The Benefits of Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is much more than a luxury. It offers a wide array of health benefits, backed by research, that support a balanced lifestyle:

• Stress Relief: Regular massage helps lower cortisol levels, a stress hormone, while increasing serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters that boost mood.
• Pain Management: Massage therapy is often recommended for those suffering from chronic pain, including conditions like arthritis, migraines, and back pain. It helps improve blood flow, reduce muscle tension, and promote relaxation in stiff or sore areas.
• Improved Flexibility: Massage can increase circulation and improve flexibility by loosening tight muscles, making it easier to maintain good posture and prevent injury.
• Better Sleep: By relaxing the body and mind, massage promotes deeper, more restful sleep, especially for those struggling with insomnia or anxiety.
• Mental Clarity and Relaxation: Massage therapy supports overall mental health, reducing feelings of anxiety and depression by promoting a sense of calm and well-being.

Ways to Make Massage a Part of Your Life

Incorporating massage into your routine doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are a few ways to make massage therapy part of your daily life:

1. Book a Professional Massage - The simplest way to enjoy the benefits of massage is by scheduling regular sessions with a licensed massage therapist. National Massage Therapy Week is the perfect time to find local deals or explore new types of massage, from Swedish to deep tissue, to see what works best for you.
2. Learn Self-Massage Techniques - Self-massage is a wonderful way to care for yourself between professional appointments. Techniques such as gently massaging your neck, shoulders, or feet can relieve tension at home or work. You can even use tools like foam rollers or massage balls for deeper pressure on tight muscles.
3. Give the Gift of Massage - Massage makes an excellent gift for friends and loved ones, offering them the chance to experience relaxation and health benefits firsthand. Many massage therapists and spas offer gift certificates, making it easy to share the benefits of massage therapy during special occasions or holidays.
4. Spread the Benefits of Massage Therapy - Use National Massage Therapy Week as an opportunity to educate others about the benefits of massage. Share your experiences on social media, attend a local wellness event, or host a workshop that introduces people to the therapeutic value of massage. You can also advocate for massage therapy as a holistic approach to health care in your community.

Well, aren’t we the luckiest profession out there? Yes, we are! We are truly amazing in that here in Texas we have 159 new members for the months of August and September. This now brings our total to over 5500 AMTA members in the Texas! I am so happy and elated that this number keeps growing so much based on all of you and the community spirit that we have grown in the past 2 years. Great job everyone! Remember that AMTA has a “Refer-A-Friend” reward system. If a therapist joins AMTA and mentions you by name on the online form, you will receive an Amazon gift card. The benefits of AMTA just keep growing!

In August, I was fortunate enough to join the other Board Members and Chair Members at the National Convention in Tampa Florida. It was a week-long working vacation with my AMTA Texas family that I enjoyed very much. The first few days were training for various board and chair members. These were long days but packed with good information that will be shared with all of you as the year progresses. On Wednesday was the Assembly of Delegates meeting. It was great to see Michaelle Fisher and Amy Scottino engaging in lively conversations regarding the proposals that you will read about in their upcoming articles. Thursday through Saturday was the actual convention itself. It was a great time had by all with lots of education, vendor hall and its goodies and most of for me it was community and camaraderie. I met new faces and reconnected to old ones. I was able to bring all the exciting and successful things that are happening here in Texas and share them with other chapters. I had a great time just being with our own Board and Chair Members too. We meet monthly via Zoom but it is really nice to spend time together. Best of all, and some of you know this but the 2025 AMTA National Convention will be in Dallas!! I can’t wait to have all of the Texas Chapter members up here at convention! We are planning a Texas Chapter gathering for all members so we can Meet & Greet and have a blast! Keep your eyes out for more information as we get closer to August 2025.

As most of you heard of the IMpact multistate licensing agreement. This will enable licensed massage therapists to practice in the states that join that compact rather than get a license in every state in which they want to practice. This was originally formed to help out the military spouses as they traveled for service. The idea was liked by some and is in the process of being accepted in all 50 states and Washington D.C. This idea is not supported by AMTA National nor will AMTA use resources to fight it. This Impact is completely voluntary and not at all required. The State of Texas will not join in the compact. We are just keeping you up to date with what is going on around the world of Massage.

Speaking of keeping you in the loop – You are invited to a Medicare Advantage (MA) 101 Webinar for Massage Therapists. As part of our government relations policy series, AMTA invites you to a valuable educational webinar designed to deepen your understanding of Medicare Advantage (MA) and its growing role with the broader Medicare system.

Event: Medicare Advantage (MA) 101 Webinar

When: Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Time: 4-00pm- - 5:00pm CST

This Webinar aims to provide massage therapists with crucial insights into how to navigate and engage with Medicare plans effectively. All is encouraged to attend – all massage therapists. AMTA members or non-members. Please share this information and plan to watch this informational webinar. Check your email accounts. An email was sent out about this on October 1st.

