the American Massage Therapy Association, Nevada Chapter

To AMTA Members:

AMTA celebrates the release today of the first massage therapy body of knowledge (MTBOK) as a milestone for the profession. AMTA is proud of its pivotal role as convener of the stakeholders in the profession to unite in a process that created the MTBOK and its involvement as one of the stewards for the body of knowledge. The association appreciates the broad involvement of massage therapists, educators and massage therapy organizations who participated in the process to create this document.

The MTBOK is intended to inform and guide the profession in the areas of massage therapy practice, accreditation, research, certification, education and licensure. Please keep in mind that the release of the MTBOK does not require changes to your massage practice or affect any current massage therapy regulations. Because it is an evolving document, AMTA encourages you to read the MTBOK at www.mtbok.org and comment via email at mtbok_comments@mtbok.org .

Save the Date! On June 23, there will be a special webinar discussion of the MTBOK, hosted by AMTA and ABMP. Be sure to check the AMTA website and the MTBOK website for more information about how to participate in this online discussion.

You can read the press release issued today by the Massage Therapy Body of Knowledge Task Force and watch AMTA President Kathleen Miller-Read’s reaction to this milestone on AMTA’s website. Watch video from the conference on AMTA’s YouTube channel.

AMTA President Judy Stahl awards the National President's Award to Sally S. Hacking at Thursday's Opening Session & Awards Presentation. Sept 24th, 2009

Over the course of the 2008-2009 year, the AMTA Nevada Chapter has been recognized in the faces of several of its Volunteers.

National President’s Award – 2009

Sally Hacking, Government Relations Representative and long time friend to the Nevada Chapter, was honored with the National President’s Award at the 2009 AMTA National Convention Awards Presentation on September 24th.  Each year, the AMTA President presents a special President’s Award to openly honor someone who has contributed to the massage profession in an outstanding manner.  Here’s what Judy Stahl had to say about the award given to the National President’s choice of “MVP” this year:

“The recipient of the 2009 President’s Award, Sally S. Hacking, is one of the most accomplished individuals I ever hope to meet.  Her accomplishments are legendary in the world of government relations at the Chapter level for the AMTA, having played an important – even critical – role in the passage of legislation for 17 AMTA chapters.

She is a native of Great Britain.  Her gifts were honed through her early training as a nurse midwife and a Master’s level nurse in Glasgow, Scotland.  She came to the United States in her 20s to work in cardiac intensive care in Texas, and on her way here, met the love of her life, a gentleman who sets the standard for me as far as what a man can be.  She became a United States citizen and an elected state legislator in Maryland for ten years.

She is a survivor of both kidney and breast cancer.  She was my greatest support, besides my family, when I went through my challenge with breast cancer five years ago.  She was an aerobics instructor for many years and to this day sets the standard for healthy lifestyle, eating right, exercising, and living joyously.

She is a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, friend, business consultant, advocate, comedienne, and all around beautiful human being.  She is one of the very quickest, brightest, most intelligent human beings I have ever met.  And along with all of her accomplishments, she has demonstrated a level of humility and lack of ego, an ability to stay in the background while others receive the credit and the glory, that is hard to fully grasp considering the world in which she works.  Finally, if you look in the dictionary under the word “fun,” you will see Sally’s picture!

It is my greatest pleasure to grant the AMTA 2009 President’s Award to a woman who continues to dedicate herself to advocating on behalf of the massage therapy profession, my dear friend and mentor, Sally S. Hacking.”

Chapter Meritorius – 2009, Nevada: Shari Mirgon

The Purpose of the Chapter Meritorius Award is to openly honor an AMTA member, acknowledging their diligent volunteerism done in an altruistic manner.  2009’s Nevada Chapter recipient is Shari Mirgon, Immediate Past President.  Here’s what her Nominator has to say about Shari’s level of excellence:

“Shari has shown great dedication and timeless energy to not only the Nevada chapter, but also has an integral understanding of national offices.  Her leadership skills and assistance to the present board in acting as an IPP when no position existed is just one example.  Due to our lack of a secretary, she filled in this capacity as well even while maintaining her own business.  When half our board retired and an inexperienced member moved into the position of president (me), it was Shari who was available always for support, but also knew who to call at national for direction.

