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The massage therapy landscape is shifting with regulatory changes and developments across states, including the Interstate Massage Compact passing in five states and ongoing advancements in state licensing requirements. Recent months have seen significant changes including Vermont's increased registration fees, Idaho's elimination of continuing education requirements, and new regulations addressing human trafficking in multiple states.

• Interstate Massage Compact has passed in five states, with two more needed for implementation
• Vermont raised application and renewal fees for massage registration
• Idaho eliminated continuing education requirements while extending renewal cycles to two years
• Oregon increased massage therapy fees by 35% for budget rebalancing
• Utah now requires massage establishment registration starting October 1st
• Arkansas added massage businesses to those required to display human trafficking hotline information
• AMTA highlighted new research supporting massage for anxiety and depression
• Upcoming events include AMTA National Convention and Black Massage Therapist Conference
• International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork June edition features various research studies

ABMP Scholarship Sweepstakes

Healwell Substack: More Than Hands

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Regulation might sound like the least exciting topic in massage therapy, but it's actually the battleground where our professional identity and future are being decided.

Massage therapy regulation is far more than bureaucratic red tape; it's a dynamic system that establishes professional standards, protects the public, and helps define who controls the massage profession's territory. We break down the complex regulatory landscape, explaining how licensing affects practice rights and why it matters to every therapist.

If you found this episode helpful, consider donating to Healwell at healwell.org/donate. Even small donations make a big difference in helping us continue these important conversations about the massage therapy profession.

Support the show

Send us an email: [email protected]
Leave us a voice message: 703-468-1799

Check out our interview-style podcast: Interdisciplinary

You can support Healwell and the cool things we make by donating here!
Ways join in:

• Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe to our Substack: "More Than Hands"
• Check Healwell’s live and online classes
• Continue the conversation with a free 3-day trial of the Healwell Community
• Find a copy of Rebecca Sturgeon's book: "Oncology Massage: An Integrative Approach to Cancer Care"

Thank you to ABMP and AMTA for sponsoring us!

Healwell is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based out of the Washington DC area. Check us out at www.healwell.org

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Read our blog post for more in-depth information on why CAMTC should be sunsetted.

California is one of only five states without massage therapy licensing, operating instead under a questionable "voluntary certification" system run by the California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC). This system requires minimal education, no continuing education, and no examination, while creating barriers for therapist mobility and failing to protect the public.

• CAMTC is a private, non-profit corporation that has been criticized for lack of transparency and accountability
• The CEO of CAMTC earns over half a million dollars while the organization collects $8 million in fees
• CAMTC has arbitrarily denied certificates to qualified students and operates without due process requirements
• Professional organizations including AMTA and ABMP support sunsetting CAMTC
• A hearing on April 29th could determine whether CAMTC will be dissolved

Show notes:

----> ABMP Template for Writing a Letter to California Legislators <----

ABMP Statement on California Licensing

AMTA Statement on California Licensing

FSMTB Model Massage Therapy Practice Act

Special thanks to Laura Allen for fact-checking this episode. Read her blogs about CAMTC here.

CAMTC Sunset Hearing Background Report

2022 CAMTC 990 tax document

2023 CAMTC 990 tax document

Support the show

Send us an email: [email protected]
Leave us a voice message: 703-468-1799

Check out our interview-style podcast: Interdisciplinary

You can support Healwell and the cool things we make by donating here!
Ways join in:

• Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe to our Substack: "More Than Hands"
• Check Healwell’s live and online classes
• Continue the conversation with a free 3-day trial of the Healwell Community
• Find a copy of Rebecca Sturgeon's book: "Oncology Massage: An Integrative Approach to Cancer Care"

Thank you to ABMP and AMTA for sponsoring us!

Healwell is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based out of the Washington DC area. Check us out at www.healwell.org

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Healwell's Glossary of the Massage Therapy Profession

New Healwell Class: Cultural Competency for Bodyworkers and Healthcare Providers

Healwell News 1:24

State and National News 2:13

Association News 8:13

Events 10:58

Davonna Willis Interview

Beneficial Ownership Checklist

COMTA Likes Us!