Hang tight but information will be released very soon regarding our 2025 State Convention. It will be in Corpus Christi! Location and dates are soon to follow. Keep an eye for those important dates. As the fall time is here remember to keep up with your regions, your AMTA friends and of course family. Enjoy these times that makes us who we are and the very special therapists that we tend to be!

Yours in service,

Brenda Padilla

Texas Chapter President

We are Growing!

Community is working! We are coming together in cooperation instead of competition; connecting with resources and education; and building a great network!

Michelle Burns

Education Chair

In addition to the phenomenal continuing education classes offered at the state convention each year, we're also providing 1-day, 2-day, and 3-day CE classes in regions. We have held a number of classes across Texas including:

• Facilitated Stretching with Bob McAtee in Dallas/Ft Worth
• Manual Therapy to Eliminate Multiple Nerve Compressions with James Waslaski in Heart of Texas/Austin
• Acupressure I with Terry Norman in San Antonio and Corpus Christ
• A Cancer’s Journey with Amy Scottino & Christina Hughes in Houston.

More classes have been scheduled, including:

• Intro to Integrative Lymphatic Therapy with Jessica Johnson In El Paso
• Gua Sha for Scar with Amy Scottino & Christina Hughes in Killeen
• Integrated Soft Tissue Scraping with Niki Peterson in Dallas
• Myofascial Release with Ruth Bucher in Corpus Christi/San Antonio
• Trigger Point Therapy with Indira Rubio in Austin.

After the holidays, we will also be offering Taping with Indira Rubio in Ft Worth.

We are very excited to have Indira, who is fluent in Spanish, so we can support the therapists in the community who speak English as a second language!

We now have 13 local regions holding monthly get togethers (Meet & Greets) which may include therapist exchanges, short discussions of techniques, what is happening in the legislature, or fun picnics to meet families. Each region helps determine what they want to see and do for their region. We now have regions in:

1. Edge of Texas (El Paso/Van Horn/Big Bend);
2. Fort Worth (Ft. Worth/Arlington/Grapevine/Granbury);
3. Heart of Texas (Waco/Temple/Belton/Killeen);
4. Austin (Round Rock/Austin/Buda/Bastrop/Dripping Springs);
5. Coastal Bend (Corpus Christi/Port Aransas/Alice);
6. North/West Houston (Tomball/Katy/Houston);
7. South/East Houston (Houston/Friendswood/Galveston);
8. San Antonio (San Antonio, Seguin, New Braunfels),
9. Brazos Valley (Bryan/College Station/LaGrange/Smithville/Victoria);
10. Dallas (Dallas/Plano/McKinney/Waxahachie);
11. Northeast Texas (Tyler/Texarkana/Nacogdoches/Palestine);
12. Big Country (Abilene/Brownwood/San Angelo);
13. Panhandle (Amarillo/Lubbock).

Two additional regions will be holding meetings before the end of the year: Permian Basin (Midland/Odessa) and Rio Grande Valley (Brownsville/McAllen/South Padre Island).

If you would like to help bring the community together in your area and work as a team with the other coordinators, please reach out to the Education chair at educationchair.amtatexas@gmail.com. We currently have 62 people making these programs happen as regional coordinators. We would love for you to join our teams and help AMTA work for you. And, please, thank a coordinator near you for bringing these programs to your area.

All regional events can be found on the calendar at: AMTA WEBSITE and on each region’s Facebook group. Emails are sent out to each region before their event. If you will be outside your region and want to connect with other therapists, check the calendar to see if there is an event. You are always welcome to attend events in other regions. It is a great way to get to know other Texas therapists and build a great referral network. 

Curious what happens at events? Photos of events can be found on a region's Facebook group page and on the Texas Chapter website in the galleries. These monthly meetings are always free and food is provided. These meetings are open to all massage therapists and students–you don’t have to be a member of AMTA to attend. We love it when you invite colleagues and friends to attend.

Michelle

what my role would be. As we entered the room, we each received name badges indicating our assigned tables where we would be sitting for each discussion. Each table seated around 10 people, with one person designated as the note taker and another as the moderator to guide the conversation if needed. I was beyond thrilled. After a lively introduction, it was time to begin! The moment had arrived, and I could hardly wait to dive into the first topic.


Proposed Position Statement:

Massage therapists could benefit from a position statement on the effects of massage therapy on abdominopelvic pain.