Due to our board situation, it was Shari who went back to revise our bylaws to create a position of IPP to support the president and direction and vision of a new incoming president.  We created a commission on candidacy as well to support a strong and committed individual.  It is this board’s position that Shari has been the glue to strengthen our Nevada board making it possible to serve our members keeping our vision and national’s vision of treating our members as golden.  Bricks or blocks are good, but without mortar, there is no strength.  Shari has been that strength for us.  Shari exemplifies the highest ideals of the AMTA.”

“Give Chapters a Hand” Award of Excellence – 2009, Nevada Chapter: 3 hands

For a medium chapter size, Nevada has done very well…”above average” to be exact… in adhering to chapter requirements of the National AMTA directives for chapters.  Many criteria were considered and points were awarded for things like timeliness, quality of deliverables, reporting as a service, and providing valuable member services and programs.  Achieving an above average level of performance in Nevada draws attention to the fine processes and positive results of what is an example set for other chapters around the United States.

You may read more at the National AMTA website’s resource page, describing the AMTA Give Chapters A Hands Award.

Massage is Used More Than Ever for Medical/Health Reasons
Americans discussing merits of massage with physicians

Evanston, IL – October 26, 2009 –Results from the 13th annual consumer survey conducted by the American Massage Therapy Association® (AMTA®) indicate that 32 percent of Americans are seeking massage for medical and health reasons, tying relaxation and stress reduction for the first time as the top reasons people get massages.  Click here for more information on AMTA’s 2009 consumer survey.

Additionally, 25 percent of Americans ages 35-44 have talked to their doctor or healthcare provider about massage therapy this year, compared to 14 percent in 2008. Of those who discussed massage therapy with their doctors, 52 percent say their doctor strongly recommended/encouraged them to get a massage. These survey results are announced in conjunction with National Massage Therapy Awareness Week®, October 25-31.

A vast majority of Americans, 86 percent, agree that massage can be effective in reducing pain, and 85 percent agree that massage can be beneficial for health and wellness.

“Even with the ongoing economic crisis, people are not willing to compromise their health,” says Judy Stahl, AMTA president. “It’s a clear signal of massage’s value when those making less than $35,000 a year are the second most active income bracket getting massage therapy.”

Stressed Americans Still Seeking Massage for Relaxation

For the second year in a row, the survey results showed that massage therapy use is fairly steady, despite the lagging economy. Thirty-two percent of stressed out Americans are getting massages to relieve their stress and 57 percent of Americans say they feel more stressed this year than last year, particularly among females (61 percent) and those ages 18-24 (66 percent).

“Consumers understand that massage therapy is essential to a healthy balance between stress and relaxation,” said Stahl. “We are pleased to see that consumers are prioritizing massage to help them through these difficult times.”
About AMTA

The American Massage Therapy Association® (AMTA®) is a professional association of approximately 58,000 members. AMTA professional members have demonstrated a level of skill and knowledge through education and/or testing and must meet continuing education requirements to retain membership. AMTA provides information about massage therapy to the public and works to improve the professional climate for massage therapists. The association also helps consumers and healthcare professionals locate qualified massage therapists nationwide, through AMTA’s Find a Massage Therapist® free national locator service available at www.findamassagetherapist.org or toll-free at 888-843-2682 [888-THE-AMTA].

This new member promotion has been discontinued – Check the site for more opportunities to increase the value of your membership with the AMTA

Join AMTA at the Reduced Membership Rate of $199* and get a FREE MassageMinder

Don’t miss out on this chance to receive the best benefits in the profession and an outstanding organizing tool for your practice!

• The broadest liability insurance protection in the profession—no deductibles, no premiums to pay
• Member-only discounts up to 30% off on products, services and events
• Free advertising for your practice on AMTA’s national locator service—reach over 600,000 consumers each year
• Continuing education credits through convenient online classes and much more

Join online by December 31st and enter promo code FALL09 or call us toll-free at 877-905-2700 and mention AMTA’s Fall Offer.

