Choosing a massage therapist can be challenging. Knowing their professional affiliation can be of great help in making your choice. There are a number of professional organizations that promote high standards for massage therapy. Find out if your therapist is involved in any of the following organizations.
All of the following organizations provide some level of professional insurance, a directory of members, a newsletter for members and have a code of ethics and/or standards of practice.
The American Massage Therapy Association, (AMTA) founded in 1943,"represents more than 56,000 massage therapists. AMTA works to establish massage therapy as integral to the maintenance of good health and complementary to other therapeutic processes; to advance the profession through ethics and standards, continuing education, professional publications, legislative efforts, public education, and fostering the development of members." Members must have 500 hours of massage training, (or equivalent) to join and complete 48 clock hours of continuing education every 4 years. (Source: AMTA)
Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals is one of the largest massage associations in the United States. There are over 61,000 members total. Established in 1987, the ABMP is a membership organization of professional massage therapists, bodyworkers, physical therapists and nurses. ABMP's "Certified" members must have 500 hours of massage education from an approved program (or equivalent) to join and 16 hours of continuing education every two years. ABMP offers a "Professional" membership that also requires 500 hours and the same amount of CE hours. (Source: ABMP)
Both the AMTA and ABMP allow massage therapists to become eligible by getting a passing score on one of several National Certification Examinations.
The International Massage Association (IMA) originated in 1994 in Washington DC. Today over 70,000 people have joined the IMA Group, Inc. "Therapist" memberships "require 500 hours of training by either a school or apprenticeship. Sixteen CE hours from IMA approved vendors are required to be completed every two years after joining." A much lesser "Practicing" membership only requires 100 hours of training by either a school or apprenticeship and 16 CE hours. "Their mission is to get massage in every home in America." They continually teach their members how to build their practices successfully and keep costs low." (Source: IMA)
-Barry Krost
For further Information:
http://www.abmp.com
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