In addition to celebrating Massage Is for EveryBody Week each July, ABMP works to celebrate massage all year long through guiding principles that demonstrate the nature of this healing, inclusive work. The winners of this year’s essay contest were selected based on the ways in which they personify these guiding principles. Thank you to everyone who participated in the campaign. Massage Week 2025 will be July 20–26.

When the Job Is Done: Being Present for Clients in Hospice

Some of my clients and I will never speak to one another. I will provide a good number of them their very first massage, just months or even weeks before their deaths. In their own homes and in facilities, as they lie in beds and sit in recliners, my job is a unique one among the hospice team I work on: to meet people where they are and use my hands to try and help soothe their uncomfortable symptoms and increase comfort.   

Much has been studied and written about on the profound need we have as children to be held, swaddled, rocked, and bounced. But there’s far less attention given to the importance of human contact when the end of our lives comes into clearer view—a topic that understandably makes many of us uncomfortable. 

I feel strongly that massage should be widely available in hospice programs. In the same way we use touch to connect with babies and children, the goal when providing massage to the dying is to attune our movements and pressure to the person before us, which I think of as a deep form of listening. Hospice patients may have spent years in and out of health-care environments where even very necessary tests and procedures can result in lingering pain and discomfort. 

Massage, when you really stop to consider it, deserves to be understood well beyond the confines of an indulgent self-care modality for those with the means to afford it. Humans require touch from the start of life, and for those requesting it in their final days, providing access to massage is both humane and loving.  

Eliminating Price Barriers to Massage for Underserved Communities

There are so many interesting ways to increase accessibility to this work! I’m the cofounder of a worker-owned collective of massage therapists that is reshaping how pricing and accessibility works in the wellness world. Our therapists make themselves available for some cost-free and sliding-scale sessions each week, which they are paid for. We’ve done real work around removing the stigma attached with seeking cost-free work. Clients aren’t required to prove hardship. They sign up with a simple form that lets them name what they’re able to pay. And they’re much more likely to re-engage with the program when they learn that our workers are being compensated for this time.   

Building these systems and asking our workers and clients alike to reimagine what’s possible has opened our space up to people who would never be able to access this work otherwise. It’s truly been a gift to be able to offer this time to these clients who have been so grateful to engage with our program. And doing the labor of incorporating systems that ensure our workers get paid for this time is what will keep it sustainable.  

Helping Fellow Refugees Use Massage to Address the Physical and Emotional Scars of War

I am Anastasiia, a massage therapist from Ukraine. I arrived in Minnesota last year seeking refuge from the war. In Ukraine, massage therapy is an integral part of health care, widely recognized for its profound impact on both physical and emotional well-being. However, I was surprised to discover that massage therapy in the US is often considered a luxury rather than a necessity. Insurance coverage is limited, and the out-of-pocket costs can be prohibitive for many, especially those new to the country and struggling to make ends meet. 

Now, I work at Hands on Health Family Chiropractic in Apple Valley and in my free time, I help my fellow refugees who came to the US with physical and emotional scars of war. I witnessed the transformative power of massage therapy in helping them cope with posttraumatic stress disorder, ease anxiety and depression, and restore a sense of calm amidst the upheaval. 

I envision a community of massage therapists united in our mission to serve these underserved populations. For those who have experienced trauma, massage therapy can be a powerful tool for recovery. By creating a safe and supportive space, massage therapists can help clients reconnect with their bodies, process difficult emotions, and reduce physical tension associated with trauma. The human touch can be incredibly healing, fostering a sense of safety and trust that is essential for emotional healing. 

I dream of establishing a haven where individuals can come together to learn, share, and receive the transformative power of massage, a space where massage therapists can volunteer their skills to those in need, and where community members can learn self-massage techniques to enhance their own well-being. I work to ensure that massage therapy is accessible to everybody, regardless of their circumstances.  

“You Have Massaged a Prayer in My Body”

I started my massage career late in life. I have been a certified massage practitioner volunteer since I finished massage school in Oakland in 2012. I have done chair massages in San Francisco in the Tenderloin (homeless and marginalized district) with the organization Care Through Touch. I am now 79 years old and still loving my massage ministry! One client who had lost his husband and was crying as I finished his chair massage said, “I feel like you have massaged a prayer in my body.” Another said, “This is indeed a spiritual experience!” Another regular client said, “I don’t come to Hospitality House for the massage, I come for the relationship, conversation, and the attention and love I receive.” 

