Purpose

The goal is to advance the field of massage therapy and to promote and establish it as a viable therapy integral to good health. The AMTA works to set standards for care and ethical practice, support member therapists, to educate the public about massage therapy and its benefits, and to support legislative efforts in favor of massage therapy.

Who Can Join

Membership to AMTA is open to professionals and students pursuing a career in massage therapy. There is a fee to join and maintain membership; the fee is dependent on the level of membership chosen. Membership is offered at different levels for both students and practicing professionals, and each level of membership requires different qualifications.

What The AMTA Offers Clients And Consumers

Although the AMTA is an association which exists largely for the benefit of its members, the function of the organization is also to promote the art and science of massage therapy, and so the American Massage Therapy Association offers services to massage therapy clients and consumers as well.

The AMTA offers opportunities for the consumers and clients to advertise in their journal and on their website, but what it s most interested in doing for consumers is to educate them and assist in obtaining professional massage therapy services. This is done by

o Offering advertising and job posting services to consumers looking to reach massage therapists

o Offering a “National Locator Service” which can be used to locate a local therapist

o Promoting public education initiatives

o Offering informational resources for consumers

What The AMTA Offers Massage Therapy Professionals

The Association offers a number of different services to its members; access to services is dependent on the level of membership, and some services are available to non-members for a fee.

Professional services offered to therapists by the AMTA include

* Access to member’s section
* Informational resources
* Job search/listing services
* Inclusion in locator directory
* Continuing education opportunities
* Advertising opportunities
* Materials and resources for clients/public education
* Code of Ethics and core documents
* Industry demographics
* Professional support
* Access to insurance (liability, health, disability, optional insurances)
* Regulatory information and updates
* Professional publications
* Political/legislative voice

The American Massage Therapy Association, a member of the Federation of Therapeutic Massage, Bodywork, and Somatic Practice Organizations, represents over 56,000 massage therapy professionals. The AMTA is a valuable resource for both clients and therapists alike.

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In massage therapy, a therapist conducts motion and muscle tests and proposes treatment plans such as soft tissue manipulation, hydrotherapy, remedial exercise programs and client self-help programs. Most therapists also provide courses of treatment for medical conditions and injuries, and may work with other healthcare professionals as part of a team to promote health and overall wellness.

Most massage therapy has developed from a number of sources and there are an estimated 150 types of massage therapy that one can try. Some of the popular massage therapies are breema, chair massage, Chinese Tui Na massage, deep muscle therapy, deep tissue massage, foot or sole massage, traditional Hawaiian massage, myofascial release, neuromuscular therapy, scalp massage, stone massage, Thai massage, and Swedish massage, among others. Most therapy massages can be performed with pressure ranging from superficial to deep; however, an ideal therapeutic massage can be identified when a receiver experiences some discomfort, activating the body’s natural healing response. Although most therapeutic massage leaves some soreness, it is recommended to check with your therapist if the soreness lasts more than two or three days.

Massage therapy is an organized business and most countries have specific organizations that provide information regarding the therapy. In the US, the American Massage Therapy Association is the largest non-profit professional organization of massage therapists in the country. One can also undertake a test to be a professional massage therapist, conducted by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.

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Massage therapists can benefit from learning different specialized massage techniques to better serve their clients who may range from geriatric patients to baby boomers and infants. To much of the general public, the thought of massage therapy involves a pampering treatment designed to relax them. People are just beginning to realize some of the healing powers of massage as it is now being used more often in medicine.

As with any other profession, it is important to keep abreast of any new massage therapy training schools techniques and other information within your field. Just as doctors and other medical professionals receive constant updates regarding medical standards and discoveries, the professional massage therapist should also make certain that he or she has the most up to date information in their field.

Many massage therapists are now working with A shiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy which was developed by Ruthie Hardee in 1995. This technique treats the feet for pain and combines Swedish massage as well as deep tissue massage. The difference in this new technique from ordinary A shiatsu Oriental Therapy for the feet is that the therapist uses overhead bars for better balance during the massage therapy.

Other massage therapists are working with color therapy that is based upon using light as treatments. With color therapy, the massage therapist uses different colors to treat different parts of the body as each color works in a unique way and reacts differently to light.

Infant massage therapy has been used for years in hospitals and is now becoming more acceptable to the general public not only as a way of treating colic but to allow the baby to relax and go to sleep. Many parents can benefit from learning these techniques from a certified massage therapist.

Perhaps some people may benefit from the Rosen method of massage. This technique uses very light touching instead of deep massage and communication to help clients relax and release their stress. The Rosen technique has been practiced for years but many massage therapists are unaware of this effective therapy.

More massage therapists are now combining ancient Chinese treatments and practices along with their massage therapy techniques. Aromatherapy is now being used by many therapists as a way not only to relax their clients but to actually treat minor ailments.

