Check your email for the Spring 2023 Newsletter:



Presidents Message

Chapter Convention Report

Spring is here and there is a freshness in the air. As I am entering year two of my presidential term, I would like to give you some updates. Our Chapter Convention was held on February 17-19. You can view video segments of our annual meeting on our Facebook page.

Keynote speaker Donna Richards spoke on the benefits of massage therapy for people with autism. Vivian Davis gave the yearly financial report for the chapter and all is well.

Election results:

  • Board Member Shanese Armstrong Mark (Brookhaven)
  • Secretary Miranda Womack (Calhoun)
  • Delegate Sonia Gibson (Fayetteville)
  • Financial Administrator Michelle Hutcheson* (McDonough)

Continuing officers and delegates:

  • President Terri Barton (Rome)
  • Board Member Mary Leanna Loyd (Waycross)
  • Delegate Michelle Hutcheson (McDonough)

*When no one runs for office, the board elects an officer until the next election. Elected positions are elected by chapter members and serve a two-year term.

Please congratulate our 2023 Award Recipients:

  • Meritorius: Miranda Womack (Calhoun)
  • Distinguished Service: Terri Barton (Rome)
  • Humanitarian: Vivian Davis (Albany)
  • Member of the Year: Toni Roberts (Marietta)
  • Outstanding Committee Chair: Nathalie Gregory (Buckhead)
  • Outstanding Committee for GR: Shanese Armstrong Mark (Brookhaven)
  • President’s: Shanese Armstrong Mark (Brookhaven)

Awards are nominated by members, recommended by the awards committee, and approved by the board.

Committee Chairs were approved at our March 17-19 Board Training:

  • Communications Chair Nathalie Gregory
  • GR Chair Shanese Armstrong Mark
  • Financial Committee Chair Vivian Davis
  • Awards Chair David Pierre.

Chairs are appointed by the president and approved by the board for a term of one year.

Continuing Education Proposed Dates:

  • September 20-October 1, 2023: Hands-on, Warner Robbins
  • February 23-25, 2024: Chapter Convention, Lithia Springs including an ethics class
  • July 20-21, 2024: Hands-on, Columbus
  • September 28-29, 2024: Hands-on, Savannah

Please stay tuned for updates. Contact any chair or officer if you have any concerns or comments, or if you would like to join our volunteer team.

In June 2023, Shanese Armstrong Mark, Nathalie Gregory, and I will be attending training with National. The National office sends out surveys to the various BOD members asking what training we need in order to serve our chapters best. This year’s training will be pretty intense, and we look forward to learning all we can. A side note here please: if you have any questions regarding Government Relations please contact Shanese Armstrong Mark at mailto:massagebyshanese@gmail.com.

AMTA is 80 years old this year!!! 

Please celebrate with us on August 24-26 in Phoenix at our National Convention in Phoenix. !!!  I have never seen hotel rooms this cheap during convention, book yours now. If you are attending the convention look for an email from the chapter in August from the BOD, we will have a meet-up during the convention and we also want to make your experience the best that it can be!

“August 16, 1943 – Postgraduate class of the College of Swedish Massage in Chicago met in an open forum and decided to form a new professional association called the American Association of Masseurs and Masseuses (AAMM).  Basis of the pledge of membership was a commitment to service, ethical practice, and the massage therapy profession.” –AMTA Timeline

How do you volunteer with AMTA?

Simply reach out to us. In addition to elected and appointed positions, there are all kinds of ways to volunteer, being a door greater at the annual convention, working a phone tree, setting up a room, and reaching out to a committee to help out. National also seeks volunteers.

Be sure to check out AMTA by logging into your account. There are updates as to everything in which your organization is involved. Fill out the surveys that are sent to you, this is how change is made. AMTA is not an insurance organization, we are member-driven and we are here for you. If you have any questions or want to help please contact me and I will lead you in the right direction.

