American Massage Therapy Association^®

AMTA Initiates Hurricane Katrina Relief Plan
Members Affected by Storm to Receive Help Re-establishing Practices

Evanston, IL (September 29, 2005) – In response to the tragic and far-reaching effects of Hurricane Katrina, the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) has developed a Hurricane Katrina Relief Plan to assist massage therapists whose practices were damaged by the storm. The association already has opened its online Career Center to all massage therapists and massage-related businesses to post job openings and resumes. These postings are now free and are available both to AMTA members and massage therapists who are not members. AMTA is encouraging massage businesses to advertise openings for massage therapists from the three states affected by the hurricane.

AMTA will work with manufacturers and marketers of massage therapy products and supplies to develop a Practitioner Member Rebuilding Kit, which will include basic equipment and products to help AMTA members in the affected areas rebuild their practices. All AMTA members in the affected zip codes will be provided a kit upon their request.

AMTA will match dollar-for-dollar all funds raised voluntarily by AMTA Chapters (up to $50,000) to help offset members’ dues and Chapter fees for those who were affected. At its national convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which ended September 24, AMTA members donated more than $3,000 through the New Mexico Chapter to launch the effort.

In its publications Hands On, e-Touch and MASSAGE THERAPY JOURNAL, AMTA will publish articles focused on information that can assist its members to rebuild their practices.

AMTA also is watching the effects of Hurricane Rita to see if special efforts are needed in response to that storm as well.

With more than 54,000 members, the American Massage Therapy Association works to advance the profession through ethics and standards, public education and the promotion of fair and consistent licensing of massage therapists in all 50 states. October 23-29 is National Massage Therapy Awareness Week, sponsored each year by AMTA, to educate the public on the benefits of massage and to help consumers find qualified AMTA massage therapists.

# # #

Back to News Room