove its ‘erotic services’ section as an opportunity to clarify for the public that prostitutes who claim to provide massage are not massage therapists. “The public and massage therapists have a right to know that advertising for massage should only be the right of massage therapists,” says Judy Stahl, AMTA President. “We hope this decision will ensure that massage is only advertised on Craigslist through its ‘therapeutic’ section and that any new ‘adult’ section will not allow posters to use terms related to massage therapy.” Most states regulate the massage therapy profession and restrict use of the term ‘massage’ in business and advertising to legally practicing massage therapists http://www.amtamassage.org/news/050709montana.html On May 5, 2009 Governor Brian Schweitzer signed House Bill 662 making Montana the 43rd state to regulate the massage therapy profession. The law creates a 5-member State Board of Massage Therapy that will oversee the practice of massage therapy. As of July 1, 2010 a person will be required to have a license to practice massage therapy or use any titles implying massage therapy. http://www.amtamassage.org/news/043009release.html The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) is proud to announce that its member magazine MTJ (Massage Therapy Journal) has been recognized for excellence by the Society of National Association Publications (SNAP). The publication has been honored with two EXCEL Awards, which recognize the best and the brightest in nonprofit association media and publishing. http://www.amtamassage.org/news/031709BOK.html The Massage Therapy Body of Knowledge (MTBOK) Stewards will be accepting applications for the volunteer positions on the MTBOK Task Force beginning March 17th. There are eight positions available. Deadline for submissions is May 1st. http://www.amtamassage.org/news/MTIndustryFactSheet.html The recently released fact sheet is a compilation of data gathered from U.S. government statistics, surveys of consumers and massage therapists and recent clinical studies on the efficacy of massage. http://www.amtamassage.org/news/020609BOK.html The Massage Therapy Body of Knowledge (MTBOK) Project Stewards recently met in San Antonio, Texas to establish next steps in the MTBOK development process. The Stewards are pleased to announce the establishment of a structure to articulate the foundational elements common to a MTBOK shared by all stakeholders in the profession. http://www.amtamassage.org/news/012609release.html For many years, the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) has supported an envisioned future of portability of massage practice, fair and consistent licensing in all states, and uniform standards for the profession. http://www.amtamassage.org/news/011209Michigan.html On January 9, 2009 Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm signed House Bill 5651 to make her state the 42nd to regulate the massage therapy profession. The new law will now be referred to as Public Act 471 of 2008.