Summary of Feedback from Tables:

1. Current Research and Professionalism:

There is a strong desire across the tables for more current and comprehensive research on the effects of massage therapy on abdominopelvic pain. This includes understanding how it affects all genders, not just females, and incorporating studies on special populations such as the elderly and infants. Expanding the research base would help increase credibility, professionalism, and the potential for referrals from other medical professionals. It could also promote awareness among both clients and healthcare teams.

2. Gender Inclusivity and Sensitivity:

Many delegates highlighted the need to broaden the scope beyond female populations. This should include research on how abdominopelvic massage affects males, individuals who have undergone gender-affirming surgeries, and other special populations. Clarifying modalities and better defining anatomical regions were seen as important steps for ensuring sensitive and appropriate care.

3. Educational and Clinical Considerations: 

Several tables emphasized the importance of improving education around abdominopelvic pain for both clients and healthcare providers. This could lead to better integration with medical teams and eventually be incorporated into massage school curriculums. Some also suggested that massage therapy could be seen as part of a care team, potentially gaining insurance coverage in the future.

4. Contraindications and Boundaries: 

It was suggested that this position statement include clear contraindications, ethical considerations, and well-defined boundaries to prevent encroaching on the work of other medical professionals. Additionally, ensuring that massage therapists are aware of when to refer clients to other specialists was seen as a crucial part of the position statement.

5. Nervous System and Modality Clarification:

There were requests for more information on the relationship between abdominopelvic massage and the nervous system, as well as the consequences of deeper work in this sensitive region. Clarifying the modalities that are appropriate for this area and separating the abdomen from the pelvic region were also discussed to enhance professionalism and client safety.

6. Insurance and Legal Considerations:

Some delegates expressed interest in knowing whether AMTA insurance would cover massage therapists performing this work. They also raised the potential for this position statement to influence state and local laws, particularly in terms of defining professional boundaries and legal coverage.

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Outcome:

This position statement passed with a majority vote. AMTA will begin the process of collecting a subject matter expert (SME) panel to develop the statement further, with a focus on expanding research, refining guidelines, and addressing the concerns raised in these discussions.

Discussion Topic:

How would having unified definitions for modalities such as Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, sports massage, and clinical massage shape the massage therapy profession?

Summary of Feedback from Tables:

1. Modality vs. Technique Clarification:

There was a general consensus on the need to clearly distinguish between "modality" and "technique" in unified definitions. Many tables felt that modality refers to the broader type of massage, while techniques are the specific methods used within those modalities. Clearer definitions could enhance professionalism, support regulations across states, and potentially reduce liability.

2. Concerns Over Strict Definitions:

Several tables expressed concerns that creating rigid definitions could limit flexibility for massage therapists (MTs). For example, it’s unclear whether deep tissue is a technique or a modality. There’s also a concern that overly specific definitions could cause confusion or even "corner" MTs, potentially creating inconsistencies or conflicts across different states and organizations.

3. Professional Unification and Credibility:

Unified definitions were seen as a step towards unifying the profession and improving communication among MTs, clients, and other healthcare professionals. Standardized definitions could help fortify the credibility of the profession, both with clients and regulatory bodies, and clarify the services being offered.

4. Potential for Confusion and Legal Concerns: 

Some participants raised concerns about confusion that might arise between organizations like ABMP, AMTA, and NCBTMB, which may already have their own definitions. Without national standardization in massage education and licensing, these efforts might not have the desired effect. Legal problems, including copyright issues, were also raised, particularly if definitions become too restrictive.

5. Impact on Insurance and Training:

Clear and precise definitions could potentially improve insurance billing processes, making it easier for MTs to bill for specific services. Additionally, standardized definitions could enhance training in massage schools, ensuring that students receive consistent education across states. However, some participants felt that until there is national standardization in education, unified definitions may not significantly improve the profession.

6. Global Considerations and Inclusivity:

There were also calls for ensuring that definitions are broad and inclusive enough to reflect the diverse needs of the profession. For example, it was mentioned that deep tissue work should be differentiated from deep or firm pressure. Additionally, participants questioned whether this initiative should be focused only on the U.S. or if it should have global implications.

Additional Feedback from the Floor:

- General Agreement on National Standardization: 

Several participants emphasized the need for national standardization in massage education and licensing, suggesting that without this foundation, unified definitions may not have the desired impact. Having a unified stance on massage therapy was seen as beneficial, but there were concerns about creating too many categories that might fragment the profession.

- Broad Definitions for Flexibility: 

Others advocated for broad definitions that don’t "pigeonhole" MTs into rigid categories. The goal should be to unify the profession without limiting the creativity or flexibility of individual practitioners.

Conclusion:

While there is overall support for the idea of unified definitions, many believe that clear distinctions between modality and technique are necessary. There are concerns that too rigid definitions could limit MTs' flexibility and create confusion among organizations. Standardizing massage education and licensing at a national level was seen as crucial to the success of this initiative.