Nearly 30 years ago, ABMP initiated a week-long celebration of massage for members to have an opportunity to give back to their communities. It was homegrown and heartfelt. Today, that initiative has grown from a celebration of sharing the benefits of massage to bringing hands-on work to communities, preaching the value of self-care for clients and practitioners, and advocating for massage as an important and valued career. “Heartfelt” remains central to it all.
Event and a Mission
The legacy of this annual event remains rooted in a weeklong celebration of massage, this year running July 14–20. From canned food drives to the donation of massage to teachers and first responders, ABMP members have found creative ways to participate over the years. And each practitioner has made a positive impact in their community by doing so.
But one week isn’t enough to celebrate the benefits of massage, which is why ABMP rebranded the celebration in 2021 to have an even bigger impact. Originally coined International Massage Week when first launched in 1995, and then EveryBody Deserves a Massage Week shortly thereafter, ABMP changed the name of this national celebration in 2021 to more aptly reflect a change in vision and philosophy. Now, Massage Is for EveryBody becomes the year-round umbrella under which to frame not only recognition of the work you do but also the significant impact your work has on others.
As part of the refocus, ABMP selects 10 practitioners each year to receive a $1,000 award based on how they embrace one or more of the following guiding principles of the Massage Is for EveryBody campaign.
Because Massage Is for EveryBody, we will:
• Serve as advocates for the physical and emotional benefits of massage and bodywork.
• Advocate for efforts that bring massage and bodywork for all communities.
• Spread awareness of massage and bodywork career options.
• Honor the healing role practitioners play in our communities.
• Emphasize the importance of regular self-care for massage therapists, bodyworkers, and their clients.
Touching Your Communities
What has always been foundational about this event is the joy it inspires. When members tell us their stories each year about the ways they touch their communities, there is always a sense of compassion and purposefulness. And we know that helping others is salve for the soul. It inspires; it fills you up; it brings back an inner purpose. It reminds us we can do more, we can be better, and that living within a framework of gratitude puts a much different light on the world.
Inspiration, $1,000 Award, and Social Media
• Look for opportunities to partner with others in your community to share the benefits of massage and bodywork with those who need it most. Volunteer, donate, raise money, start a campaign, or find your own creative way to give. Check out the ideas curated for you!
abmp.com/massage-week-intro/get-inspired
• Ten practitioners who live and practice the guiding principles of Massage Is for EveryBodywill be awarded $1,000. Submit your story by August 15, 2024. Tell us how you support and celebrate this yearlong initiative by submitting a video (up to 2 minutes) or a written entry (300 words or fewer).
abmp.com/massage-is-for-everybody-awards
• Posters, postcards, and coupons have been created for you to personalize, download, and print, including email and social media images.
abmp.com/massage-for-everybody/documents
• Send a post-event write-up along with any photos to differentstrokes@abmp.com for a chance to be included on our social or blog channels.