Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1515580
A B M P m e m b e r s ea r n F R E E C E h o u r s by rea d i n g t h i s i s s u e ! 13 Better education. I think it needs to be a bachelor's degree. I also think clinical should be off-site from schools like with any other health-care profession. JK AREYLMT I would love for therapists to fi nd the courage to set their fees to refl ect the value of their services. SOUTHERNPINESMASSAGE Better pay and full benefi ts. It's hard to keep going in this industry when employers don't treat us like educated, professional, licensed health practitioners. LIBBY_TOENJES More funding for massage research. THE.SPA.NERD For people to stop calling us "masseuses." It's an old, outdated term with sexual undertones. I also agree with the other comments: health insurance, great education, and more recognition in the health fi eld for being more than a "fl uff" treatment. We work hard and are healers. LUNARDAYSPA Nationwide standards for education, leading to nationally recognized licensures. As an educator, different standards for different states are exhausting and unnecessary. EMILEENORVELLCAMPBELL I didn't know how to say this or word it without offending anyone, but the ties [massage] has with sex work and the stigma there is for Asian women specifi cally in the industry and breaking those generational curses, barriers, and stereotypes. HYDEE.CARNEROSRESORT Mentorships or apprenticeships. Options for self-employed/private practice health insurance. If we're injured, we're screwed. Better education programs with more consistency across the US. Less ridiculous fi nes and fees. The Department of Health offers little to no support or protection. Thanks for doing this good work ABMP. MEL ANIEJOYE.LMT I think every therapist should be trauma-informed. We touch people in a vulnerable position. An understanding of trauma responses should be required. RORTEGA11 As a professor at a university that teaches anatomy and physiology (A&P) to massage therapists while being a therapist myself, I believe there should be an option to sign up for a bachelor's degree. I've taught other disciplines in vocational/technical programs and none deep-dive into A&P, not nearly as much as massage therapists do. It's a lot, and most times (in my experience), we know more than most. CC _THETHERAPIST Accessible resources for burnout. People turn to us for a lot physically and energetically. It seems like boundaries can be trickier to maintain than in other "helping" professions. Simply taking (usually unpaid) time off isn't always an option. MALIDAVIS _LMT Thankful for the support and resources ABMP provides. My fi rst thought would be better, consistent pay and benefi ts. I feel like I'd have the time and money to better myself as a therapist if I had the funds. I'm always proud to say what I do, but it's been a struggle for sure. Now, I teach at a school, and the pay is also not great, still leaving me needing to work multiple jobs. B _BEISNER The industry as a whole needs to stop pushing for only spa-type massages. There are so many courses for those of us who want to learn to do full-on treatment plans, but most of the public has no idea we exist. JSCOT T.LMT More value in evidence-based practices and more valid research in outcomes and true physiological responses to massage techniques. VERITASMASSAGESTUDIO I feel like the education system isn't consistent because of the various state regulations. As someone who traveled the country, worked in six states, and went to a COMTA-certifi ed school, I rarely see things like passion, integrity, pride, and dedication to the industry anymore. Someone is out there telling people this career is easy because schooling is shorter or more affordable, but you shouldn't be approaching massage school if you aren't truly passionate about the human body or acquiring the helping hands of being a massage therapist. I.AM.AUDRIE.KUHL SPE AK YOUR MIND