Saturday, August 29

Thai Massage for the Table: Techniques, Theory, and History (Hands-on with table)

SESSION FULL

Curious about Thai massage? This introductory class is perfect for you! This session will provide you with an in-depth overview of Thai massage theory and history as well as several signature Thai massage techniques that you can easily incorporate into your table sessions. Attendees will also learn the Thai approach to body mechanics that will save your hands and transform the way you perform all of your massages. Please come dressed in loose or stretchy comfortable clothing.

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

View Jill Burynski's Bio

Massage Therapy for Neck Pain, Headaches, and TMJ Dysfunction: An Interrelated Trio

SESSION FULL

Neck pain, headaches, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction are closely interrelated conditions, and lasting relief for any one of them often depends on understanding and addressing the others. In this 4-hour, evidence-informed lecture, we will examine common headache and TMJ pain presentations and explore how they are frequently linked to—and driven by—cervical spine and myofascial dysfunction. Attendees will learn how to assess and differentiate between muscular and joint-related TMJ dysfunction, identify common cervical trigger points associated with jaw and head pain, and understand their role in symptom development and persistence. This lecture-based session will also provide a clear, practical framework for clinical reasoning, including how to select and sequence massage and bodywork interventions, educate clients, and determine when to modify care, refer, or co-manage with other healthcare providers.

View Jared Cooper's Bio

Clinical Excellence: Advanced Assessment and Clinical Reasoning for Massage Therapists (Hands-on without table)

SESSION FULL

This comprehensive course equips massage therapists with the essential skills to conduct effective clinical assessments, enhancing their ability to identify musculoskeletal imbalances, dysfunctions, and movement restrictions. Through hands-on practice and evidence-based techniques, participants will learn how to perform postural analysis, range of motion testing, myotome and dermatome testing, orthopedic assessments, and palpation strategies to tailor wellness plans for optimal client outcomes. This course emphasizes clinical reasoning, critical thinking, and professional documentation, ensuring therapists can confidently assess and address client needs within their scope of practice. This session is ideal for both new and experienced therapists looking to refine their assessment skills and improve therapeutic effectiveness.

Materials Required: This class does not require a table but a towel or yoga mat is required for floor work.

View Matt Gavzy's Bio

Effective Soft-Tissue Strategies for Plantar Fasciitis and Plantar Fasciosis (Hands-on without table)

Heel pain affects up to 10% of the population. Since the source of heel pain is soft tissue in nature, the treatment should be soft tissue focused as well. Additionally, many long-term cases of plantar fasciitis are actually plantar fasciosis, which requires a completely different approach, and to add to the complexity, neural issues can present similar symptoms. In this hands-on training, attendees will gain an understanding of the difference between these three conditions and learn effective hands-on strategies that can make a significant difference in addressing heel pain properly.

Materials Required: This class does not require a table but a towel or yoga mat is required for floor work.

View James Ivaska's Bio

Advanced Lymphatic Drainage (Hands-on without table)

SESSION FULL

This advanced manual lymph drainage (MLD) course will address techniques for managing common dysfunctions of the lymphatic system, including those affecting the medial knee, deep abdomen, and superior neck. Strategies to enhance fluid movement in the body and around scar tissue through palpation and lymphatic/fascial mobilization techniques will be demonstrated and applied. This session will allow attendees to expand on their understanding of MLD and enhance their massage therapy practice.

Materials Required: This class does not require a table but a towel or yoga mat is required for floor work.

View Rob Kelly's Bio

Cultivating Stability and Presence: Grounding Techniques for Massage Therapists

Strengthen your grounding skills and transform the way you show up in your sessions. This class explores the science and practice of grounding Polyvagal-informed awareness, and practical techniques you can use immediately to support stability, calm, and connection. Learn tools that prevent burnout, enhance client interactions, and deepen your therapeutic presence. You'll leave with a personalized grounding plan to carry into your work and daily life.

