Massage Therapy Continuing Education

Q: Nobody is "taking control" of the massage therapy field. Good thing too. Like nurses, DC's, PT's, & most other health care practitioners, there isn't any *nationwide* regulation. Of course, this doesn't mean they are not regulated. Massage therapy is regulated state by state in (at last count from several months ago -- 29 states). Many states have been regulating massage therapy education & practitioners for years now. Most regulated states require continuing education for license renewal. They have professional regulatory boards which handle complaints, questions, & certification of schools. In addition, the American Massage Therapy Association, the American Bodywork & Massage Professionals, & other professional associations continue to shape massage therapy & (especially in the case of the AMTA) promote higher standards for the profession & therapists. And what is the "right direction" for massage therapists to go? As an independent group regulated by the gov't.? Or do you think that they need to be "controlled" by other health care practitioners? And, pray tell, whoever would that be?

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