AMTA 2008 National
Convention Education Session and Speaker
Information
Education Sessions
Friday, September 19, 8:00 am – 5:30 pm
Got Back? NMT Essentials for the Back
This course will cover the essentials that practitioners should consider when addressing back
pain. Included will be foundational principles of neuromuscular therapy, trigger point formation theories
and treatment, the anatomy of the region, treatment techniques, and conditions that warrant caution. This
course is a must for any serious practitioner! (Session continued on Saturday, September 20)
16 CE Hours.
Speaker: Judith DeLany
Judith DeLany, LMT, a leading pioneer in the field of NMT and a visionary for its future, has
refined and developed methods of teaching NMT American version™ in both continuing education and
school curriculum.
The Art of Non-Judgmental Touch
To truly support others we need to be present with them. The holistic system of Breema
recognizes this relationship in every hold, lean, brush, movement, and breath. Participants will
learn several Breema bodywork sequences and discover how Breema supports the practitioner’s
physical, mental, and emotional comfort, vitality, and well-being. Participants should wear
comfortable clothing and socks, and bring a mat. 8 CE Hours
Speaker: Job Schreiber
Jon Schreiber, D.C., Director of the Breema Center and Breema Clinic in Oakland, California
has been teaching Breema nationally and internationally since 1980. Recommended reading by
Jon Schreiber: Breema and the Nine Principles of Harmony and Freedom Is in This Moment
Class needs:
Mat
wear comfortable clothing and socks
Friday, September 19, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Assessing Progress: Introducing Measurement Tools Into Your
Practice
Each client session is an opportunity to conduct a study. It is difficult for practitioners to
quantify progress over time and share their successes on the client’s subjective reports alone. This
session will present a variety of measurement tools that will assist practitioners in evaluating the
progress realized during therapeutic sessions. Lecture and discussions will focus on considering
physiological outcome measurements, orthopedic/structural assessment changes, and the
subjective/qualitative reporting through the use of analog scales and surveys. 4 CE Hours.
Speaker: John Balletto
John Balletto is a massage therapist practicing in Providence, RI. He is the immediate past
president of the Massage Therapy Foundation.
Common Injuries of the Shoulder & Elbow
Common injuries workshops were designed by Dr. Ben Benjamin to help bodyworkers assess and
treat specific injuries that challenge and frustrate most therapists. In addition to covering all
the essential principles of pain and injury, the training provides instruction in anatomy,
assessment tests, treatment techniques, and client home exercises for two common complaints:
subscapularis tendon injuries and tennis elbow. 4 CE Hours.
Speaker: Ben Benjamin
Ben Benjamin,
Ph.D., founder of the Muscular Therapy Institute and author of four books and
many articles on orthopedic massage and communication, has been practicing for
over 40 years.
Class needs:
Sheets
Towels
Implications of Presence in Massage Therapy
This class will explore verbal and tactile support that bring clients into a direct
presencing relationship with their bodies, palpation refinement so that the practitioner can feel
the subtle effects of client somatic awareness, teaching clients to be interactive with the
practitioner through engagement of their own proprioception, bringing clients into verbal
confirmation of the changes that are happening, empowering clients by teaching them to practice
these same approaches on their own. This session will include exercises and an interactive
discussion of the implications for our profession. 4 CE Hours.
Speaker: Jack Blackburn
Jack Blackburn is a Trager® Practitioner, Spiritual Director and Reiki Master. Jack is a
writer, supervisor and teacher nationally and internationally for bodyworkers, counselors, and
business leaders.
Speaker: Cynthia Price
Cynthia’s clinical and research expertise is in bodywork
and body-oriented psychotherapy. In private practice for 17 years, she has a
Masters degree in Counseling/Psychology and a Ph.D. in Nursing Science. Her work
is focused on populations with somatic and psychological health concerns.
Class needs:
Pillow
Towels
Taxes & Recordkeeping for Self Employed
Learn how to save money by utilizing tax advantages and avoid those dreaded “Dear
Taxpayer” letters with the IRS as sender. Margo will cover recent tax changes which could impact
you and reminders of how to make your deductions stand up even in an IRS audit. 4 CE Hours.
Speaker: Margo Bowman
Margo Bowman has been a practicing accountant for over 50 years, specializing in Small
Business Taxation & Record Keeping. She is a Licensed Tax Consultant (LTC) and a Licensed
Massage Therapist (LMT) in OR, and has earned the Enrolled Agent (EA) designation, which allows her
to practice before the IRS on behalf of her clients.
Acupressure’s Potent Points
This course covers point location and massage therapy applications for relieving common
ailments from A to Z. Learn how to relieve headaches, anxiety, insomnia, ankle sprains, carpal
tunnel, wrist pain, toothache, backache, stiff neck, TMJ and more. Bring powerful, ancient
healing techniques into your practice. Obtain educational resources for going further in
Acupressure Therapy. 4 CE Hours.
