AMTA-WI Newsletter

Connecting Hands

August 7, 2020

Go for the Gold

Sports massage techniques and strategies will vary depending on the athlete's sport.

In the past, some athletes may have viewed sports massage therapy as something done only after a demanding physical performance. While post-event benefits remain a vital part of sports massage, the story goes much deeper.

Today, we know that sports massage plays an increasingly significant role during an athlete’s training season, as well as mere hours before an event.

Train of Thought

Every athlete and every training program is unique, so there is no one set-in-stone formula for athletes and massage therapists working together. A therapist is always adapting strokes to suit an athlete’s needs and training goals. “A cyclist versus a hurdler have very different concerns in terms of massage,” says Ann E. Boone, LMT, teacher of kinesiology and ethics at the Lexington Healing Arts Academy, Lexington, Kentucky. “You want to make sure that you’re not treating everyone the same.”

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Improving Sleep and Managing Stress

Massage improves sleep quality in ICU patients and manages work-related stress in EMS staff.

When a person is critically ill, a cascade of other symptoms not directly related to disease or illness can follow—especially for those patients who need to remain hospitalized for any length of time. Pain, depression, anxiety and poor sleep quality are all common issues for people facing serious illness, and they can negatively affect the healing process.

Massage therapy is well known for helping some of these conditions, but little research exists about how massage might be used with the most criti-cally illpatients. However, that’s starting to change.

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WI Meritorious Award

Megan Gaurano, LMT

Megan is an outstanding individual who diligently contributes to the Wisconsin chapter's newsletter communication each month. She also serves on the education committee and assists with the sponsorship committee. Megan's knowledge of Constant Contact and Cvent have been a tremendous help to the board.

From Our Chapter President

Dear Chapter Members:

Our Chapter Board was privileged to meet with a representative of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to discuss the current situation regarding COVID-19 and massage therapy. The Department recommends massage therapists follow the recommendations laid out by WEDC. As of the date of our meeting there have been no outbreaks of COVID-19 related to massage therapy businesses.

I am happy to report that many massage businesses were recipients of the State of Wisconsin We're All In Grants. Our chapter was able to provide over 30 letters of support for our members applying for the grants. Our lobbyist connected with the state to make sure our industry was represented as a profession hard hit by the pandemic and in need of support.

In the May and June newsletters I mentioned 2020 being the 10th anniversary of our massage license in Wisconsin. Carol J. Buckholtz pointed out that her 1999 document read, "license" from the Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing. I want to clarify: On May 13, 2010 Governor James Doyle enacted 2009 Wisconsin Act 355, which became effective December 1, 2010. This legislation created the occupational license for Licensed Massage Therapists and Bodywork Therapists in Wisconsin. This was the culmination of a long process with important steps along the way. In 1998 Massage Therapists were granted Wisconsin Registration, a voluntary credential that provided title protection only. In 2002, after considerable efforts toward licensing, the status was upgraded from Registration to Certification (still a voluntary credential). I apologize if my comments caused any confusion on the history of our credentialing in Wisconsin.

We have updated our website! Please check out www.AMTAWI.org to see our new site. Thank you to Leah Strutz for working on this big project!

On a personal note: I am on the homestretch to complete my

Doctorate of Health Professions Education at Logan University and will graduate later this month. I am excited to share all the insight I've gain from my studies with our massage community. My research project has centered on blended (online and in-person) delivery of entry-level massage education. If this is a topic that interests you, I'd be delighted to share my research with you - send me an email.

Yours in service,

Jeffrey Montoya

Wisconsin Chapter President

WI Member Anniversaries

Kathleen Treffert

Barbara Achten

Ellen Dugolenski

Ruth Gosselin

Mary Hoey

Michele Johnson

Kelly Lee

Mark Mitchell

Kurt Nesgood

Debbie Pomeroy

Anna Strenski

Rebecca Anderson

Maria Beaumont

Renee Bernard

Shelby Blaauw

Shelly Breunig

Nicole Cramer

Mary Gosling

Mary Grassel

Kathleen Hults

Jodi Jensen

Lynn Kutz

Donna Sarafin

Massage Therapy and Bodywork Therapy

Affiliated Credentialing Board

Our Chapter asked the Credentialing Board to consider easing burdens on Massage therapists for the upcoming renewal in February 2021. Unfortunately, the board doesn't have the authority to reduce or waive renewal fees.

It does have the authority to waive continuing education requirements on an individual basis.

If you are unable to complete your continuing education requirements because of special circumstances or hardship, you may request a waiver from the Credentialing Board.

The Credentialing Board will be discussing options regarding CPR/AED renewal, should in-person CPR classes continue to be cancelled with more discussion at their December meeting.