Lean Forward

I have worked in and for the massage and bodywork field for a few weeks short of seventeen years. Like many of you who’ve spent that same time span in the field, I’ve seen many changes. Back in 1994 I joined an upstart counter-organization named ABMP. This newcomer association ruffled some feathers in the field with its arrival and occasional actions of self-defense. How our role has changed over the years! (Although I admit that, on occasion, we may still ruffle a few feathers.) I am writing this while on a plane back from the Alliance for Massage Therapy Education (AFMTE, or “The Alliance”) annual conference in Charleston, South Carolina. The AFMTE has an ambitious agenda, and has made impressive progress in its 2-year history. Its latest effort is a proposed establishment of “National Teacher Standards” for the massage therapy profession. Raising the bar for the quality of instruction in our field is a worthy goal, one that we at ABMP have embraced heartily over the past 5 years, led by our fantastic Director of Education Anne Williams. The Alliance’s next steps in this area could be valuable building blocks in the profession. The Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) has embarked upon a new continuing education approval regime; this effort could bring some important clarity regarding the sometimes-silly rules surrounding continuing education requirements. A coordinated effort with the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) could provide much-needed value for professionals and CE providers. As you may have heard, leaders of 7 organizations (ABMP, the Alliance, the FSMTB, and the NCBTMB included) are meeting next month in St. Louis to discuss issues facing the field. This gathering may lead to further collaboration among the organizations. And it follows our work together developing the first Massage Therapy Body of Knowledge. Yes, in my 17 years, I’ve seen many phases in the field, and many periods of discord. I like today’s vibe. We still compete, but in many ways we’re all in a better place than ever.
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News

Nevada Introduces Massage Compact Bill

The Nevada legislature introduced Senate Bill 270, the Massage Compact, in March 2023. If you believe an interstate license would benefit massage therapists, write a letter to your representatives.

Blog

Eight Reasons Why I Love Being a Massage Therapist

Love Being a Massage Therapist

Taking inspiration from a recent ABMP Facebook thread on the subject, freelance writer and LMT Cindy Williams put together a list of her top eight things she loves about being a massage therapist.

Benefits

Podcast: Humbitious: Low-ego, high-drive Leadership

In this episode of The ABMP Podcast, Kristin and Darren are joined by professor and author Dr. Amer Kaissi to discuss how humility and ambition converge to make a great leader, the interesting dynamic between self-awareness and humility, and behaviors we can all learn to develop humble leadership within ourselves.

Featured ABMP Discount Partner: Milady

Raise awareness of domestic abuse, human trafficking, and practical infection control through Milady’s “Client Well-Being & Safety,” a free training available to ABMP members.

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