ABMP Events

AMTA Call for Speakers

MTF Grants
IMTRC Registration
ABMP News
AMTA News

Support the show

Send us an email: [email protected]
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Check out our interview-style podcast: Interdisciplinary

You can support Healwell and the cool things we make by donating here!
Ways join in:

• Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe to our Substack: "More Than Hands"
• Check Healwell’s live and online classes
• Continue the conversation with a free 3-day trial of the Healwell Community
• Find a copy of Rebecca Sturgeon's book: "Oncology Massage: An Integrative Approach to Cancer Care"

Thank you to ABMP and AMTA for sponsoring us!

Healwell is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based out of the Washington DC area. Check us out at www.healwell.org

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Suicide hotline: call or text 988
International Suicide Hotlines

Register for the Community Processing Event on February 25th

Corey Rivera and Cal Cates address the alarming suicide rates among massage therapists by exploring underlying risk factors, including perfectionism, isolation, and occupational stress. By recognizing these nuances, the conversation encourages community engagement and accountability to promote better mental health outcomes.

• Discussing general risk factors for suicide 
• Understanding perfectionism and its types 
• Examining isolation within the massage therapy profession 
• Highlighting the economic instability faced by massage therapists 
• Analyzing the impact of ACEs on mental health 
• Exploring job demand and control dynamics 
• Reflecting on the effects of COVID-19 on the workforce 
• Emphasizing the need for community and support in the profession

Healwell Blog; Worst. Game. Ever.

CDC Article: Suicide Rates by Industry and Occupation
Healwell Class: Empowering Individuals to Navigate Crisis
Integrated Motivational Volitional Model of Suicidal Behavior

Support the show

Send us an email: [email protected]
Leave us a voice message: 703-468-1799

Check out our interview-style podcast: Interdisciplinary

You can support Healwell and the cool things we make by donating here!
Ways join in:

• Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe to our Substack: "More Than Hands"
• Check Healwell’s live and online classes
• Continue the conversation with a free 3-day trial of the Healwell Community
• Find a copy of Rebecca Sturgeon's book: "Oncology Massage: An Integrative Approach to Cancer Care"

Thank you to ABMP and AMTA for sponsoring us!

Healwell is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based out of the Washington DC area. Check us out at www.healwell.org

Send us a text

The episode discusses the hidden mental health crisis within the massage therapy profession, spotlighting alarming suicide rates and the pressing need for open dialogue and community support. By exploring the complexity of suicidal ideation and the current model we use to understand suicide, we aim to equip listeners with tools to recognize and address these critical issues.

Suicide hotline: call or text 988
International Suicide Hotlines

Register for the Community Processing Event on February 25th

CDC Article: Suicide Rates by Industry and Occupation
Healwell Class: Empowering Individuals to Navigate Crisis
Integrated Motivational Volitional Model of Suicidal Behavior
Entrapment Scale
Boring Books for Bedtime Podcast

PBS Documentary: Facing Suicide
When It Is Darkest: Why People Die by Suicide and What We Can Do to Prevent It

Support the show

Send us an email: [email protected]
Leave us a voice message: 703-468-1799

Check out our interview-style podcast: Interdisciplinary

You can support Healwell and the cool things we make by donating here!
Ways join in:

• Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe to our Substack: "More Than Hands"
• Check Healwell’s live and online classes
• Continue the conversation with a free 3-day trial of the Healwell Community
• Find a copy of Rebecca Sturgeon's book: "Oncology Massage: An Integrative Approach to Cancer Care"

Thank you to ABMP and AMTA for sponsoring us!

Healwell is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based out of the Washington DC area. Check us out at www.healwell.org

Send us a text

Corey Rivera and Cal Cates explore the existence of rubbing robots and how (unsurprisingly?) they prompt a critical examination of what defines massage therapy. This episode dives into what the robots can and cannot do, why they're happening now, and how you need a human to do massage therapy.