I want to thank each and every one of you for helping the Georgia Chapter to be the best we can be, Hand in Hand together we lead the way!

Health, Happiness, and Well-being,

Terri Barton, LMT, Ph.D., MT000262

President AMTA Georgia Chapter

tlbartonlmt@gmail.com

770-548-8093

 

AMTA Georgia Chapter Calendar

Sep
15
Sat
Eliminate Multiple Nerve Compression Pattern of the Upper Body @ Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta West/Lithia Springs
Sep 15 @ 8:30 am – 6:30 pm

James Waslaski is an Author & International Lecturer who teaches approximately 40 seminars per year around the globe. He’s served as AMTA Sports Massage Chair and FSMTA Professional Relations Chair. He’s developed 8 Orthopedic Massage and Sports Injury DVDs, and authored manuals on Advanced Orthopedic Massage and Client Self -Care. His new book: Clinical Massage Therapy: A Structural Approach to Pain Management, was published by Pearson Education in 2011. James is a Certified Personal Trainer with NASM. He presents at state, national and international massage, chiropractic, and osteopathic conventions, including keynote addresses at the FSMTA, World of Wellness, New England Regional Conference, the World Massage Festival, and Australian National Massage Conventions. His audience includes massage and physical therapists, as well as athletic trainers, chiropractors, osteopaths, nurses and physicians. James received the 1999 FSMTA International Achievement Award, and was inducted into the 2008 Massage Therapy Hall of Fame. James was awarded Massage Therapist of The Year in 2012 at the Canadian Massage Conference. He was also nominated and awarded by his peers and colleagues the designation of Teacher of The Year 2015 at the World Massage Festival.

Manual Therapy to Eliminate Multiple Nerve Compression Pattern of the Upper Body

The current medical system so often confuses severe clinical conditions such as Thoracic Outlet and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. That is because almost every patient that gets treated for either of these conditions will have nerves chronically compressed in multiple areas between the brain, spinal cord, neck, shoulder, and arm. This dynamic multimedia presentation will highlight our cervical, shoulder and arm work to eliminate multiple nerve crush phenomenon. Therapists will learn specific tests such as the Spurling Test indicating spinal nerve root compression, the Adson’s Maneuver Test indicating scalene involvement on nerve and vascular compression between the 1st and 2nd rib and clavicle, the Wright Abduction Test indicating the role of the pectoralis minor on the brachial plexus of nerves, the Pronator Teres Test indicating the role of the pronator teres on the median nerve, and tests such as the Phalen’s Test, Tinel’s Test, and the Tethered Median Nerve Stress Test indicating true and rare carpal tunnel problems. The highlight of this seminar will be the hands on techniques that will eliminate the musculoskeletal cause of each area of nerve compression between the brain and the fingertips forever. In addition, therapists will learn life changing techniques to release complicated frozen shoulder problems.

Supplies: massage table, massage oil, sheets, and towels.

Register Here

Sep
16
Sun
Eliminate Multiple Nerve Crush Phenomenon of the Lower Body @ Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta West/Lithia Springs
Sep 16 @ 8:30 am – 6:00 pm

James Waslaski is an Author & International Lecturer who teaches approximately 40 seminars per year around the globe. He’s served as AMTA Sports Massage Chair and FSMTA Professional Relations Chair. He’s developed 8 Orthopedic Massage and Sports Injury DVDs, and authored manuals on Advanced Orthopedic Massage and Client Self -Care. His new book: Clinical Massage Therapy: A Structural Approach to Pain Management, was published by Pearson Education in 2011. James is a Certified Personal Trainer with NASM. He presents at state, national and international massage, chiropractic, and osteopathic conventions, including keynote addresses at the FSMTA, World of Wellness, New England Regional Conference, the World Massage Festival, and Australian National Massage Conventions. His audience includes massage and physical therapists, as well as athletic trainers, chiropractors, osteopaths, nurses and physicians. James received the 1999 FSMTA International Achievement Award, and was inducted into the 2008 Massage Therapy Hall of Fame. James was awarded Massage Therapist of The Year in 2012 at the Canadian Massage Conference. He was also nominated and awarded by his peers and colleagues the designation of Teacher of The Year 2015 at the World Massage Festival.

