Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/72312
news notes COMPILED BY SEAN EADS SPECIAL ISSUE ON ONCOLOGY MASSAGE In November, the Society of Integrative Oncology (SIO), which was founded in 2003 to promote and integrate complementary and alternative treatments into current cancer therapies, published a special massage-oriented issue of the Journal of the Society of Integrative Oncology. The issue examines reports on massage therapy in cancer treatments, including overviews of massage research methodology and data on medical programs that integrate massage therapy into their cancer-fighting regimen. Access to articles is free to SIO members. The journal is available at http://bcdecker.com/ productDetails.aspx?BJID=329. MBLEx Test The Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards introduced its Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx) in October and says, as of press time, Arkansas, Iowa, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and West Virginia have adopted it. "The profession is past due for a current, comprehensive test that is affordable, convenient to take, and supported by a competent, caring organization," says Patty Glenn, LMT and Federation president. MBLEx testing features a strong customer-service program, costs $195, and can be taken year-round at more than two hundred U.S. sites. Results are available immediately. "This represents a significant first step toward reciprocity and portability of licensure across state lines," Glenn says. The gifts also marked ABMP's milestone of 61,000 members, making it the largest massage membership association in the nation. ABMP Donates $20,000 to Nonprofits Commemorating its twenty years of service to the massage therapy profession, Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP) gave $20,000 to nonprofit massage therapy organizations—the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards and the Massage Therapy Foundation— at ABMP's annual School Issues Forum in October. The Federation received $10,000 for promotion of its new profession-entry test instrument (MBLEx), already adopted by nine states. The $10,000 Foundation funds will be used to encourage massage research literacy through its Student Case Report Contest. The gifts also marked ABMP's milestone of 61,000 members, making it the largest massage membership association in the nation. 14 massage & bodywork january/february 2008