Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1102144
NEWS NOTES compiled by Brandon Twyford Editor, Online and Digital Strategy | brandon@abmp.com SURVEY: MOST MASSAGE THERAPISTS ARE HAPPY, SATISFIED WITH THEIR CAREERS In a survey of nearly 1,200 massage therapists, Massage Tables Now found that most massage therapists are "very satisfied" or "satisfied" with their careers, and nearly all therapists surveyed (99 percent) believe their work has a positive impact on their clients. Other key takeaways from the findings include: • Upon earning a massage license, 62 percent of therapists land a job in the field in less than 1 month, while 22 percent report earning a job at the one-month mark. • 78 percent of therapists "strongly agree" or "agree" that their massage therapy training program prepared them for a career in the field. • Nearly 2 out of 3 massage therapists have experienced unwanted sexual advances from clients. For an overview of the findings or to read the full report, visit www.massagetablesnow. com/blog/massage-therapist-career-satisfaction-study. RAIDS ON ILLICIT BUSINESSES IN FLORIDA Recent news reports about raids on illicit businesses masquerading as massage establishments in Florida are disturbing, particularly to ABMP and its more than 80,000 members who are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of conduct and ethics in the profession. Images of one of the storefronts clearly show the words massage therapy painted on the window—an example of the hijacking of the phrase for nefarious purposes. ABMP works with the Polaris Project in Washington, D.C.—a national support center for victims and survivors of human trafficking and a national center for information about the business of human trafficking. Massage therapy is one of many professions illicit business owners prey upon. For more information or to report an illicit business in your area, contact Polarisproject.org or call its National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888. You can also sign a Polaris pledge to help curb human trafficking worldwide at Polarisproject.org/action. ABMP & ASCP PUBLICATIONS NAMED FINALISTS FOR 16 AWARDS Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP), Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP), and Associated Hair Professionals (AHP), publishers of Massage & Bodywork, ASCP Skin Deep, and AHP Beauty Sense magazines, respectively, were named finalists for a total of 16 Maggie Awards. The Maggie Awards "invite content creators from all media segments to submit their brands for consideration. Print, online, digital, newsletters, video channels, social media, websites, are all invited." For a complete list of nominations, visit www.maggieawards. com/2018-maggie-awards-finalists. The winners will be announced May 3, 2019. Ta k e 5 a n d t r y A B M P F i v e - M i n u t e M u s c l e s a t w w w. a b m p . c o m / f i v e - m i n u t e - m u s c l e s . 21