Welcome to our detailed monthly review of developments in the massage therapy industry. This report provides an in-depth look at significant events, regulatory changes, research findings, and professional opportunities that occurred in July 2024.

Healwell Organization Updates

Healwell continues to make significant strides in service provision and professional development:

• In July, Healwell provided 937 massage sessions across the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area. This impressive number brings their total sessions for the year to 6,340!

• Healwell Homecoming is scheduled for September 20-21. This event, gold-sponsored by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), promises to be a landmark gathering for massage therapy professionals with fun, laughter, and learning.

• A highlight of the Homecoming event is the Grand Noodle, taking place on September 21. This 3-hour continuing education event aims to foster meaningful discussions about real-world challenges facing the massage therapy profession, with a focus on Healwell's three core areas: Service, Education, and Research.

• The Grand Noodle will feature leaders from key organizations including AMTA, Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP), and the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA). Participants can expect to engage in conversations that blend pragmatism with hope, addressing complex issues while building professional connections.

Regulatory and Educational Developments

The U.S. Department of Education has been at the center of two significant developments that could have far-reaching implications for massage therapy education:

Program Length Regulation:

A federal rule known as the "150% Rule" that would have limited the length of entry-level massage therapy programs to their state's minimum requirement for Title IV funding eligibility has been temporarily halted. This injunction, issued by a Texas court, came in response to lawsuits from educational entities, including the American Massage Therapy Association. The rule was originally set to take effect on July 1, and its postponement has significant implications for both educational institutions and students. Many schools had already begun redesigning their curricula to comply with the anticipated reduced-hour requirements. The injunction allows schools to continue operating under the previous rule, which permitted Title IV funding for programs up to 150% of their state's minimum hour requirement.

Asynchronous Education Proposal:

The Department of Education has proposed a complete ban on asynchronous education in clock-hour programs, which includes many massage therapy training programs. This proposal stems from concerns about effectively monitoring student engagement during asynchronous learning, which gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department is currently seeking public input on this proposal, with the comment period open until August 23. This potential change could significantly impact the structure and delivery of massage therapy education programs nationwide.

In response to the Gainful Employment Rules, several states have revised their requirements for massage therapy education:

• Louisiana, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, Colorado, Delaware, Tennessee, Florida, and Nevada have all increased their entry-level education requirements to at least 600 hours.

• Rhode Island has gone further, increasing its requirement to 800 hours and also boosting its continuing education requirement to 24 CEUs every two years, up from the previous 6 CEUs annually.

These changes reflect a modest trend towards more comprehensive initial training and ongoing professional development in the field of massage therapy.

Industry Alert: School Closure

A significant development in the massage therapy education sector occurred on July 19, with the abrupt closure of MPower Career Training, a multi-state massage therapy education provider. This closure has affected students across multiple states, including Virginia, Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Florida, Texas, New Hampshire, Minnesota, and Alaska.

MPower advertised services to both potential students and potential employers. It had been working closely with the Hand and Stone franchise. In an interview posted on hand and stone’s website with MPower CEO, Pete Medd and Vice President, Jeff McGrath it was stated that Hand and stone provided quote “job opportunities and tuition sponsorship agreements to our graduates.”

A former MPower student described that students would take out private loans in their name, sign a contract to work for Hand and Stone for one to three years after graduating from the program and obtaining a license. Hand and Stone would pay loan after the therapist satisfied the agreed upon clock hour requirements. Another student stated that the private loans were issued by a company called MPower Financing, LLC out of Virginia.

Students have until July 19th, 2025- one year from the shutdown- to file a claim with the Student Tuition Recovery Fund.

If a student has been affected by the MPower closing, they should contact their state board:

• Arizona: Arizona Education Department

• Virginia: State Council of Higher Education for Virginia

• Illinois: Illinois Board of Higher Education

• Florida: Florida Commission for Independent Education

• Minnesota: Minnesota Office of Higher Education

• Texas: Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation

• Alaska: Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education

• New Hampshire: New Hampshire Department of Education

Research Highlights

Baylor University has published a study titled "Prevalence and determinants of massage therapy use in the U.S.: Findings from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey" in the journal EXPLORE: The Journal of Science & Healing. This study, based on face-to-face interviews with 27,651 people, provides valuable insights into the current state of massage therapy utilization in the United States.

Key findings from the study suggest that massage therapy is increasingly recognized as a mainstream healthcare service rather than an alternative therapy. One of the authors, Dr. Jeff Levin said:

"What our study shows is that it’s probably not helpful any longer to label massage as an ‘alternative’ therapy, with all of the marginality that the term conveys. Licensed massage therapists ought to be respected as mainstream practitioners, whose profession provides a therapeutic approach not just to address pain and functional challenges but to foster wellness and overall well-being, physical and emotional. Everyone can benefit from working with a skilled massage therapist. They’re the hidden gems in the healthcare system.”

This research underscores the growing acceptance and integration of massage therapy into mainstream healthcare practices, potentially opening new avenues for professional recognition and collaboration with other healthcare providers. However, it is only a beginning and there is still a lot of work to be done.

Professional Association Updates

• The United States Organization for Licensed Massage Therapists (USOLMT) has appointed Sharon Sterling as the new Secretary/Treasurer. This appointment positions the organization to pursue 501(c)(6) status, which would classify it as a tax-exempt business association. USOLMT is also actively seeking volunteers for the role of Director of Advocacy and State Point Persons.

• The Massage Therapy Foundation has released new podcast episodes in their "Research Perch" series, focusing on case studies in massage research. These episodes feature discussions with notable figures in the field, including Dr. Niki Munk of Indiana University and Robin Miccio of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Upcoming Professional Events

The massage therapy community has several significant events on the horizon:

• Healwell is offering specialized oncology-focused classes in Harrisburg, PA (August 23-25) and Keene, NH (October 23-25).

• The American Massage Therapy Association's National Convention is scheduled for September 12-14 in Tampa, Florida. A highlight of this event will be the Massage Therapy Foundation's dance party and karaoke event on September 13.

• The Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) Annual Meeting will take place October 3-5 in Washington, DC.

• The Black Massage Therapists Conference is set for October 8-9 in Charlotte, North Carolina, with early bird tickets currently available.

• Looking ahead to 2025, the Massage Therapy Foundation's International Massage Therapy Research Conference (IMTRC) is scheduled for April 27-29 in Alexandria, Virginia. This event offers a unique opportunity for researchers to present their work to clinicians and peers in the field.

• Additionally, Professor Lorimer Moseley, a renowned expert in clinical neurosciences and physiotherapy, will be conducting a rare North American tour in September and October, visiting Vancouver, San Francisco, and New York City.

Industry Engagement Opportunities

• Healwell's online community is currently focusing on the topic of neuroplasticity, offering members a chance to deepen their understanding of this crucial area.

• If you have news about the massage therapy profession, please send an email to [email protected]

This comprehensive update aims to keep massage therapy professionals well-informed about the latest developments in their field. By staying abreast of regulatory changes, research findings, and professional development opportunities, practitioners can continue to enhance their skills and contribute to the advancement of massage therapy as a respected healthcare discipline.

News Links:

Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP) News

American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) News

United States Organization of Licensed Massage Therapists (USOLMT) News

Healwell's Glossary of the Massage Therapy Profession