Just as it is for any profession, it is important for a professional massage therapist to keep up with new techniques or technology that may enhance their performance. There are new products being produced to help massage therapists treat clients and these products are often demonstrated at trade shows or shown in trade publications.

Massage therapy is a very rewarding career for individuals who like to help people and have good communication skills. As it is being used more often as an alternative medicine, it is very important for a professional massage therapist to attend seminars and trade shows, keep up with the latest news in the field and learn any new techniques in massage therapy. The need for massage therapists has doubled in the past decade and is expected to grow as more of the general public are beginning to realize the value of this ancient way of healing ones body and mind.

Robert C. Vignoli has been a massage therapist for over 10 years. He currently co-owns Roman Paradigm Massage, but now he is helping to improve the massage industry by building a “hands off” massage business model. MassageSpace.net is the new MySpace for Massage Therapist, learn more @ http://www.think-diagonal.com

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If you’ve ever been to a massage therapist, you already know the benefits of massage therapy. You know that massage therapy improves circulation and oxygenation, plus helps remove harmful toxins form the body. Tired overworked muscles can cause you pain, low energy levels, and increase stress. Massage therapy can help to relieve all the problems caused by tired knotted muscles.

Only in recent years has massage therapy been accepted for the true health benefits it can provide. Scientific studies have proven that massage therapy relives tense muscles, removes toxins, and helps to restore natural function to a suffering body. Many health professionals now recommend massage therapy to their patients.

If you’re like most people with busy schedules, it’s just not possible to visit a massage therapist as often as you need. Now you don’t have to go to a professional to get the beneficial results a massage can deliver. Convenient massage therapy is available for your home.

Just visit a specialty retail store and you’ll find massage chairs with the scientific technological design to give you a total body massage specific to your body’s needs. The Real Pro Elite Massage Chair gives you a total body massage. Customized to suit your specific needs. With 12 different massage settings and sensors to detect the stress points on your body you won’t find a massage chair that offers more therapeutic benefits.

For great neck and back relief, try a Shiatsu Massage Pillow. The shiatsu nodes rotate deeply to provide you with relief and relaxation from stiff aching muscles. Great relief after long hours in front of the computer. A wonderful addition to convenient massage therapy tools.

After a long day on your feet try the AquaJet Foot Massage with rotating hydro jets, controlled heat, and nodes to massage your soles, your feet will be rejuvenated in just minutes.

Your entire body can receive benefits from convenient massage therapy. Home massage therapy is convenient, effective, and affordable. If you’ve never experienced the benefits of a professional massage, you should definitely consider trying one of the many convenient home massage therapy tools.

After just a few short sessions with home massage tools, you’ll wonder how you ever did without it. You’ll feel relaxed, rejuvenated, and stress free. Massage therapy provides you with physical and mental relief. Give your body the comfort and improved health you deserve today.

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Here are some of the benefits of massage therapy:

The massage therapy is one of the oldest types of therapies used to soothe and rejuvenate the human body. It is also said that it has the ability to cure some of the serious ailments. Massage therapy can be defined as an amazing tool for calming and relaxing the body. However, it does more than just to provide a soothing experience or pleasant sensation on the skin.

One of the major benefits of the massage therapy is that it works on the soft tissues of the body including ligaments, muscles and tendons. The therapy is also known to enhance to the muscle tone. The practice also alleviates blood pressure, blood circulation, heart rate and enhances the lymph flow. One of the basic benefits that can be availed via the massage therapy is that it aids the lymphatic system. Experts in this field also believe that massage is capable of eliminating the waste and harmful toxins from the body.

There are several other benefits of massage therapy including the following:

a) Increases the natural painkillers of the body; endorphins.

b) Enhances the sense of wellbeing.

c) Improves breathing and soothes the body.

d) Enhances relaxation.

e) Heals the mind and body.

f) Alleviate stiffness, pain and tension.

One of the major benefits of massage therapy is the elimination of stress and pain in the body. With the kind of lifestyle we lead these days, it is very common to feel extreme stress and pain. Stress has many adverse effects on the body. It can result in to lowered immunity and also develop certain types of physical and mental illness.

Muscle tension is one of the most common problems faced by people due to stress. This results in sore neck, headaches and backache. Depression, anxiety and problems related to digestion, asthma and period pain are also other symptoms of stress.

A massage therapy can minimize these problems. With regular treatment and courses from a professional massage therapist, one can easily cope up with these problems and even eliminate them from life. It is said that a massage therapy has a great effect on the mind. It helps in enhancing the blood and hormones circulation of the body. Particularly, the therapy enhances the circulation of the “feel good” hormones in your body and affects the way you think.

A good massage therapy can also reduce cramps via reducing the involuntary contraction of muscles. It enhances the efficiency of the digestive system and reduces abdominal pain caused by digestive problems. The therapy has the potential to reduce sinus pain via enhancing the drainage of fluid from the face, thereby minimizing the pressure build up.

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