“Massage Parlor” Eliminated From NAICS Classification

In what is considered a huge win for the massage profession, the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) eliminated the term “massage parlor” in its 2022 update, which took effect January 1, 2022.

The NAICS is part of the US Census Bureau and the standard used by Federal statistical agencies in classifying business establishments for the purpose of collecting, analyzing, and publishing statistical data related to the U.S. business economy.

These updates also included maintaining massage therapy that is provided as an integrative health therapy under the large umbrella rubric of “Other Health Practitioners.”

AMTA, the largest nonprofit association serving massage therapists, took an active role in sharing feedback on behalf of the massage therapy profession.

IMTRC 2022 Registration Now Open

Registration for Massage Therapy Foundation’s 2022 International Massage Therapy Research Conference will be held on May 12—13, 2022 in Alexandria, Virginia, is now open.

Held every three years, this conference brings together thought leaders and educators in the profession to discuss massage therapy research and innovations.

Session topics include massage therapy as an integrative approaching to managing chronic pain, the latest science on muscles and massage, as well as hospital-based massage therapy.

Register now!

+ Read what Massage Therapy Foundation President Robin Anderson has to say about the importance of IMTRC.

Massage Therapy Foundation Introduces #RunningForResearch Boston Marathon Team, Student Case Report Contest Now Open

The Massage Therapy Foundation announced its 2022 Boston Marathon Team MTF—Running for Research team members, including Nancy Anderson Dollinger, Stacey Breslin, Lauren Hirsch and Sarah Lau-Melby.

Team MTF—Running for Research will be raising money and creating awareness for the Massage Therapy Foundation. Over the past nine years, this program has raised a total of $481,015 for MTF. This year, the MTF Running for Research Team has a goal of raising $54,000.

Get more information on the runners.

Are you a current massage therapy student with a case report to share?

Case reports play an important role in scientific and professional literature, and writing a case report helps massage therapy students develop communication and critical thinking skills.

Students must submit application before their graduation date, but applications are accepted year-round.

Get more information now.

NCBTMB Announces Certification Board Election Results

The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) announced that Crista De la Garza, LMT, BCTMB, and Dolly Wallace, LMT, BCTMB, were positively voted through by certificants to join the NCBTMB Certification Board as practitioner members, effective March 1, 2022.

Wallace, was also re-elected president.

“On behalf of NCBTMB, I would like to thank the board certificants for doing their due diligence,” said NCBTMB chief executive officer Shelly Johnson. “We are excited to welcome Crista to the Certification Board and to welcome Dolly back for another term.”

Both De la Garza and Wallace’s terms are for three years through February 28, 2025.  

For more information, visit NCBTMB's website.