Manual Therapy to Eliminate Multiple Nerve Crush Phenomenon of the Lower Body

Based on myofascial pain studies presented at Harvard Medical School, and research dating back to 1946, participants will learn new techniques that will forever change the way they approach myofascial pain, and nerve entrapment pain in the lower extremities. Too often the clinical diagnosis will focus too much on the area of clinical symptoms when dealing with peripheral nerve entrapments, without freeing up the proximal nerve entrapments that feed the peripheral nerves. Aligning the spine is simply not enough in many cases. Manual Therapists must remove the soft tissue restrictions causing stress on discs and fixating joints onto nerves. In the low back, 90% of patients suffering from disc injuries do NOT require surgery.  These innovative structurally-oriented routines offer pain-free multi-modality methods for achieving immediate and permanent results for nerve entrapments throughout the kinetic chain of the lower extremity.  We must look beyond things like disc herniation, compression of lumbar nerve roots, and spinal stenosis. You cannot treat clinical conditions like sciatica, tarsal tunnel, or Morton’s neuroma if you do not free up the multiple fascial nerve adhesions and entrapments feeding from the spinal cord. James will incorporate dazzling 3-D functional anatomy and human dissection models to support his multi- disciplinary approach for assessment, treatment and correction of multiple nerve entrapment pain. Revolutionary techniques to release advanced stage hip capsule problems will be highlighted in this presentation.

Supplies: massage table, massage oil, sheets, and towels.

Register Here

Feb
23
Sat
Georgia Chapter Annual Meeting @ Gwinnett College -Sandy Springs Campus
Feb 23 @ 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm

GA Chapter Annual Meeting*
Saturday, February 23, 2019
Lunch Included
12:30 – 2:00 p

*Education with Felicia Brown has been canceled

Location
Gwinnett College
Sandy Springs Campus
6690 Roswell Road Suite 2200
Sandy Springs, GA 30328

Register Here

Hotel Reservations

LaQuinta Inn and Suites
6260 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd. NE
Atlanta, GA. 30328

Group Rate: $90 Good through February 1st
Call:  1-866-527-1498
Ask for AMTA group rate

www.laquintaatlantaperimeter.com
Breakfast included

Chapter Contact
Vivian Davis Ethridge, Georgia Chapter President
229-869-9008
healinghands00709@yahoo.com

Sep
14
Sat
Pregnancy Massage – All 4 Trimesters @ The Wellness Center, Navicent Health
Sep 14 all-day

Pregnancy Massage – All 4 Trimesters
Instructor:  Kim Corpus, LMT
8 CE’s

Hotel Information:
Courtyard Marriott Macon
3990 Sheration Drive
Macon, GA 31210-1721
Phone: 478-477-8899

Cost is $91.00 per night, plus 14%tax and a $5.00 state of Ga motel fee

Sep
15
Sun
Massage to Support Labor, Delivery, and Postpartum @ The Wellness Center, Navicent Health
Sep 15 all-day

Massage to Support Labor, Delivery, and Postpartum

8 CE’s

Hotel Information:
Courtyard Marriott Macon
3990 Sheration Drive
Macon, GA 31210-1721
Phone: 478-477-8899

Cost is $91.00 per night, plus 14%tax and a $5.00 state of Ga motel fee

Feb
21
Fri
AMTA Georgia State Convention @ Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta West
Feb 21 – Feb 23 all-day
Jun
20
Sat
Spontaneous Muscle Release Technique (SMRT): Arm and Hand @ The Wellness Center
Jun 20 @ 9:00 pm – Jun 21 @ 4:30 pm

