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HWN Suggests

How Does Massage Work?

"How does massage work?"

My late Russian Massage teacher Zhenya Kurashova Wine asked this question at the beginning of my first class with her. We sat and looked at her blankly. No one raised their hand, no one offered an answer. What kind of a question was this, anyway? We never thought about this. You know, you put your hands on people and then . . . well, massage happens!

When it became apparent that no one was going to attempt to answer, Zhenya finally said, "I'll tell you how it works," and then went on to explain.

We have a brain, a spinal cord, and nerves going out to the periphery. When we put our hands on the client's skin, mechanoreceptors at the sensory nerve…

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 How Does Massage Work?

My late Russian Massage teacher Zhenya Kurashova Wine asked this question at the beginning of my first class with her. We sat and looked at her blankly. No one raised their hand, no one offered an answer. What kind of a question was this, anyway? We never thought about this. You know, you put your hands on people and then . . . well, massage happens!

Massage Therapy Associations and Related Organizations

Massage therapy associations and related organizations.

Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals

ABMP...Serving the massage therapy community since 1987 through practice support, ethical standards, legislative advocacy, and public education.

Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation

The COMTA accredits both educational institutions and programs offering instruction in massage therapy and bodywork or esthetics and skin care. The organization was formed to establish and maintain the quality and integrity of the profession and is governed by a Commission of elected volunteers

International Register of Massage Therapists

We offer high quality training courses through external tutors, many of whom have started their careers training with us — of which we are very proud.

Massage Therapy Foundation

The MTF advances the knowledge and practice of massage therapy by supporting scientific research, education, and community service.

National Association of Massage Therapists

Insurance benefits for the practice of: -Massage -Aromatherapy -Reiki -Reflexology -Lymphology -Oriental Bodywork -Spiritual Touch

National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork

The NCBTMB is an independent, private, nonprofit organization founded in 1992. The mission of NCBTMB is to define and advance the highest standards in the massage therapy and bodywork. In support of this mission, NCBTMB serves the profession through Board Certification, Approved Providers, Assigned Schools and entry level State Licensure Exams.

Alexander Technique International

ATI is a world-wide organization of teachers, students and friends of the Alexander Technique, created to promote and advance the work begun by F. Matthias Alexander. ATI embraces the diversity of the international Alexander Technique community and is working to promote international dialogue.

American Massage Therapy Association

AMTA is the largest non-profit, professional association serving massage therapists, massage students and massage schools. AMTA provides our members with the strongest benefits in the profession. We promote massage to the public, the health care community and other important groups. We work for fair licensing of massage in all states, and actively support research.

Bowen Association UK

The aims of the association are to: -Provide technical and practical support for Bowen therapists and their clients -Provide a practitioner referral service for the general public -Increase awareness of the Bowen Technique to the general public and health professionals.

Canadian Massage and Acupressure Therapists Association

CMATA is an independent non-profit organization for acupressure massage therapists. We foster high standards of ethical and professional practice by recognizing individual practitioners through membership that hold the formal educational and practicing qualifications.

Canadian Massage Therapy Alliance

The CMTA is a nationwide alliance composed of provincial professional associations to provide a forum for collaboration to advance massage therapy as a health care profession in Canada.

International Association of Animal Massage & Bodywork

We are a professional community of people who share the goal of providing holistic, loving support for animals through massage and bodywork. We gentle animal bodyworkers, with confidence and compassion, assist others to develop their talents by teaching and providing our specific, uniquely personal techniques.

International Association of Infant Massage

The purpose of the International Association of Infant Massage is to promote nurturing touch and communication through training, education and research so that parents, caregivers and children are loved, valued and respected throughout the world community.

International Loving Touch Foundation

ILTF is one of the first established training programs of infant massage in the world.

Irish Massage Therapist Association

The IMTA was founded in 1990 and is one of the most respected associations in the field of complementary healthcare in Ireland today. We promote and encourage high standards in training, education and the practice of the many diverse forms of massage therapy.

Massage New Zealand

MNZ is the association of professional massage therapists in New Zealand. The purpose of MNZ is to promote the benefits of massage, provide the public with access to registered massage therapists and to support professional massage therapists throughout New Zealand.

National Association of Nurse Massage Therapists

NANMT members are committed to integrating massage and bodywork into various settings of contemporary nursing practice and health care. We work cooperatively with other health care professionals and with other nursing and massage/bodywork organizations.

Scottish Massage Therapists Organisation

SMTO exists to provide a service to the public, the Massage Therapist and the profession. The SMTO also works with the General Council for Massage Therapy (GCMT) in developing and maintaining standards, and has been approved by the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) as a verifying organisation.

Shiatsu Society UK

The Shiatsu Society is a non-profit organisation which represents all styles and the majority of Shiatsu practitioners, schools and students in the UK - promoting their work and professionalism.

Society for Oncology Massage

S4OM exists to support and educate massage therapists, consumers, and health professionals about the value and specific considerations and applications of oncology massage. When it comes to oncology massage we answer the questions, "What is it?" "Why is it?" and "Where is it?".

Sports Massage Association

The SMA is a not-for-profit Professional Association run by elected members for benefit of the membership. Its role is to further the profession of Soft Tissue Therapy including Sports Massage through representation on industry bodies, by supporting its members and promoting the profession of Sports Massage to potential users.

Therese C. Pfrimmer International Association of Pfrimmer Deep Muscle Therapy

Therese C. Pfrimmer, creator of Pfrimmer Deep Muscle Therapy, considered her work to be finished and complete. She stated to Mary Kish, her personal assistant, on multiple occasions that she did not want her work altered or changed in any way. One of the missions of the T.C.P.I.A.D.M.T. is to be the steward of the original work of Therese C. Pfrimmer. We are doing our very best to keep her work pure.