Speaker: Michael Reed Gach
Michael Reed Gach, Ph.D., author of seven books, is the Acupressure Institute’s Founder
(Berkeley, CA). His empowering, hands-on charts, booklets, CDs, and DVDs for Massage Therapists
are available at www.TensionRelief.info.
Class needs:
Massage table
Future Healthcare Trends
Learn what is happening in the bigger world of health care and what opportunities and
challenges graduates will be facing. Instructors will understand why the profession will be
to accommodate consumer demands that deal with quality, cost effectiveness, and accessibility.
Help prepare your students for the future! 4 CE Hours. Teachers Track.
Speaker: W. Randy Snyder
Dr. Snyder works as a case manager for an insurance company. He has training in
chiropractic, massage therapy, guided imagery, and healthcare quality and management.
Friday, September 19, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Teaching the Modern Student
Today’s students are very different from those of the past and educators may have difficulty
reaching and relating to them – a challenge necessitating skilled instruction, a diverse curriculum,
and a multigenerational presentation style. This class updates “old style” teaching methods to
modern ones which engage, enlighten, and excite today’s student. 4 CE hours. Teachers Track.
Speaker: Christopher Alvarado
Christopher is a massage therapist and educator, NCBTMB approved providers, program
consultant, and former school education director and AMTA-IL Chapter President.
Speaker: Angela K. Palmier
Angela is a national presenter, consultant, school owner, massage therapist and active
volunteer in both the Massage Therapy Foundation and AMTA-IL Board Member.
Introduction to Stone Massage (Repeat)
This lecture/demo developed by Bruce Baltz, founder of SpiriPhysical®, Inc., will enlighten all
participants in the application of hot and cold stones massage and the necessary supplies. While
taking a few basic precautions the therapist can minimize strain on their body and ensure
their client’s safety.
Speaker: Bruce Baltz
See Thursday afternoon
Thai Shiatsu
Rooted in Acupressure, Zen and Shiatsu-style, this modality is a marriage of anatomical and
energetic bodywork. This workshop includes a discussion of the basic concepts of the 14 energy
channels (Meridians) of the body. You will learn a well-transitioned progression of floor stretching
techniques, emphasizing breath awareness and fluid body mechanics. 4 CE Hours.
Speaker: Randall A. Cummins, LMT, MTI, AOBTA Cert. Instructor, NCBTMB
Approved Provider
In his 23-year career, Randy has been on the teaching faculty of the Chicago School of Massage
Therapy, the Lauterstein-Conway School, provided trainings throughout the United States and the
Caribbean, as well as maintaining private practices in Chicago and Austin, TX. His expertise, humor
and wisdom will help you open to the possibilities of self and client.
Class needs:
Thai floor mat, or yoga/excercise mat or large towel
Acupressure’s Potent Points (Repeat)
This course covers point location and massage therapy applications for relieving common
ailments from A to Z. Learn how to relieve headaches, anxiety, insomnia, ankle sprains, carpal
tunnel, wrist pain, toothache, backache, stiff neck, TMJ and more. Bring powerful, ancient
healing techniques into your practice. Obtain educational resources for going further in
Acupressure Therapy. 4 CE Hours.
Speaker: Michael Reed Gach
Michael Reed Gach, Ph.D., author of seven books, is the Acupressure Institute’s Founder
(Berkeley, CA). His empowering, hands-on charts, booklets, CDs, and DVDs for Massage Therapists
are available at www.TensionRelief.info.
Class needs:
Massage table
An Introduction to Qualitative Health Research Methods for
Massage
This course will familiarize participants with qualitative health research methods and how
they can be applied to Massage Therapy practice and research. The focus will be on developing
research literacy skills. Participants will be introduced to key concepts, qualitative research
methods, and analysis of qualitative data. Participants will also be engaged through a discussion
of the application of qualitative research into their massage therapy practice and development of
qualitative research questions specific to the Massage Therapy Field. 4 CE Hours. Research Track
Speaker: Ania Kania
Ania Kania, BSc, RMT, is an active educator and writer in the Massage Therapy field. Her practice
has been focused on working with burn patients in Canada and Cambodia. She is currently a graduate
student at the
University of Calgary and working with Dr. Marja Verhoef.
Holistic Ethics: Applying Mindfulness & Somatics for a Sound Ethical Practice
This holistic approach to ethical practice is grounded in the philosophies of mindfulness and
somatics: the conscious act of paying attention to the present moment in a body-centered way.
Participants will have the opportunity to deepen their own awareness and understanding of ethics,
and learn a 14-point model for examining and resolving ethical issues. 4 CE Hours.
Speaker: Suzanne Nixon, EdD, CMT, LPC, LMFT
Dr. Suzanne Nixon is a licensed professional counselor, licensed marriage & family therapist
and state certified massage therapist who has maintained a private practice in counseling,
psychotherapy and mind/body therapies since 1981. She is known for her expertise in mind/body
approaches to health and wellness.
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American Massage Therapy Association®
