New Research Perch! Listen in as Ruth Werner and Dr. Niki Munk discuss three Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder-related case reports from the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (IJTMB) September 2025 Special Issue on Massage Therapy and Mental Health: bit.ly/41QNNmC

New Grantee Video! In late 2025, MTF's Community Service Award to Oakland Communities United for Equity & Justice wrapped up their one-year project providing weekly chair massage pop-ups for severe low-income/homeless individuals. See the inspiring impact: bit.ly/41k9J9u

“This study aimed to assess the impact of a 10-session hand massage protocol on hand function, grip strength, pinch strength, pain threshold, and tactile sensory threshold in patients with early-stage, seropositive rheumatoid arthritis...” bit.ly/47LgvJb #MassageMonday

IJTMB seeks submissions for a special issue on how massage therapy can impact the understanding, treatment, and lived experience of pain, as well as quality of life and overall wellness. The submission deadline is December 31, 2026. Please see full description submission requirements: bit.ly/43z6j4n

“Objective: To systematically evaluate, through a meta-analysis, the effectiveness and safety of massage combined with traction for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation (LDH).” bit.ly/4deWZrW #MassageMonday #lowbackpain #manualtherapy

“The objective of this scoping review was to map & characterize existing evidence for changes in cortisol and/or oxytocin levels in response to 3 common manual therapy interventions & to identify patterns & gaps within the literature.” bit.ly/4sAw9zu #MassageMonday

“Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of manual therapy on pain, walking function, proprioception, and lower-limb muscle strength in geriatric patients with knee osteoarthritis, and to explore potential biomechanical mechanisms.” bit.ly/4uyA40K #MassageMonday

A new issue of IJTMB has been released! In this edition, enjoy 11 open-access articles including an editorial about the role of language in defining professional credibility, a research article about Heisei shiatsu for cancer-related pain, and more: www.ijtmb.org

“Objectives: To determine if combining practitioner-delivered and self-care CIH therapies (PD/SC-CIH) improves pain outcomes more than practitioner-delivered CIH (PD-CIH) therapies alone.” bit.ly/4suoXUN #MassageMonday #MassageTherapy #chronicpainrelief #veteransupport

“Objective: This scoping review aimed to map the characteristics of manual therapy interventions applied in randomized controlled trials for tension-type headache.” bit.ly/4rLosG7 #MassageMonday #headacherelief #headache #massagetherapy

Apply by March 2, 2026! MTF seeks research grant applicants conducting studies on specific therapeutic applications of massage, public perceptions of and attitudes toward MT, and the role of MT in health care delivery. Learn more: bit.ly/2Fq4zO7

“This study aimed to assess the effects of single and multiple massage treatments on pressure-pain threshold (PPT) at myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) in people with myofascial pain syndrome expressed as tension-type headache.” bit.ly/3MvMaqB #MassageMonday #myofascialrelease #triggerpoint

MTF is excited to announce a $300k Research Grant to the University of Denver for their three-year study, “Prenatal Massage: A Complementary Approach for Maternal Health & Mental Health,” with the generous financial support of American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) & Massage Envy bit.ly/4c7enhT

“The objective was to synthesize current evidence on CIH approaches for veterans w/ chronic Low Back Pain, evaluate their impact on pain/function/well-being, & identify implications for policy/health system implementation/future research.” bit.ly/3ZFCblm #MassageMonday

The yearly American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) Schools Summit is always a great opportunity to network with schools, share resources to support teachers and students, and listen to engaging presentations. If you are in attendance, stop by the MTF booth and say hello! bit.ly/46PgH9w

MTF is excited to attend @AMTAmassage Schools Summit in Atlanta, GA! The Summit will also provide opportunity for MTF staff and Board of Trustees (BOT) to meet. Stop by the MTF booth tomorrow and say hello to our dedicated volunteers and staff! www.amtamassage.org/continuing-e...