Traditional Thai Massage Association

It is the traditional medicine of the Kingdom of Thailand, and the Thai traditional massage is Oriental medicine with alternative medicine, the results as the preventive medicine.

Zero Balancing

The mission of the Zero Balancing Health Association is to help people experience health, well-being and higher consciousness by facilitating the study, practice and development of Zero Balancing.

American Institute of Naturopathic Medicine

As an association affiliate within American Health Source, Inc. the American Institute of Naturopathic Medicine is a national association that supports the efforts of traditional health care providers to deliver competent natural health care, promote advancements in education and training of traditional physicians, consultants, and therapists, and to provide professional and administrative services to natural health care providers.

American Manual Medicine Association

The AMMA was specifically created to represent you. Our primary goal is to assist you in the growth, image and protection of your profession. The AMMA seeks to promote Manual Therapy as an allied health care profession. This goal is achieved through professional standards, education, and testing.

American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia

ABT promotes, maintains, and restores physical, emotional, mental, energetic, and spiritual health by treating the bioenergetic system with Oriental Medicine based assessments, treatment strategies, and bodywork techniques.

AmSAT

American Society for the Alexander Technique is affiliated with seventeen international societies of teachers of the Alexander Technique committed to supporting the highest standards of teaching, professional training and conduct worldwide.

Association of Physical and Natural Therapists

The APNT was originally formed in 1986 to give therapists a professional body interested more in high standards and professional conduct than in red tape. Non commercial, not-for-profit, with a loyal base of practitioner members and a voluntary Executive Committee, the APNT runs on commitment, mutual support and belief in the value of our unique setup. Our members say this about us:

Association of Reflexologists

The Association of Reflexologists is the foremost aspirational and independent Professional Reflexology Association in the UK since 1984, providing benefits, advice and guidance to reflexologists and working with other external bodies and advisory groups to promote the highest standards in the profession.

Australian Natural Therapists Association

The ANTA is the largest national democratic association of 'recognised professional' traditional medicine and natural therapy [Complimentary Medicine] practitioners who work in the areas of health care and preventative medicine.

Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy Association of North America

The BCTA/NA is a non-profit organization supporting practitioners and schools of the biodynamic model of craniosacral therapy, as developed by Franklyn Sills, in the lineage of William Garner Sutherland, DO, and others.

British Cupping Society

The purpose of the BCS is to provide leadership in the practice of cupping therapy.

Complementary Therapists Association

We are leading professional association representing sports, spa and complementary therapists in the UK and Ireland.

Council for Soft Tissue Therapies

The Council for Soft Tissue Therapies is the only forum where Professional Associations who represent massage and soft tissue therapies can come together to discuss and resolve industry issues. We aim to represent the views of the whole spectrum of massage and soft tissue practitioners by working collectively in the best interests of the profession.

Dr. Ida Rolf Institute

To bring Rolfing® Structural Integration to the world through public awareness, research, and certification and continuing education for Rolfers™.

Edgar Cayce's A.R.E.

The Mission of the A.R.E. is to help people transform their lives for the better, through research, education, and application of core concepts found in the Edgar Cayce readings and kindred materials that seek to manifest the love of God and all people and promote the purposefulness of life, the oneness of God, the spiritual nature of humankind, and the connection of body, mind, and spirit.

Esalen

Esalen is a pioneer on the leading edge of consciousness, where spiritual possibility, intellectual rigor, somatic practice, and sustainable living converge toward an integrated realization of the human potential.

Federation of Holistic Therapists

The Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT) is the largest and leading professional association for therapists in the UK and Ireland. With thousands of members offering a broad range of specialisms - from sports and remedial therapies, to complementary healthcare and holistic beauty treatments — the FHT is the association of choice for professional therapists.

Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards

The mission of the Federation is to support its Member Boards in their work to ensure that the practice of massage therapy is provided to the public in a safe and effective manner.

Hands On Trade Association

Established in 2000, we are directed by Judi Calvert. Judi has made it her life’s mission to promote and educate touch therapists and professionals about the importance of the job they do every day. She is committed to improving lives through touch and Hands On Trade is an extension of that mission.

International Association of Reiki Professionals

IARP®, the International Association of Reiki Professionals® is the professional association of the global Reiki community, working to promote wide-reaching healing effects throughout the world and to provide members with great benefits and tools to enhance and expand their practices.

International Federation of Aromatherapists

The IFA is the First, Oldest and Largest governing body for professional aromatherapy and aromatherapists worldwide. The IFA logo symbolises Experience, Expertise and Excellence in the field of aromatherapy and the complementary health and alternative medicine profession.

National Association for Therapeutic Exercise

As an association affiliate within American Health Source, Inc. the National Association for Therapeutic Exercise is a national association that supports the efforts of therapeutic exercise practitioners to deliver competent advice and program planning, promote advancements in education and training of therapeutic exercise specialists, exercise consultants, personal trainers, and group fitness consultants and to provide professional and administrative services to all therapeutic exercise practitioners.

The Reiki Association

The Association exists to enable people with Reiki to connect and share experiences with each other, to learn, support and find friendship with others who are exploring a life with Reiki. For many, being a member of TRA brings a valuable sense of being part of the wider Reiki community.

TouchPro International

TouchPro was developed in 1986 by David Palmer, the “father” of chair massage, out of his passion for positive touch. Our focus is seated massage and our commitment is to provide training, resources and support to help people learn about and earn a living providing skilled touch.

World Tui-Na Association

The age-old science of Chinese Tui-Na medicine revolves around the use of the physician’s hands to diagnose through palpation and treat diseases and illnesses with a variety of manual techniques.