Appeal of Massage Research Continues to Grow!

Most folks who know me know that I am a huge proponent of massage research for our profession and also a huge fan of the Massage Therapy Foundation.  As a marketing and biz-minded therapist, I know intuitively that participating in and sharing info about the efficacy of massage is a building block of our success. (I know I also just had a girl crush on Diana Thompson (still do!) and then fell in love with Tim Herbert and Ruth Werner!) Our MA Chapter focused our entire 50^th Anniversary  3-day convention on research (which was NOT a popular theme at first!)  I volunteer for the Foundation in a couple of ways and also find myself talking about massage research and research literacy at every possible opportunity.  A groundswell is happening…I can just feel it! I am at AMTA National Convention in Minneapolis, and 2 very different examples of this emerged in the last day.  Yesterday, I was privileged to participate in the 2010 AMTA House of Delegates at our national convention.  At the HOD, we consider various Position Statements and Recommendations that are brought before our membership.  Supporting research must back each position statement.  As worthwhile statement after worthwhile statement failed to be adopted, I noticed that many of the the speakers were pointing to the issues concerning the research citations.  They really may not have understood the way the research was presented and how to really analyze the data (most of us don’t!)  I also saw a huge void/opportunity to add an education piece about research literacy for our future delegates.   Delegates were interested in the research, I think they just don’t have some of the tools to easily read and evaluate research at their disposal. I will be suggesting this to the HOD Operations Committee!   Then today, I popped into a session on Case Reports in Massage that was being presented by Michael Hamm.  Actually, I wanted to talk to him about a writing project for Massage Today, and figured I could grab him at a break.  The room was absolutely packed.  If I had wanted to grab a seat, I would not have been able to!  It was about 3:30 and the class started at 1:30.  They had not even taken a break and the energy in the room was electric!!  Therapists form all walks of life were in attendance and really want to know more and they want to get involved…I think they just don’t always know how.  A groundswell is happening…I can just feel it! Research about massage: what we do, how and why we do it and how we study it, is budding…growing all around us.  I know that more therapists are becoming more aware of how research can help their practice and their clients- and continue to have more answers about ‘what’s in it for me’?

Interested in learning more?  Please visit the Foundation website!  Also, please consider RISING to support our RISE campaign: How quickly can 20,000 fans of massage donate $20 to celebrate the Massage Therapy Foundation’s 20th anniversary? Contribute and post your support today! Mary White, President of the MA Chapter stated it beautifully,  “If you get massage therapy, provide massage therapy, know someone who has been helped by massage therapy or know someone who would be better off if they had massage therapy PLEASE join me in supporting this… important and wonderful campaign. $20 won’t change your life very much, but what is raised collectively can change the lives of millions! Do it now! Join the RISE Campaign by clicking here to make your gift. Then invite friends, clients, business associates, anyone who could be described as a “fan of massage” to join you. Thank You!!”

Another FAB share of the campaign was offered today by colleague Allissa Haines of Writing a Blue Streak-check out her offer to her clients today!

Tags: AMTA, business planning, continuing educatioin, marketing, massage research, massage therapists, massage therapy foundation, research literacy, success