CE’s: 12 hands on CE credits

Tuition: AMTA Member: $216 | Nonmember: $336

Bring: massage table (for every 2 students), sheets, oil/lotion/cream, anatomy atlas (if have)

More Information: http://ga.wp.amtamassage.org/june-class/

Jul
23
Sat
Active Isolated Stretching – Upper Body 16CEs @ Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta West
Jul 23 @ 8:00 am – Jul 24 @ 5:00 pm
Sep
18
Sun
Evidence Informed Clinical Cupping @ Atlanta School of Massage
Sep 18 @ 8:00 am – Sep 19 @ 5:00 pm

This course will cover techniques useful for treating patients who have a variety of musculoskeletal disorders. We explore the contribution that Cupping Therapy can have on a patient’s pain symptoms and movement restrictions, and how these treatments might serve to alleviate those symptoms. As an evidence-informed approach, research and western physiology will be investigated to give a therapist a current understanding of how it works and how it can be communicated with clients.

Location: Atlanta School of Massage

Dates: September 18th and 19th (Sunday and Monday)

Time: 8 am to 5 pm.

Required: You will need a massage table, sheets (suggest two sets), and a product for massage.

Cups will be provided for use in class. Cups are also available for purchase onsite.

Light snacks and water will be provided.

$100 (Members)   $150 (non-Members)

Feb
18
Sat
2023 Annual Chapter Convention @ Hilton Garden Inn Atlanta West
Feb 18 @ 9:00 am – Feb 19 @ 5:00 pm

We’ve missed you! Come Learn and Grow with Us!

Registration is open for The Full Experience: A Phenomenal Class, Annual Meeting, Meet & Greet, and Motivational Speech.

This year’s featured 12 CE Hands-on class is presented by Cindy E. Farrar on TMJD called “It Ain’t All In Your Head”

Sink your teeth into this hands-on class that presents the treatment of TMJ-related pain and tension from a holistic perspective. We will review and address relevant cranial and anteriolateral neck muscles as well as the specific muscles of mastication. In addition, we will explore the fascial lines with an emphasis on the pelvic girdle, diaphragm, and iliopsoas. After receiving the applications presented in this class, your clients will experience ‘jaw-dropping’ session results.

Students will demonstrate:
• Knowledge of TMJ musculoskeletal anatomy
• Understanding of TMJD
• Knowledge of TMJ treatment considerations
• Proficiency in
o client assessment regarding the TMJD implications
o treating the TMJ structure
o addressing the muscles of the pelvic girdle, diaphragm, iliopsoas
• Comprehension of the complementary fascial applications
• Basic understanding of accessory applications

$120 for AMTA Members! (Non-member rates available)

Register Today

  • Nominate Here!

    Posted:Saturday, November 19, 2022


    Acknowledge Outstanding Members

    AMTA Georgia Chapter wants to celebrate the accomplishments of individuals whose enthusiasm and leadership have earned our highest […]

  • Cupping CE Series

    Posted:Friday, September 22, 2023


    Discover how to integrate cupping techniques into your massage therapy practice.
    Cupping therapy has been known to help relieve pain and ease the symptoms of chronic conditions such as arthritis, GI disorders,…

  • Massage CE for Pain Relief

    Posted:Wednesday, September 13, 2023


    Chronic pain is a significant problem in the U.S., affecting more people than diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined. With over 50 million adults experiencing pain every day or on most…

  • The 2023 Legislative Season: Highlights for the Massage Therapy Profession

    Posted:Thursday, July 6, 2023


    With an active legislative season coming to a close, explore how AMTA was involved in advocating for state licensure, massage therapy for pain management, the Interstate Compact and fighting the reduction…

  • AMTA Participates in Voices for Non-Opioid Choices Seminar

    Posted:Thursday, April 6, 2023


    AMTA recently participated in the all-day seminar, Voices for Non-Opioid Choices: Preventing Opioid Addiction in America to highlight the role of massage therapy and other integrative services in helping address the…