May 12 is National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day

Fibromyalgia—a musculoskeletal syndrome characterized by widespread pain, tender points, incapacitating fatigue, anxiety, depression, migraines/chronic headaches, fibro fog (inability to concentrate/focus) and myriad other seemingly disconnected symptoms—affects more than 12 million Americans.

On May 12th of each year, National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day events extend throughout the world and through the month of May in an effort to raise awareness and funds to help further support those with fibromyalgia and/or other chronic pain illnesses. Click here to find a Fibromyalgia Awareness Day event near you.

This year’s theme is “Your Voice Matters.” From the National Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Association website, “Your voice is the key to making changes for those with fibromyalgia and chronic pain conditions. By using your voice you can help the NFMCPA transform lives through visionary support, advocacy, research and education of fibromyalgia and chronic pain illnesses.”

For more information on Fibromyalgia, visit the National Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain Association website here and read Dr. Jerrilyn Cambron’s article in the March/April 2015 issue of Massage & Bodywork, “Massage Therapy Eases Fibromyalgia.”

News

Tennessee Increases Minimum Education Hours

On April 16, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed into law House Bill 1610 and Senate Bill 1588, increasing the minimum massage curriculum hours that an applicant for massage licensure must complete at an approved school for massage, bodywork, or somatic therapy to be eligible for licensure under the Massage Licensure Act. Find out the new state minimum requirement.

Alaska Massage Board Remains Independent and Autonomous

Executive Order No. 129 sought to dissolve the Alaska Board of Massage Therapists and transfer its functions to the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (DCCED). The executive order was successfully overturned.

Gainful Employment Rules Compliance Updates

Over the past two weeks, the US Department of Education issued updates to the new “Gainful Employment” (GE) regulations for vocational programs published last fall. This web post addresses the updates to prepare school owners and educators ahead of the July 1, 2024, new GE rule effective date.

Blog

Avoid Pulling Clients' Hair

Massage therapy students practicing in a classroom.

It’s the finer details that matter in a massage therapy session, and unintentional hair pulling is a detail that carries more weight than you might think.

Benefits

Podcast: Cancer, Clots, and COVID—A Complicated Client

A client was recently treated for colon cancer—and it didn’t go well. She had surgical complications, a bout of sepsis, and more. Is massage therapy safe? We discuss on this episode of “I Have a Client Who . . .” Pathology Conversations with Ruth Werner.

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