Another wonderful experience was doing foot massages in the spring on Holy Thursday. What a privilege and blessing to be able to give loving touch to so many people who could otherwise never afford any kind of positive caring touch. They have no community support system. 

I have a whole plethora of stories to tell. I have since moved to the Midwest and I am now doing massages for the Sisters at our Mother House (a whole different clientele). They come to the massage room on foot or with their walkers, and for the ones who can’t leave their rooms because of physical limitations, I massage them in their easy chairs, or beds, or walkers. Do they deserve a massage? Of course they do. They have been of service to other people all of their religious lives!  

So Much More than Their Illness: Supporting Kids in Pediatric Hospice 

I currently serve as a massage therapist on the Pediatric Hospice and Palliative Care team at By the Bay Health, a UCSF-affiliated nonprofit home health organization based in Northern California. With 18 years of experience in massage therapy, this role has been an incredible opportunity to grow as both a clinician and a human. I get to connect with kids and their caregivers through skilled touch and therapeutic presence, improving access and enhancing quality of life for groups that have been marginalized and minoritized by our health-care system.   

Massage truly is for everybody, which is an impactful message to share with the families I serve, as well as with the other clinicians on the multidisciplinary team on which I collaborate. After numerous hours of training in hospital-based and oncology massage within three hospital systems, I am comfortable with adapting massage elements to meet a wide variety of medical conditions and needs. 

Many of the kids I work with are living with a long list of symptoms and complicated health histories that include multiple hospitalizations, severe neurological impairment, global developmental delay, and reliance on medical technologies to sustain their lives. While that may seem intimidating and daunting to some, I encourage everyone to remember that these young people are so much more than their illnesses. They have their own unique preferences, opinions, and stories to tell, no matter the extent of their needs and the amount of time they have left to live.   

My service to these kids and their families is not about fixing anything. It’s about showing up and creating (what I hope is) a brief respite in the midst of their day with emphasis on fun, comfort, and relaxation, all of which can have a positive effect on symptom management and psychosocial support.  

Helping Veterans Find a Healing Path Through Massage

As the owner of The Body Spa & Cryo in Rapid City, South Dakota, and a seasoned massage therapist with 20 years of experience, I have dedicated significant effort to providing care to those who have selflessly served our country. Through a vital collaboration with our local Veterans Affairs office, we’ve established a program that consistently delivers over 200 massages monthly to veterans. This initiative ensures veterans have access to alternative treatments beyond traditional pain management medications.    

Our approach is holistic, focusing not only on alleviating physical ailments but also on combating psychological challenges like depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder, which are prevalent among veterans. We educate our therapists extensively in trauma care to ensure they are equipped to handle the specific needs of this group, fostering a therapeutic environment that promotes trust and healing.    

Furthermore, The Body Spa & Cryo extends its wellness services to local law enforcement, recognizing the strenuous nature of their duties. Our wellness program for police officers emphasizes the necessity of self-care, aiding in their recovery and resilience, which is crucial for their daily responsibilities.

My personal connection to this cause runs deep, influenced by my husband’s experiences as a combat veteran. This connection has driven my commitment to developing a practice that not only supports physical health but also acknowledges and nurtures the mental well-being of our heroes. By integrating massage therapy into veterans’ recovery programs, we offer a compassionate alternative to pain medication, providing a pathway to improved health and wellness that honors their service and sacrifices.  

Embrace the Weight: Compassionate Touch for EveryBody  

Since I was a kid, I’ve been overweight, and that has affected my self-esteem so much. I felt I didn’t deserve anything because I was overweight and that all the self-care things are for skinny people. Flash-forward to the first massage I ever had, which was the worst one I’ve experienced—I felt so uncomfortable and embarrassed of my body. Just so much went wrong during it, but that made me think of all the people like me that have experienced the same thing . . . or haven’t because they are too scared to even put themselves in that situation. So, I was then on a mission to make people like me feel good.       

