Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/398416
F r e e m u s i c d o w n l o a d s f o r C e r t i f i e d m e m b e r s : w w w. a b m p . c o m / g o / c e r t i f i e d c e n t r a l 19 NEWS NOTES Tax Credit for Electric Tables An income tax credit may be available to therapists purchasing electric lift tables for their practice. Electric lift tables that lower to a height of 19 inches or lower are eligible for a tax credit under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) because they improve accessibility. The credit is equal to 50 percent of the table's purchase price, less $250, with a maximum amount of $5,000. Check with your tax advisor to see if you are eligible. For more information on the credit, visit www.ada.gov/archive/taxpack.htm. ABMP Certified members receive significant discounts on tables from Custom Craftworks, Earthlite, and Oakworks. Massage Education: Room for Improvement A study published in the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork evaluated the quality of massage education in the United States, using employment data, numbers of disciplinary actions against massage practitioners reported by state regulatory agencies, and a survey of educators. The study sought to determine whether accreditation of massage schools improves the quality of education and whether adding advanced competency levels would be helpful in increasing massage therapy's credibility in the eyes of other health professionals. Researchers concluded that while accreditation does appear to improve the quality of education, the current quality of massage education in the United States is inconsistent. The authors also recommended a wide variety of improvements. The full study is available at www.ijtmb. org/index.php/ijtmb/article/view/248. Marshall Dahneke Receives Leadership Award Performance Health CEO Marshall Dahneke accepted the ONE Concept Leadership Award on Saturday, September 27, at the American Massage Conference in San Diego. Through his company and his associated volunteer work, Dahneke has led the profession in providing support for massage therapy schools and grants for students through the Successful Hands Grant Program. He's worked to build bridges between massage therapy and allied health professions, including chiropractic. He's also been instrumental in rallying industry leaders to support the Massage Therapy Foundation. The ONE Concept Leadership award recognizes an individual or group for outstanding achievements that serve the greater good of professionals, the public, or the environment. Performance Health owns a variety of brands—including Biofreeze, Bon Vital', TheraBand, and TheraPearl—that complement the massage and bodywork professions. compiled by Brandon Twyford Performance Health CEO Marshall Dahneke