View Jennifer Leogier's Bio

Putting Pain Science Into Play

Get modern critical pain science concepts off the page and into play. Modern pain science has shifted from a simple "tissue-damage" model to a complex, biopsychosocial understanding of the nervous system. Whitney Lowe's interactive course will demystify these often 'heady' theories, bridging the gap between theory and practice. Designed specifically for massage therapists, you'll learn to use these core constructs to get a clearer understanding of your client's pain – leading to smarter treatment OR health care decisions. If your clients' pain has ever felt unpredictable or confusing, this course offers clear, usable tools to improve clinical outcomes.

View Whitney Lowe's Bio

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

Hand and arm issues (including repetitive strain issues and various forms of overuse syndromes) are a complex area, but who’s better to work on it than people who use their hands as the tools for healing? This seminar is organized into two sections: common pain conditions, such as medial and lateral epicondylar pain, and nerve entrapment issues involving the median, ulnar, and radial nerves. A large part of our goal is to immerse attendees in anatomy that is learned through palpation, not memorized. Through precise palpation, special tests, and flexible manual approaches, the participant will deepen both their anatomical understanding and clinical acumen, allowing them to better address arm and hand issues for clients.

Materials Required: This class does not require a table but a towel or yoga mat is required for floor work.

View Doug Nelson's Bio

Massage and Movement: Integrating Pandiculations into Therapeutic Practice (Hands-on without table)

A pandiculation is an instinctive movement pattern that combines stretching, contracting, and releasing muscles. It’s something humans and animals naturally do, often after resting or remaining still for a period of time. A familiar example is the full-body stretch and yawn you might do when waking up. These movements are believed to help regulate brain states while supporting myofascial health and functional muscle tone.

In this experiential workshop, massage therapists will learn somatic movement pandiculations for self-care and practice applying them with clients. This gentle approach engages the conscious brain to release muscle tension without force, creating length and improving range of motion. Increasingly popular in yoga and somatic practices, these self-care tools and techniques can also be easily integrated into massage therapy sessions. This workshop is appropriate for anyone with a basic foundation in massage therapy.

Materials Required: This class does not require a table but a towel or yoga mat is required for floor work.

View Gabriel Posner's Bio

Ancient Tradition Meets Modern Practice: Introduction to Gua Sha (Hands-on with table)

SESSION FULL

Discover how an ancient healing tradition meets modern clinical practice in this dynamic, hands-on course. Participants will explore musculoskeletal applications, fascial concepts, and current research while learning safe, effective protocols for common client complaints. Through supervised practice, participants can build confidence in tool handling, pressure modulation, and treatment planning. After this session, attendees will leave with practical skills they can integrate immediately into their massage therapy practice to enhance outcomes and support self-care. The Gua Sha tool will be provided by AMTA and are to be used for this session.

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

View Scott Raymond's Bio

Introduction to Craniosacral Therapy (Hands-on without table)

SESSION FULL

Experience Craniosacral Therapy's gentle manual techniques in this exciting course that will be immediately applicable in your clinical massage practice. Learn how to explore and feel the subtle, whole-body craniosacral rhythm, address fascial restrictions in a new way, induce a still point to support balance and self-regulation, and incorporate a grounded approach to energy into your work. These gentle and widely-applicable techniques can help support relaxation and balance in your clients' bodies.

Materials Required: This class does not require a table but a towel or yoga mat is required for floor work.

View Claudia Silva's Bio

Close out Convention on Saturday with an unforgettable keynote from Shawn Ellis—leadership guide, motivational speaker, resilience strategist, and author. In this transformative session, Shawn will challenge you to rethink what you hold onto, what you release, and what possibilities are next. With his trademark blend of science, strategy, and storytelling, he’ll inspire you to rise above uncertainty, embrace change with confidence, and elevate your massage therapy career to new heights.

Shawn is the author of Mastering the Moments: A Journey of Endings, Beginnings and The Space in Between, and he was named one the “Top Keynote Speakers to Help You Navigate Change.” Known as The Endings Expert, he teaches Radical Adaptability—a powerful approach to reframing your mindset during life’s transitions. Prepare to walk away energized, empowered, and ready for what comes next in life.

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