Massage Therapy Journal Fall 2025

20 • Massage Therapy Journal

■ Post: When I think about the future of massage therapy, I see it becoming even more essential to our guests and members’ monthly routines to help manage day-to-day stress, anxiety and muscle recovery. Over the past 10 years, I’ve personally seen the industry evolve to meet people where they are, both physically and mentally. That means more accessibility, more personalization and deeper integration of massage into one’s ongoing self-care routine. Our guests will continue to seek experiences that support their mental, emotional and overall well-being. ■ Kyles: I believe the wellness industry will include a richer sensory and energetic component. The resurgence of sound healing, vibration therapy, aromachology and even frequency-specific music therapy is already being explored across wellness spaces. Combined with advances in energy work and mindfulness practices, massage will continue to evolve as a fully immersive, full-body-and mind experience. These therapies, once considered fringe, are becoming more accepted and refined through evidence-based research and thoughtful integration. And when we root these practices in the rich traditions of ancient healing—from Thai massage and Ayurvedic therapies to Traditional Chinese Medicine—we’re not only honoring our past, we’re building a more inclusive and holistic future. In the treatment room, I believe accessibility and inclusion will be central to innovation. That means designing experiences and environments that welcome everybody—across age, gender identity, ability and cultural background. Advancements in adaptive massage techniques, inclusive training and therapist education will ensure that more people can benefit from massage, regardless of circumstance. ■ Rachel Romanelli , Government Relations Chair, AMTA MN As massage therapists, we bear the significant

responsibility of thoughtfully guiding and nurturing this ongoing growth. I firmly believe that the coming years will bring the continued advancement of massage therapy as a recognized and respected health care profession. Massage therapy will increasingly become an integral component of standard care, as a fundamental integrative health care right and accessible choice for everyone seeking its benefits. Realizing this vision hinges on focused and simultaneous efforts across several critical areas. These areas include legislative work aimed at achieving licensure in every state, the pursuit of additional validated research to strengthen our evidence base and proactive advocacy at the federal level to ensure the inclusion of massage therapy as a covered health care benefit. ■ Marisol Rivera-Placido , Government Relations Chair, AMTA NY Massage therapy education needs to move toward a more holistic curriculum and go beyond the basics of anatomy and physiology. More programs should emphasize specialized areas such as kinesiology, the study of human movement, and research methodologies. If we aim to practice in a clinical setting, we need the skills to analyze data and make informed decisions based on evidence, just as physical therapists and other health care professionals do. Additionally, as massage therapy becomes more integrated into multidisciplinary health care teams, it is vital for massage therapists to learn how to communicate scientifically with other professionals. Massage therapists should feel confident discussing clinical data and research findings in the same way that doctors, nurses and physical therapists do. Another area that deserves attention is the business side of massage therapy. In an era where many therapists seek the freedom of flexible schedules and control over their pricing, more business-focused courses should be included in massage programs. These would equip massage therapists with the knowledge

In an era where many therapists seek the freedom of flexible schedules and control over their pricing, more business focused courses should be included in massage programs.

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