Friday, August 25

Tailoring Massage Sessions with Ladder of Engagement Protocols (Hands-on with table)

In this session, learn how to tailor your massage therapy sessions for maximum success. We will delve into the innovative world of ladder of engagement protocols, and discuss how to scale the intensity of your therapeutic approaches with finesse and precision. Explore the crucial role of modifying your massage techniques, based on the severity, stage and other key factors of a client’s condition. Find out how taking an individualized approach to each client’s needs, enhances the effectiveness of your work and massage therapy practice.

Whitney Lowe, LMT has been a massage professional for over 35 years, with a career marked by clinical work, research, publications, and teaching. He specializes in addressing pain and injuries and is one of the pioneers of the orthopedic massage approach. He is the founder of the Academy of Clinical Massage, which offers online and hands-on continuing education in advanced massage.

Materials Required: Please plan to bring or share a massage table if you select this class. Table storage will be provided.

Nerve Glide Techniques for Massage Therapists (Hands-on with table)

Nerve impingement issues can mimic musculoskeletal problems such as tennis elbow and IT band discomfort. In this session, discover how to assess if a client’s issue is stemming from nerve impingement. Learn easy and effective massage techniques to relieve nerve impingement issues by using movement and tension to glide the nerve along its path.

Dr. James Mally is a massage teacher, educational content producer, and creator of MassageLibrary.com. He has been practicing massage therapy and teaching courses for over forty years. In 1990, James founded the Healing Arts Institute, a California state-approved massage therapy school.

Materials Required: Please plan to bring or share a massage table if you select this class. Table storage will be provided.

Fundamentals of Fascial Therapy (Hands-on with table)

Come learn the fundamentals of fascial therapy with an inside look at the practical applications of this massage approach. Explore various styles, techniques and philosophies of fascial therapy and the physiological responses of both fascia and the rest of the body.

This session is part of the AMTA Fascial Therapy CE Program. You will gain the most value in this hands-on workshop, if you have previously taken one or more of the fascial therapy online courses.

Ann Teachworth has been working in integrative health, human performance, and movement for 15 years. She is an educator for massage therapists and yoga instructors, and focuses on functional anatomy, kinesiology, and mind-body training.

Lynn Teachworth is certified in over 20 massage and complementary medicine techniques and has been in the profession since 1993. Lynn has also worked with many professional athletes to address injuries and physical/mental performance.

Materials Required: Please plan to bring or share a massage table if you select this class. Table storage will be provided.

Teachers Day: Educators Knowledge Forum

Join fellow instructors for education, networking and strategies for your classroom. Discuss key challenges and opportunities in education and identify practical action items.

Winona Bontrager, LPN, BCTMB, LMT has been a massage therapist since 1986. She founded the Lancaster School of Massage in Pennsylvania in 1991 and is an AMTA Past President, serving on the board for over 15 years. Winona is currently a Partner for Health on the Integrative Healthcare Policy Consortium (IHPC) and continues to be active on national committees that involve massage and healthcare.

Cynthia Ribeiro, LMT is the advanced program developer and an instructor at the National Holistic Institute (NHI). She founded the Western Institute of Neuromuscular Massage Therapy, and was an honorary professor at the University of California-Irvine Medical School. Cynthia is an AMTA Past President.

Chronic Knee Pain: A Self-Management Guide (Hands-on without table)

Research indicates chronic pain from osteoarthritis is on the rise. It has been proven that massage therapy can reduce chronic pain and improve joint mobility in those with osteoarthritis. In this session, learn a newly published method of self-treatment that you can teach your clients to help manage this type of knee pain.

Dorothea Atkins has 20 years of experience as a massage therapist, nurse and researcher. She has researched and published a proven self-massage method for knee osteoarthritis pain relief.

Materials Required: This class does not require a table.

Unlocking the Science of Stretching: A Deep Dive into its Benefits and Techniques (Hands-on without table)

SESSION FULL

This session will focus on the latest research in stretching, its benefits, and the most effective techniques for implementing it into your massage therapy practice. We will explore the physiological and biomechanical effects of stretching on the body, including the role it plays in injury prevention, flexibility, and range of motion. Participants will also learn different stretching methods, such as static, dynamic, PNF, and active isolated stretching, and how to determine the best stretching protocol for your clients. You will leave with a comprehensive understanding of the science of stretching, how it can be used to optimize performance, and the overall health of your clients, within your scope of practice.

Dustin Donahue, LMT is the owner of Sandhills Orthopedic Massage where he performs clinical massage therapy in a medical setting. He has been a NCBTMB-approved provider since 2016 and has worked in spa, franchise and private practice settings. Dustin is also the founder of Get Deep Education, a continuing education company focused on deep tissue and longevity.

