Massage Therapy Journal Summer 2026

DEPARTMENTS

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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT We Are All on the Same Team

Massage Therapy Journal ® | Official Publication of the American Massage Therapy Association ® Summer 2026 Vol 65. No 2 ISSN: 0895-0814 USPS 0010-218 Print and digital cover credits: Photo illustration with elements courtsey of Sanit Fuangnakhonand New Africa at Shutterstock.com Michelle Vallet Senior Publications Manager AMTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS (effective March 1, 2026) Rick Greely President Jane Horton Johnson President-Elect Cindy E. Farrar Immediate Past President

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SHAREABLE RESEARCH Updates in Research: Massage + Sports

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ADVOCACY How AMTA Is Increasing Access to Massage Therapy And Breaking Down Barriers to Whole-Person Care

Bernadette Binns Blount Director Heber J. Blackner Director Pamela M. Blazek Director Matthew Fecteau Director Donald Goodale Director Deb Kilty Director Cheryl L. Siniakin, Ph.D. Director Lee Stang Director

EDITORIAL REVIEW OPERATIONAL COMMITTEE Jacqueline Herbach, LMSW, LMT President, Momentum Massage, Jane Neumann, BS, LMT, NCTMB Private Practice

Fitness, & Mind New York City Steve Jurch, MA, ATC, LMT Director of Allied Health Training at the Community College of Baltimore County

AMTA Illinois Chapter Communication Chair

AbbasyKautsar Creative / MMD Creative / PolCreate / Shutterstock.com

Jessica Libero, LMT, NCTMB Connecticut and New York Licensed Reiki Practitioner Martha Brown Menard, Ph.D., CMT

66 RESEARCH Strengthening Community

Impact: The Next Chapter of the Massage Therapy Foundation’s Community Service Awards

Publication Management SPARK Publications sparkpublications.com

Project Manager: Jaclyn Yepsen Creative Director: Larry Preslar

Massage Therapy Journal is published quarterly by the American Massage Therapy Association (address below). Periodicals postage paid at Evanston, Illinois, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Massage Therapy Journal , 500 Davis St., Suite 900, Evanston, IL 60201-4695. SUBSCRIPTIONS: All subscription matters and notice of change of address should be sent to: Massage Therapy Journal Subscriptions, AMTA, 500 Davis St., Suite 900, Evanston, IL 60201-4695 (877-905-2700). Subscription rates: U.S. and Canada, $25 for one year (four issues); $45 for two years (eight issues). Foreign, $70 for one year; $120 for two years; available on a limited basis. Contact AMTA Member Experience, 500 Davis St., Suite 900, Evanston, IL 60201-4695. Phone: 847-864-0123 info@amtamassage.org EDITORIAL COPY: Queries should be sent to Michelle Vallet via email: mtj@amtamassage.org . Visit amtamassage.org/mtj for writer guidelines. Information contained in Massage Therapy Journal does not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of AMTA and/or the staff of Massage Therapy Journal . ADVE RTISING: Contact the AMTA sales team at Smithbucklin to learn more about advertising and exhibitor opportunities: (301) 215-6710 Ext.130 or hbrown@smithbucklin.com. Copyright © 2026 American Massage Therapy Association MTJ-024

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Self-Care Tips for Career Longevity 74 TOOLS OF THE TRADE Meet Shawn Ellis

Salomi art / Shutterstock.com

AMTA 2026 National Convention Closing Keynote Speaker

amtamassage.org/mtj