This past year, AMTA committed $2.5 million to the Massage Therapy Foundation (MTF) over the next 5 years to support groundbreaking research, including studies on massage’s impact on pediatric sleep and trauma-informed massage therapy. Since the foundation's inception 35 years ago, AMTA has made an unparalleled investment in massage therapy research, contributing $16 million to help advance the profession.

Learn More about AMTA's Support for New Research

AMTA has also been sharing the latest research on the health and wellness benefits of massage therapy with the public. And, we’ve ensured that these vital studies have been placed in front of people over a billion times through national media coverage—bringing greater visibility, legitimacy, and trust to the profession. Some of the key topics highlighted this past fiscal year include: massage for pregnancy and labor, massage for whole life care, and massage for improving sleep quality. 

Explore our Press Releases

AMTA's Massage Therapy Journal (MTJ) publishes compelling articles on massage techniques, recent research, business guidance, self-care tips and more. And, we are proud to share that our Fall 2024 Edition, "Committing to Compassionate Inclusion," received an Honorable Mention at the 2024 MarCom Awards. This special issue featured articles on "Safe Touch in Massage Practice" and "Taking Caring of Your Transgender and Nonbinary Clients."

Read the Latest Issue of MTJ

Our Massage for Veterans campaign promotes massage therapy as a safe, non-pharmaceutical treatment for chronic pain and PTSD, encourages the prescription of massage within the VA system, and advocates for expanded insurance coverage. Earning an APEX Award of Excellence, a Hermes Gold Award, and a Communicator Award of Distinction, this campaign underscores the impact of AMTA’s advocacy for making massage therapy more accessible to military veterans.
 
Learn More About this Campaign

In September 2024, our massage therapy community gathered in Tampa, Florida, for the AMTA National Convention! Keynote speaker Dolly Chugh inspired attendees with insights on how massage therapists can foster more inclusive and supportive environments within their practices. Attendees also took advantage of the high-quality educational sessions, explored innovative products in the exhibit hall, and reconnected with friends old and new.
 
Check out our Upcoming National Convention in Denver

In 2024, AMTA took decisive action to protect the longstanding 150% rule, when the Department of Education proposed eliminating it. This rule provides critical flexibility for massage schools and ensures students can receive the full array of federal financial aid available. In response to their proposal, AMTA filed a lawsuit against the Department of Education; because of our actions and the actions of others, the 150% rule remains in place for now.

Learn More about AMTA's 150% Rule

The Massage Schools Grants, announced by AMTA and funded by Massage Envy, help massage schools attract, train, and graduate new therapists. By investing $100,000 in our massage therapy schools this past year, we helped build a stronger, more inclusive future for our profession. From creating dual-language programs to upgrading equipment, these grants have allowed schools to make lasting improvements, enhancing their learning environments and better supporting their students.

Explore our Schools Grants Program 

In February, AMTA hosted the 2025 Schools Summit in Anaheim, California. This annual event offers a valuable opportunity for educators and school owners to reconnect and learn from one another. It is just one of the many ways AMTA supports schools and helps shape the next generation of massage therapists.

Register for AMTA's Upcoming Schools Summit in Atlanta!