Materials Required: This class does not require a table.

The Neuro-Fascial Connection

Our understanding of the myofascial and nervous systems is constantly evolving. In this class, learn about the complex interactions between these two important systems. Explore massage techniques that can benefit your clients and help improve their health outcomes.

Dr. Marc Ellis is a certified massage therapist and professional educator with over 25 years of teaching experience. He holds a Masters Degree in Clinical Neuroscience, a Doctor of Chiropractic Degree and is a Diplomat in Chiropractic Neurology. He has been on the faculty at Gwinnett College, The Carrick Institute and has served as adjunct faculty at Life University.

Pain Management Policy, Research and Advocacy: How You Can Get Involved

As AMTA continues its advocacy efforts to promote massage therapy as an important part of an integrative approach to care, explore how you can get involved. Learn more about the state and federal policies that are changing the pain management landscape and helping to reduce the dependency on pharmacologic therapies for patients with acute and chronic pain. In this session, we will discuss AMTA’s government relations activities, our coalition partners, and opportunities for massage therapists to help elevate the profession. Participants will leave with a solid understanding of massage therapy legislative and regulatory initiatives at both the state and federal levels, as well as the basics of grassroots advocacy.

Christine Hoober is the Manager, Legislative and Regulatory Affairs at AMTA. Previously, she worked as the Government Relations Specialist for the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) and lobbied for the UM System during the 2016 Missouri General Assembly. Christine was also an Iyengar-trained yoga teacher who worked with individuals with Parkinson’s and fibromyalgia, and experienced firsthand the benefits of holistic approaches to integrated care.

Deborah Outlaw has served as a health care consultant for over 20 years, providing federal legislative and regulatory services to numerous organizations with health care interests, including physician specialty groups, allied health providers, medical device manufacturers, safety net facility prescription drug providers, hospitals, and associations. She also spent more than 35 years in health and public policy arenas, serving in two Presidential Administrations and on Capitol Hill for a U.S. Senator.

Martha Rinker is the Government Relations Policy and Research Analyst at AMTA. She has deep experience in both federal and state legislative and regulatory health policy with numerous national organizations, including the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), the Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialists, and the American Podiatric Medical Association. She also served as counsel to a State Senate Committee and Legislative Director to a Member of Congress.

James Specker serves as the Senior Director for the Government & Industry Relations Department. Prior to AMTA, James was the Director of Federal and State Advocacy for the American Association of Diabetes Educators, working primarily on licensing/scope, and practice and provider recognition issues. James has also worked for the Illinois Action for Children, advocating for access to daycare and early childhood education for low-income families in the state of Illinois.

Post-Abdominal Surgery: Moving Beyond Lower Back Pain

There are millions of abdominal surgeries each year and research indicates that massage therapy has many benefits for helping people recover from postoperative pain. In this session, we will discuss the causes of low back pain after abdominal surgery, and how to help clients move beyond it. Together, we will explore an easy-to-follow approach that you can use to help clients in your massage practice.

Jenice Mattek is a massage therapist, author, international speaker and entrepreneur. She specializes in post-surgical massage therapy and wellness for those with scar tissue and has co-authored a book on the topic. Jenice is also the co-owner of Chicago Integrative Movement Specialists and the Integrative Movement Instititute where she teaches the importance of post-surgery wellness and breath.

Massage Therapy for Hand Injuries (Hands-on without table)

Join us for a review of common compression injuries of the forearm and hand. We will discuss important concepts including: loss of function and disability, grip strength, and quality of life issues that arise with hand injuries. Then we will explore simple, gentle and effective techniques that massage therapists can incorporate into their practice. Some of these will include active and passive movements, joint play, isometric and other resistive skills to help reinvigorate the ligaments, tendons, and joint capsules of the forearm and hands. Plus, gain skills to strengthen the client/therapist relationship.

Pete Whitridge has been a licensed massage therapist since 1988. He teaches his Myofascial Components of Pain workshops, business building classes, and research literacy classes throughout the country. Pete has also been a faculty member at massage schools around the country.

Lymphatic Balancing for Massage Therapists

Lymphatic Balancing (LB) is a massage approach which uses specialized manual lymphatic drainage techniques to help orthopedic patients with lymphedema. Discover how LB can reduce excess fluid or swelling, fluid stagnation or lymphedema in the clients’ body. Learn how this technique expands on the work and teachings of other leaders in the field of lymphatic drainage.

Kerry D'Ambrogio is a physical therapist, osteopath and board certified acupuncture physician, as well as a recognized leader in the field of manual therapy. Dr. D’Ambrogio takes an integrative approach to care, blending Eastern and Western medicine to unlock perplexing pain and biomechanical issues.

