General Organization

AMTA’s History of Advancing the Massage Therapy Profession for 60+ Years

On August 16, 1943, the postgraduate class of the College of Swedish Massage in Chicago met in an open forum and decided to form a new professional association. At that meeting, the purpose of the new association was created as a Pledge, which was signed by 29 Charter Members. The basis of the Pledge was a commitment to service, ethical practice and the massage therapy profession. Dues of 50 cents were collected.

By 1946, the American Association of Masseurs and Masseuses (AAMM) had grown to 68 members, and a more formal organization was developed. A constitution and bylaws were adopted at the first AAMM National Convention held in August 1946 in Kansas City, Missouri. The document stated, “The purpose of this association is to foster the spirit of cooperation, the exchange of ideas and techniques among its members, and to advance the science of massage so as to merit the respect and confidence of all people, and benefit mankind.”

About this time association membership adopted an emblem consisting of the initials AAMM separated by a cross and enclosed in a circle. In 1949, this emblem was made available to members on a decal, designed to be placed in a window to identify professional massage therapists. There was also a newsletter, The Masseur, published from 1945 to 1962, which contained information about association activities and educational articles.

About AMTA

The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) represents more than 57,000 massage therapists. AMTA works to establish massage therapy as integral to the maintenance of good health and complementary to other therapeutic processes; to advance the profession through ethics and standards, continuing education, professional publications, legislative efforts, public education, and fostering the development of members.

Massage therapists often ask, “What makes AMTA different?”

AMTA is the only national non-profit association dedicated to serving members and the massage therapy profession. We endorse professional standards and support fair regulation of massage therapy. We actively promote members as the first choice for massage therapy to consumers. We are led by a volunteer Board of Directors elected by the membership at the national and chapter levels. AMTA has been and will continue to be a leader in advancing the massage therapy profession.

Core Ideology - What the Organization Stands For

Mission: To serve AMTA members while advancing the art, science and practice of massage therapy.

Core Values:

We are a diverse and nurturing community working with integrity, honesty and dignity.
We are a nonprofit member-driven organization of ethical professionals.
We embrace excellence in education, service, and leadership.
We endorse professional standards and support fair regulation of massage therapy.
We believe that massage benefits all.

Code of Ethics for Massage Therapists

This Code of Ethics is a summary statement of the standards of conduct that define ethical behavior for the massage therapist. Adherence to the Code is a prerequisite for admission to and continued membership in the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA).

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