Research

Massage Envy believes that scientific, viable research on the benefits of massage therapy and bodywork is vital to the future growth and acceptance of the massage therapy profession. To date, Massage Envy has donated a total of $30,000 to the Massage Therapy Foundation and Touch Research Institute to aid in the development and facilitation of research programs.

MASSAGE THERAPY FOUNDATION

Mission

The Massage Therapy Foundation advances the knowledge and practice of massage therapy by supporting scientific research, education and community service.

Guiding Principles

The Foundation commits to:

• Upholding the principles of philanthropy
• Contributing to the understanding and appreciation of massage therapy
• Increasing the Foundation’s influence, credibility and visibility in health and wellness
• Sustaining the Foundation’s organizational effectiveness
• Fostering the spirit of collaboration

Goals

• Advance research on therapeutic massage and bodywork
• Foster massage therapy initiatives that serve populations in need
• Promote research literacy and capacity in the profession
• Support the evidence-informed practice of therapeutic massage and bodywork based upon available research, client factors and practitioner experience and judgment
• Fortify the Foundation’s financial resources and organizational effectiveness

History

The Massage Therapy Foundation was founded by AMTA in 1990 with the mission of bringing the benefits of massage therapy to the broadest spectrum of society through the generation, dissemination, and application of knowledge in this field. We do this by receiving donations and granting funds for research, community service, educational initiatives and conferences. We also do this by providing direct consultation to the medical and research communities and by educating massage therapists about the world of research.

For more information visit their web site http://www.massagetherapyfoundation.org/

THE TOUCH RESEARCH INSTITUTE

The Touch Research Institute was formally established in 1992 by Director Tiffany Field, Ph.D. at the University of Miami School of Medicine, via a start-up grant from Johnson & Johnson. The TRI was the first center in the world devoted solely to the study of touch and its application in science and medicine.

The TRI distinguished team of researchers, representing Duke, Harvard, Maryland and other universities, strive to better define touch as it promotes health and contributes to the treatment of disease. Research efforts that began in 1982 and continue today have shown that touch therapy has numerous beneficial effects on health and well-being.

For more information, visit www.miami.edu/touch-research