“In this study, we aimed to assess the effectiveness of massage therapy in alleviating unpleasant symptoms and improving mood and emotional states in the early postpartum period.” bit.ly/4ri60o4 #MassageMonday #midwifery #PostpartumRecovery

New Research Perch! Listen in as host Annie LaCroix, Dr. Niki Munk, & special guest Rachel Romanelli discuss data collection methods within massage therapy practice & their utilization in the upcoming MassageNet Case Series Study. bit.ly/4tftYSs

Call for Poster Abstracts now open! Share your massage therapy research insights at the MTF Poster Session at AMTA 2026 National Convention August 27-29, 2026 in Denver, CO. Submission deadline is May 1, 2026: bit.ly/3MoA6XX #integrativemedicine #complementarymedicine #researchposter

“The study aims to determine the effect of arm massage on the success of peripheral intravenous catheter insertion in breast cancer patients undergoing intravenous chemotherapy.” bit.ly/4c76AjT #MassageMonday #breastcancerawareness #IntegrativeMedicine

“This study aimed to explore women’s experiences of massage during childbearing…[via] a qualitative study using an inductive approach. Semi-structured interviews with 12 women in Sweden were carried out, and data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.” bit.ly/4qIZdnn #MassageMonday

“Aim: To examine the effect of reflexology hand massage and placebo hand massage on pain and hemodynamic parameters related to endotracheal suctioning.” bit.ly/4qUTY3E #MassageMonday #Reflexology #IntegrativeCare

“This study aims to evaluate the impact of combining foot acupoint massage (FAM) and medium-frequency electrical stimulation (MFES) on the recovery of GI function after colorectal tumor surgery.” bit.ly/3YVdl0F #MassageMonday #Reflexology #ColorectalCancer

“Aims: To compare the effects of Swedish massage (SM) and hip strengthening exercises (HSE) versus control on pain, range of motion (ROM), and function in older adults with Knee osteoarthritis (KOA).” bit.ly/4qecaFA #MassageMonday #KneeOsteoarthritis #SwedishMassage #KneePainRelief

Our thanks to all who donated to MTF’s Year-End Giving Drive! Your gifts provide research, education, and community service initiatives to the profession in 2026 and beyond! Deep thanks to American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) for their matching contributions. We are grateful for your support!

Happy New Year! Health and happiness to you and yours in 2026!

Last Day! Make your tax-deductible year-end donation! Your gift supports MTF research grants, IJTMB scientific journal, MassageNet PBRN, and Community Service Awards in 2026. Donate by 12/31 & @AMTAmassage will match your gift. Every dollar is appreciated! bit.ly/4nU7KS7

“This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effect of Swedish hand massage on the quality of life of women undergoing mastectomy.” bit.ly/4pSHtW9 #massagemonday #handmassage #mastectomy #BreastcancerAwareness

3 days left: make your tax-deductible year-end donation! Your gift helps MTF provide education resources, fund important research, & award Community Service Grants in 2026. Donate by 12/31 and @AMTAmassage will match your gift. Every dollar is appreciated! bit.ly/4nU7KS7

MTF Board and staff wish you the happiest of holidays! MTF Offices will be closed December 24-26, reopening Monday December 29. We will also be closed for the day on January 1st. We look forward to serving you in 2026!

“This integrative framework conceptualizes how [massage] engages sensory-afferent & cognitive-affective pathways ideally situated to reshape predictive models of somatosensory experience & counter the long-term effects of trauma & pain.” bit.ly/45o9kFk #massagemonday #integrativemedicine

New Research Perch—Exciting updates coming to the MTF Community Service Award program! The 2026 maximum award is now *$20,000*, up from a previous maximum of $5,000. Tune in to learn about reasons for the change & how your organization can apply. bit.ly/3L64gOW

“[This study aims] to perform a systematic review of the existing evidence of the effects of manual therapy, both conventional and nonconventional, on any playing-related musculoskeletal disorder (PRMD) outcome in instrumentalists.” bit.ly/4qfdlEm #massagemonday

