AMTA – Advancing the Massage Therapy Profession in 2017

Partnerships, Education and Advancing the Massage Therapy Profession

In 2017, the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) continued to make significant progress in advancing the art, science and practice of massage therapy. As the non-profit organization representing the profession, the association’s efforts included building partnerships to advance massage therapy education and standards; expanding relations with a variety of health care associations to build respect for the profession; and engaging state and federal government agencies and organizations to increase opportunities for integration of massage therapy into health care.

AMTA continued to promote the efficacy of massage therapy to consumers and stepped up to help build the future of the profession by providing free Student memberships to all students in AMTA member massage therapy schools and provided free continuing education courses to all massage therapists. And, we held the largest national convention in AMTA history for the second year in a row!

Here are some of AMTA’s efforts in 2017 to advance the massage therapy profession:

American Medical Association

AMTA maintained its representation to the American Medical Association’s (AMA’s) Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Health Care Professional’s Advisory Committee. AMTA’s representatives provided input into decisions related to CPT code use by massage therapists. This is of direct benefit to massage therapists who seek insurance reimbursement.

Learn more about insurance reimbursement for massage therapists »

American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and Academy of Integrative Pain Management (AIPM)

AMTA was an active participant in the AAFP national conference, providing information on research supporting the value and effectiveness of massage therapy, and educating physicians on how to find AMTA members for referrals. And, AMTA President Dolly Wallace provided an article for the AAFP magazine, The Pain Practitioner, about the benefits of massage therapy for those with arthritis.

AMTA was also an active participant in the AIPM national conference and set up further direct collaboration for 2018.

Massage Therapy Instead of Opioids

AMTA expanded its previous work with the Office of the Attorney General of West Virginia to promote massage therapy as an alternative to opioids for pain by contacting 36 other attorneys general to reinforce their statement that massage therapy should be part of plans by health insurance companies to choose alternatives to opioids for pain. The association also submitted recommendations to the Food & Drug Administration and the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality for inclusion of massage therapy in guidelines for pain relief.

AMTA’s approach to massage therapy as an alternative to opioids »

AMTA Protects Use of Triggerpoint

In March, AMTA became aware of a pending application to register the generic term TRIGGERPOINT with the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO). The application was filed for massage rollers, DVDs and books in the field of “fitness.” AMTA has continued its active opposition to the filing and will continue to do so to protect everyone in the massage therapy industry from this potential restriction of a generic term. AMTA is the only national association in the profession that is defending the right of therapists, teachers and others to continue to use the term “trigger point” freely and without restriction.

AMTA Speaks Out on What to Expect from a Massage

In November, AMTA issued a national press release reminding the public of what they should always expect from their massage and massage therapist. More than 200 news organizations, including 100+ local TV stations, picked up the story which included a video statement from AMTA President Dolly Wallace.

Read and share what to expect in a massage session »

Massage Therapy Foundation

AMTA continued to be the primary benefactor of the Massage Therapy Foundation with financial support exceeding $475,000. The association directly supported the MTF’s fundraising and awareness-building efforts for the profession, including support for Boston Marathon runners and AMTA members Collette Wilson, Christine Bailor-Goodlander, Vincent Dufort and Jodi Newman.

Team Roger C Peace Research & Paralympic Medalist

AMTA continued its co-sponsorship of Team Roger C. Peace (one of the premier para-cycling teams in the U.S.) and funded the gathering of data on the impact of massage therapy on the conditioning and performance of these professional athletes as follow-up on their 2016 U.S. Paralympic Team. AMTA’s name and logo continues to be prominently displayed by the athletes as they compete and massage therapy is closely associated with their training and conditioning in this first of a kind study.

Largest AMTA National Convention Ever!

For the second year in a row, the AMTA 2017 National Convention was the largest and most successful convention in AMTA history. Opening Session keynote speaker Shaun T, a world renowned fitness expert, energized AMTA 2017 National Convention attendees with his message of self-care. Closing Session speaker Shawn Achor, a top TED speaker and a former Harvard professor, shared research on the correlation between happiness and success. Using humor and his scientific approach to emotional self-care, massage therapists learned actionable techniques to increase happiness in their personal and professional lives.

Photos & video from the AMTA 2017 National Convention »

Free Membership for Massage Therapy Students

AMTA continued to support the future of the profession by extending free Student membership to all students in AMTA member schools. The board recognizes that it is a challenge for massage school students to pay the costs of their education and look forward to their careers. Students can use AMTA resources, including the ability to connect with Professional members at chapter meetings, to increase their knowledge of the realities of the profession. And, the association continued to offer scholarships to students, now more than $200,000 since the program began.

Helping Members Affected by Hurricanes

Understanding the challenges when a large number of members are affected by a natural disaster, AMTA provided dues relief to members affected by Hurricanes in 2017.


“AMTA continues to be the only massage therapy organization to collaborate with so many different partners to advance our profession and to actively engage national news media about the value of massage therapy,” says AMTA President Dolly Wallace. “And, AMTA is the only massage therapy organization to step up to protect the legal rights of massage therapists to use the term Trigger Point and to engage federal governmental agencies to include massage therapy as a recommended alternative to opioids. As we begin the celebration of AMTA’s 75th anniversary, these relationships and our support for the future of massage therapy help show how AMTA serves our members and moves our profession forward.”

The American Massage Therapy Association, the most trusted name in massage therapy, is the largest nonprofit, professional association for massage therapists in North America. It is directed by volunteer leadership and fosters ongoing, direct member-involvement through its 51 chapters. AMTA works to advance the profession through ethics and standards, the promotion of fair and consistent licensing of massage therapists in all states, and public education on the benefits of massage.


AMTA Member Benefits You Will Love

View all Member Discounts

Save 40% on Continuing Education

“A”-Rated Broad Liability Insurance