California Currents
Special Educational Conference Issue
May 2023
President's Message
It is time to express my deepest gratitude to those of you who made the investment in yourselves and our industry. The California State Conference served as an opportunity for us to reconvene as a Chapter and add to our knowledge and skills as Massage Therapists.

Welcome the Chapter Board!
President: Phil Okazaki
Board Member (2nd VP): Anna Beltran
Secretary: Becky Thom
Financial Administer: Michael Roberson
Board Member (1st VP): Tracy Albuera
Delegates
Hugo Cruz (2022-2023)
My name is Hugo Cruz. I received my certification in October of 2020. It was an interesting time to get certified. There was limited opportunity to learn and grow as a massage therapist in 2020 and 2021 but luckily for me, one of my classmates from the neuromuscular massage program mentioned a group called Freedom Community Clinic.

Mary Radzinski, NCBTMB (2023-2024)
I live in Redding, California and teach massage therapy at National Holistic Institute. I graduated from Maui School of Therapeutic Massage and have been in practice since 2006. To further enhance my teaching and keep my skills fresh, I provide massage therapy on a part-time basis at the Hale House at Stanly Ranch in Napa Valley.

Community Committees
Northern California:
Alicia Priebe, Bonni Kelley, Fred Anguera, Jr, Mary Radzinski

Southern California:
Jessica Coleman & Nikki Gordon
The AMTA National 2023-2024 Board of Directors
CLICK HERE to Read More about the Newly Appointed National Board of Directors.
John Lambert

Thank you for serving as our Appointee to the CAMTC Board. 
Natalie Seiden

Thank you for your time and service as our Delegate for these past 2 years.
Conference Review
Thank You to Our Gold Sponsors!

  • National Holistic Institute (especially, the Santa Ana Campus)
  • CAMTC (California Massage Therapy Council)
  • TOMii Healing & Wellness
  • Squeeze

We Also Would Like to Also Thank our Exhibitors & Supporters!

  • BodyKure, DayBreak Geriatric Massage Institute
  • Healing Arts Touch, HotShotz Reusable Heat Packs
  • Physical Touch Bodywork
  • Stopain Clinical/Troy Healthcare
  • VAAI

We are celebrating our 80th Anniversary as an organization all year!

We also want to take the time to acknowledge our members who also are sharing a Milestone Anniversary this year. Check out the history/milestones of these people and their time with American Massage Therapy Association.
Scholarship (National)
The AMTA 80th Anniversary $5,000 Student Scholarship is now open!

To apply, tell us how you hope to share the benefits of massage through your practice.

Applications are due by May 31!
Upcoming Workshops
Oncology Massage Introduction
June 10 & 11
9:00am-6:00pm
Sacramento NHI
16 CEs
**This is a two day course

People with cancer treatment histories present with many unique considerations that need to be taken into account during massage. Lymphedema or the risk thereof is a long term or late effect affecting many cancer survivors. Once triggered, lymphedema is not reversible and can at best be managed. This 16-hour workshop will assist therapists in providing safe, circulatory massage applications for clients with or at risk for lymphedema following their cancer treatment.
National Convention
Registration is now open for the AMTA 2023 National Convention! Join us in Phoenix, Arizona August 24-26 for community, continuing education, and celebration of AMTA’s 80th Anniversary.

CLICK HERE to Reserve your spot now to get your choice of sessions!

Want a sneak peek as to who is our Keynote Speaker? Introductions and just part of the story can be found HERE.
Community Outreach
Friday, July 14
Camp Pendleton Family Beach Bash
Del Mar Beach

CLICK HERE to read more.
Each ride in the Bike MS® series has a unique local flair while maintaining a consistently well-organized, supportive, and extraordinary experience.

CLICK HERE to read more.
Best Buddies® serves the IDD community that Best Buddies serves includes, but is not limited to, people with Down syndrome, autism, Fragile X, Williams syndrome, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury and other undiagnosed disabilities.

CLICK HERE to read more.
In the U.S., almost half of adults will experience a mental health challenge during their lifetime. During Mental Health Awareness Month, learn how a growing body of research supports the positive impact of massage for stress, anxiety, and depression.

Or enhance your massage skills by exploring techniques that offer relief to clients in our Massage Therapy For Depressed Clients CE.
Massage Industry Fact Sheet
The latest updated Massage Industry Fact Sheet is now available for you to download. CLICK HERE for the link.

Want to know who is coming in for massage? Gender ratio? Income? Why are they getting a massage? Where are they going for a massage? How are they finding a therapist? And more data. It’s all here.
Are you making use of one of your best resources for Massage Research and Education?

The Massage Therapy Foundation is an excellent source of information for you, your practice, and your clients AND most of the information is yours for free. 


Research Perch podcast. Massage Net. IJTMB (The International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork). And there is more. All can be accessed through MTF.
Keep in touch with us through our website: www.ca.amtamassage.org and follow us on:  FACEBOOK, TWITTER & INSTAGRAM
We want to hear form you. Really! Please let us know what you would like to see in your newsletter. Send in your suggestions to [email protected].