The weather is getting cooler (believe it or not!) and we have another edition of the Silver State Massage Express for you! In this edition:

• Summary of the 2009 Annual General Meeting on June 1st, with a list of the passed Standing Rules
• Register for this Fall’s AMTA-NV Chapter Education Event in Reno with Peter Shankland
• Some information about the Nevada State Board of Massage Therapists
• Aston Patterning® learning opportunity in Hawaii
• and more!

Visit the Chapter online at AMTA-NV.org to read the Current Edition of the SSME!

The American Massage Therapy Association released today, in an email to its members and the press, a statement applauding the decision of Craigslist to remove its ‘erotic’ services posting section from the Illinois state listings and it is assumed all other states similar or same sections will be removed. Ongoing and recent events surrounding the questionable practices of Craigslist have prompted the AMTA to work with Craigslist to remove posts and advertisement for massage services that were not appropriately listed and advertised, and today’s announcement illustrates the result of their cooperation.

Following is a copy of the email received by AMTA members:

For many years AMTA has sought means to clean up massage listings on Craigslist and protect both the public and massage therapists who advertise legitimately on the service. Previous direct efforts with the company have had little effect. Meanwhile, AMTA has continued to cooperate with law enforcement officials in their efforts to control ads on Craigslist. Yesterday, it was announced that Craigslist will drop its ‘erotic services’ section in the state of Illinois and this appears to indicate an overall change by the company in other states.
AMTA has issued the following press release expressing its view of the decision and calls for Craigslist and others to respect the massage therapy profession and protect the professionalism and safety of massage therapists. AMTA President, Judy Stahl has already been interviewed by news media and we are convinced that our view will receive media attention.
AMTA encourages members to look at listings in the ‘therapeutic’ section of Craigslist in their area for ads that use the word massage and promote something other than legitimate massage therapy. You can flag such ads as inappropriate. Several flags of an ad usually result in the ad being removed.
Your association will continue its efforts, and its contacts with law enforcement officials, to restrict massage therapy advertising to legitimate massage therapists and protect the safety of practitioners.
For Immediate Release
May 13, 2009
AMTA Applauds Craigslist Decision
Calls for Protection of Massage Therapists
Evanston, IL – The American Massage Therapy Association® (AMTA®) views the decision by Craigslist to remove its ‘erotic services’ section as an opportunity to clarify for the public that prostitutes who claim to provide massage are not massage therapists. “The public and massage therapists have a right to know that advertising for massage should only be the right of massage therapists,” says Judy Stahl, AMTA President. “We hope this decision will ensure that massage is only advertised on Craigslist through its ‘therapeutic’ section and that any new ‘adult’ section will not allow posters to use terms related to massage therapy.” Most states regulate the massage therapy profession and restrict use of the term ‘massage’ in business and advertising to legally practicing massage therapists.
The recent publicity surrounding the murder of a call girl who called herself a masseuse on Craigslist has confused many people. Massage therapists have had clients and patients question their professionalism and raise concerns about them advertising their massage practices through Craigslist.
Unfortunately, prostitutes frequently claim to offer massage and use the term ‘masseuse’ to appear as legitimate therapists. While most massage practitioners prefer the term massage therapist, some still use the older term, rooted in European health traditions, of ‘masseuse’.
AMTA believes these terms related to massage should only be used by those with a legal and professional right to do so. The non-profit professional association wants the public to feel confident that anyone who claims to provide massage is a trained professional who practices legally. “We call on Craigslist, the media and other online services to respect massage therapists and to protect the public from misrepresentations of massage. And, we continue our support for the efforts of the state attorneys general to protect the public from inappropriate advertising,” says Stahl.
The American Massage Therapy Association is a nonprofit professional association of more than 58,000 members founded in 1943. AMTA professional members have demonstrated a level of skill and knowledge through education and/or testing and must meet continuing education requirements to retain membership. AMTA provides information about massage therapy to the public and works to improve the professional climate for massage therapists. It advocates fair and consistent licensing of massage therapists in all states.
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