AMTA 2018 National Convention

This August I had the opportunity to attend the American Massage Therapy Associations 2018 National Conference in Washington DC. I networked with and learned from some fantastic massage therapists from different states, took continuing education classes, and learned more about what is new in the world of massage.

This year the conference focused on veterans and access to massage. I enjoyed hearing from speakers that talked about connecting to veterans through the Veterans Affairs. The classes touched on how the VA functions as well as new studies being conducted by them about the benefits of massage therapy for multiple conditions veterans cope with. It was great to see all the new initiatives to help therapists, the VA, and veterans get in touch and working together. I hope that in the coming year I can reach out to more veterans and help the massage therapy industry to connect with the VA!

Some of the other classes I enjoyed talked about massage and headaches, body mechanics for massage therapists, and self care techniques for therapists and clients. I look forward to sharing some of these techniques with all of you in the near future.

The conference was a great reminder of all the diversity in the massage therapy field and all the amazing topics we still have to explore as the field grows. I look forward to the next opportunity to participate in continuing education classes and conferences. Below are some pictures from the conference!

Upper Left: Drawing exercise on current standing of massage and veterans and how we hope to see the field grow in the future in class: Military Veterans and Massage Therapy

Upper Right: Attendee Badge with state chapter pins from members I interacted with through the conference, therapists have some fun by trading to collect them all!

Lower Left: Postural exercise in class: Total Body Renewal

Lower Right: The class schedule for the conference