Teachers Day: Teaching Professionalism to Massage Therapy Students

Professional practice education requires massage therapy students to embrace values, attitudes and skills that are not grounded in massage techniques. In this interactive session, gain valuable skills and see how to view massage therapy professional practice education through the lens of adult learning. Participants will be encouraged to share their classroom questions.

Pamela Fitch has been a massage therapy educator and practitioner for more than 30 years. She has explored professional, ethical and communicative challenges faced by massage therapists and remains focused on how massage affects clients who have experienced trauma, post-traumatic stress and complex pain conditions.

Introduction to TMJ

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain affects millions of Americans annually and massage therapy can be an effective method for alleviating symptoms. Join us for a dynamic visual and kinesthetic review of the TMJ along with typical compensation patterns. We will discuss various techniques that effectively address TMJ pain and learn how to approach clients about how massage can be an integral part of relieving TMJ discomfort.

Scott Raymond, LMT, BCTMB, RYT is a continuing education provider who has been a licensed massage therapist since 1998. He has been an entry-level educator and is an active volunteer whose practice is a blend of diverse bodywork methods.

New Massage Research: Staying Current So You Can Better Help Your Clients

This research-focused session was developed in partnership with the Massage Therapy Foundation. Staying up-to-date on the latest massage therapy research is essential to providing your clients with the best care possible, especially for those who are dealing with specific health conditions. Learn more about the latest research from this panel of experts, how to get involved in research in your practice, and hear from the Massage Therapy Foundation Gold Student Case Report contest winner.

Adrienne F. Asta, LMT, has been practicing massage therapy for over 20 years and holds certifications in neuromuscular therapy and prenatal massage. She is currently serving as President of the Massage Therapy Foundation Board of Trustees and as their Community Service Grants Proposal Review Committee Chairperson. Adrienne is also a member of the Alliance for Massage Therapy Education and has held multiple positions in massage therapy education.

Niki Munk, PhD, LMT is a licensed massage therapist and an Associate Professor of Health Sciences in Indiana University’s School of Health and Human Sciences. Dr. Munk is one of 13 international fellows in ARCCIM’s International Complementary Medicine Research Leadership Program. Her research focuses on massage therapy efficacy and effectiveness for chronic pain, mental health, and functional outcomes at all life stages. She has been on the Massage Therapy Foundation’s Board of Trustees since 2017, and is currently the Chairperson of the MTF Research Committee and Research Grant Review Committee.

Portia Resnick, PhD, is a board certified massage therapist and athletic trainer with over 25 years of experience in the sports medicine field and is the author of AMTA’s Sports Massage: Injury & Recovery online CE course. She is currently an Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Clinical Education for the athletic training program at California State University. Portia also works on the Massage Therapy Foundation’s Ergonomic Project and serves on NCBTMB’s Board of Directors.

Paitynn Hippisley is a recent massage therapy graduate from the MacEwan University in Edmonton, Canada. She was the 2022 Gold Award Winner of the Massage Therapy Foundation Case Report Contest which focused on spasticity in patients with cerebral palsy. She currently provides massage therapy at Northern Escape Heli Skiing.

Massage Therapy Techniques for the Head and Neck (Hands-on without table)

SESSION FULL

The neck is the most flexible part of the spine and the skull accounts for about ten percent of human weight. Our sitting culture poses unique challenges to the proper alignment of the neck and head, resulting in challenging tension patterns and nervous system integration issues. In this session, we will discuss massage techniques for working simultaneously with the head and neck to manage not only neck pain but also sensory awareness, integration of the head with the arms, and general whole-self connection.

George Russell, DC, focuses on anatomy, movement and spirituality. Dr. Russell has taught at the Swedish Institute, Kripalu, NYU, and Wesleyan University. His teaching is characterized by spontaneity, compassion, kinesthetic sensitivity, and clinical usefulness.

Materials Required: This class does not require a table.

Rehabilitative Sports Massage (Hands-on without table)

In this session, we will discuss how to recognize, assess and address common soft tissue injuries including: plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, shin splints, and rotator cuff strains. Participants will learn about the soft tissue healing process, the different severities and classifications of soft tissue strains and sprains, and how even non-athletes can suffer from soft tissue and overuse injuries.

Gary Schwander has been practicing massage therapy and teaching massage courses for over 30 years. He currently teaches at Therapeutic Connections School of Massage in Spokane, WA. Gary also worked as an Athletes' Medical Services Massage Therapist during the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games and as a member of the 2002 Olympic Sports Massage Team.

Materials Required: This class does not require a table.

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