Unreal Rubbing Robot Images
Michael and Aubrey's Podcast
Aescape
Alex: Massage Robotics
Phill the Nightstand
2023 ISPA U.S. Spa Industry Study
2024 ISPA U.S. Spa Industry Study
Massage Cost Optimization Article

Support the show

Send us an email: [email protected]
Leave us a voice message: 703-468-1799

Check out our interview-style podcast: Interdisciplinary

You can support Healwell and the cool things we make by donating here!
Ways join in:

• Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe to our Substack: "More Than Hands"
• Check Healwell’s live and online classes
• Continue the conversation with a free 3-day trial of the Healwell Community
• Find a copy of Rebecca Sturgeon's book: "Oncology Massage: An Integrative Approach to Cancer Care"

Thank you to ABMP and AMTA for sponsoring us!

Healwell is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based out of the Washington DC area. Check us out at www.healwell.org

Send us a text

Topics:

• Healwell News 0:44
• State and National News 2:44
• Massage Envy Settlement  2:49
• Association News 7:20
• AMTA, MPPR, and Veteran's Affairs 9:58
• Upcoming Live and Online events 14:30

Healwell's Glossary of the Massage Therapy Profession

Opening to the Mystery with Cal Cates (21 CEUs for most healthcare)

Department of Justice
AMTA's Letter to Veteran's Affairs
MTF Grants
IMTRC Registration
ABMP News
AMTA News

Support the show

Send us an email: [email protected]
Leave us a voice message: 703-468-1799

Check out our interview-style podcast: Interdisciplinary

You can support Healwell and the cool things we make by donating here!
Ways join in:

• Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe to our Substack: "More Than Hands"
• Check Healwell’s live and online classes
• Continue the conversation with a free 3-day trial of the Healwell Community
• Find a copy of Rebecca Sturgeon's book: "Oncology Massage: An Integrative Approach to Cancer Care"

Thank you to ABMP and AMTA for sponsoring us!

Healwell is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based out of the Washington DC area. Check us out at www.healwell.org

Send us a text

This episode contains a discussion about suicidal ideation. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or crisis call or text 988 on your phone to reach the suicide hotline or click the lifeline link.

Healwell believes it is important to talk about the hard things. In this short episode,  with an introduction by Cal Cates, Corey Rivera talks about their recent experience with suicidal ideation; what it is, what it isn't, and how to support yourself or someone else who may be experiencing it.

Call or Text 988
988 Lifeline Home Page

International Suicide Hotlines

For more information:
Ologies Podcast: Suicidology
NPR: Reach out and listen: How to help someone at risk of suicide
Toxic Positivity and Mental Health | When Does Optimism Become Toxic?

Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Suicide Prevention Resource for Action
2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention

Support the show

Send us an email: [email protected]
Leave us a voice message: 703-468-1799

Check out our interview-style podcast: Interdisciplinary

You can support Healwell and the cool things we make by donating here!
Ways join in:

• Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe to our Substack: "More Than Hands"
• Check Healwell’s live and online classes
• Continue the conversation with a free 3-day trial of the Healwell Community
• Find a copy of Rebecca Sturgeon's book: "Oncology Massage: An Integrative Approach to Cancer Care"

Thank you to ABMP and AMTA for sponsoring us!

Healwell is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based out of the Washington DC area. Check us out at www.healwell.org

Send us a text

Topics:

• Healwell News
• State and National News
• Association News
• Upcoming Live and Online events

Healwell's Glossary of the Massage Therapy Profession

NPR: Non-Compete Ban Thrown Out
The Massage Therapy Foundation Ergonomics Project Interest Survey
MTF Public-Based Research Network
MTF Executive Director Departure (After 26 Years!)
MTF Practitioner and Student Case Report Contest

Support the show

Send us an email: [email protected]
Leave us a voice message: 703-468-1799

Check out our interview-style podcast: Interdisciplinary

You can support Healwell and the cool things we make by donating here!
Ways join in:

• Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts
• Subscribe to our Substack: "More Than Hands"
• Check Healwell’s live and online classes
• Continue the conversation with a free 3-day trial of the Healwell Community
• Find a copy of Rebecca Sturgeon's book: "Oncology Massage: An Integrative Approach to Cancer Care"

Thank you to ABMP and AMTA for sponsoring us!

Healwell is a 501(c)(3) non-profit based out of the Washington DC area. Check us out at www.healwell.org