A new issue of IJTMB has been released! Read an editorial about leadership in the MT profession, research about MT for athletes, cancer-related pain, sinus headache, fibromyalgia, TMJ, menstrual cramps, & constipation, and a commentary on the potential impact of MT on veterans: www.ijtmb.org

“This study aimed to determine and compare the immediate effects of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) and classical massage (CM) in children aged 10–11 years with chronic neck pain.” bit.ly/44TlAxi #MassageMonday #NeckPain #PainMassage

Our deep thanks to all who donated on Giving Tuesday! We are grateful for your commitment to advancing the MT profession. A very special thanks to the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) for their Triple Match of Giving Tuesday donations, and 2x Match of funds donated between Nov 1- Dec 31!

Last call—Triple match ends at midnight! Don’t miss your opportunity to make three times the impact for research, education, and community service initiatives for the massage therapy profession. Your support is deeply appreciated! bit.ly/4nU7KS7

MTF Community Service Grants help bring massage to those in need—& you can help too! Donate to MTF on Giving Tuesday & AMTA will triple match your gift-today only! Up to $75,000 will be matched- Every gift is deeply appreciated: bit.ly/4nU7KS7

Today Only! Support MTF on Giving Tuesday—and AMTA will triple your gift! Help bring healing touch to the underserved, help researchers pin down the science behind massage’s benefits, & bring free educational resources to therapists, teachers, & students. bit.ly/4nU7KS7

Set a reminder—donate to MTF this Giving Tuesday, December 2nd, and the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) will generously triple match your gift—up to $75k total. We are grateful for your support at any amount! Donate here: bit.ly/4nU7KS7

“This study aimed to evaluate the effect of foot reflexology massage on neuropathic pain in women with type 2 diabetes.” bit.ly/48GAFER #massagemonday #diabetesawareness #reflexologymassage #NeuropathyRelief

Happy Thanksgiving! Sending our deep appreciation and warm wishes to you during this season of gratitude and joy!

“The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of soft tissue manipulation (Deep Tissue Massage - DTM) on subjective and objective parameters in a group of office workers with chronic low back pain.” bit.ly/43QcUrc #MassageMonday #LowBackPain #BackPainRelief #MassageResearch

Now is the best time to donate—and make twice the difference! Donate MTF during our Year-End Giving Drive and AMTA will generously match your gift. Use this link to DOUBLE your impact today: bit.ly/4nU7KS7

We are thrilled to welcome Robin Miccio, MS, LMT, to the MTF Board of Trustees! An LMT for 15+ years, Robin’s career has spanned private practice, massage education, multidisciplinary clinical settings and pediatric hospital environments. Learn more: bit.ly/4ra2DQw

“Objective: To investigate the impact of massage therapy on pain syndrome and shoulder function in women undergoing mastectomy, specifically those referred to oncology centres in Kerman.” bit.ly/48kPHzW #massagemonday #mastectomyrecovery #BreastCancerAwareness

New Research Perch! Enjoy a lively and informative discussion as MTF Case Report Contest Chair, Robin Miccio, speaks with 2025 Silver Award winner Hailey Robertson about her report, “Massage Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis.” Check it out here: bit.ly/43uyq4y

MTF is excited to announce the winners of the 2025 Case Report Contest! One Silver Award and one Honorable Mention were given for reports focusing on Massage for Multiple Sclerosis and Cervical Disc Herniation, respectively: bit.ly/49OrDqh

“Objective: to verify the impact of the use of connective tissue massage technique versus myofascial release performed manually by the therapist and foam roller self-myofascial release on fibromyalgia pain-related outcomes.” bit.ly/4859u6h #MassageMonday #fibromyalgia #painmassage

“Objectives: To identify and describe the available evidence on the characteristics of massage service provision in specialist [palliative care] settings.” bit.ly/4oPvGXK #MassageMonday #PalliativeCare