After a while, I decided to go to massage school, but let me tell you, I was absolutely terrified of everyone else in my class seeing my body. But that first week, my massage school instructor made it clear we would not make fun or judge anyone’s body no matter what they look like because everyone deserves and needs massage. And that changed my perspective so much. Massage became a safe place for me.       

When I got my license, I was determined to make people feel good in their skin. I’ve had the opportunity to give lots of people their first massage, and most of these people are overweight. So many of them apologize for something about their body, but I like to reassure them that it doesn’t matter to me. All bodies deserve massage no matter what they look like. I continue to show my community love and help them be able to love the body that they have.  

Donating Massage and Creating Community 

I’m the owner of Therapeutic Massage of NoCo in Fort Collins, Colorado, and this year for Massage Is for EveryBody Week, I held a contest in which I encouraged entrants to nominate a person they felt really needed a massage who didn’t have access to one for whatever reason. The prizes were a one-hour massage with me, two hours of chair massage in their office or their facility or event, and three half-hour massages for three randomly selected people who had nominated others for the grand prizes. 

I’m happy to say that the grand-prize winner was a person new to Fort Collins who didn’t have much of a support system and is in a really physically demanding job; I’m so happy to serve them. The second prize winner was for a mental health connection facility that helps people access mental health services who otherwise don’t have access to them and can’t afford them, regardless of their income, their gender, their race. These people are there, serving the community, so I’m super excited to be serving them. And for the people who nominated others that I selected at random, as we know, people who like to help others often aren’t so great at taking care of themselves, so I’m really happy to provide these half-hour massages for them. I really wanted to do this because Fort Collins was there for me when I moved here just two and a half years ago, grief-stricken, from Philadelphia, and needed to start over.

Inclusion in Senior Care: Massage for Elderly LGBTQ+ Clients

As a new massage therapist, I remember feeling intimidated when working with elderly clients. I worried about assessing contraindications properly and providing the best quality of touch for sensitive tissue. Now, I work exclusively with seniors at a retirement community known for its support and inclusion of LGBTQ+ members—over 10 percent—and it has become the most rewarding position in my massage career.   

My senior clients inspire me with their engagement in life, perseverance, and kindness, and our work has made me a better and more sensitive massage therapist. Honoring the healing role of a practitioner in an elderly community has involved grounding my practice in three principles: slow down, take care, and communicate. While these values apply to any population, they hold special meaning when working with elders.   

“Slow down” means attuning to my clients’ pace by honoring the time they need to share their health history and concerns, move through the space, and transition after a session. It is common for seniors to move more slowly, and they deserve a patient, unrushed practitioner. “Take care” means addressing each client’s unique issues and offering empathy and gentleness. Elders often deal with multiple, difficult health challenges, and our touch and presence can offer crucial social nourishment they might lack due to loss or living alone. Lastly, communication with my senior clients involves ensuring the ideal pressure, encouraging them to voice their needs regardless of norms of “politeness” they may have grown up with, and accommodating those with hearing difficulties.   

As a bisexual woman in a world that was so difficult and unwelcoming to the older generations of LGBTQ+ people, it is deeply rewarding to play a healing role in a community that supports the thriving of LGBTQ+ elders.  

Solace Amid the Pain: Working with Clients Affected by Suicide

I never expected to receive a phone call from a high school friend letting me know that her sister Liz, who was part of my high school cohort (and elementary school volleyball rival), had suddenly passed away. Liz was pursuing a double master’s degree at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden when she tragically succumbed to her struggles with major depressive disorder and died by suicide. 

Since her passing, I have worked with family members and friends of those who have experienced a suicide death. This issue is profoundly complex, and I have found that touch can be an invaluable source of healing. Surviving friends and family members often grapple with feelings of guilt, despair, and confusion. I have observed that massage therapy can provide significant benefits for those coping with the loss of a loved one to suicide.

When a new client entrusts me with their story, as well as the story of their loved one, I create a safe and supportive environment where they can grieve, express emotions, and gain insights. In this space, clients are free to cry, release tension, and find restorative rest. Massage serves as a powerful outlet for release, helping to alleviate anxiety, depression, and grief. The power of physical touch promotes relaxation and reduces stress, fostering a sense of connection and comfort. The session allows a client to experience the soothing effects of massage, creating a vital opportunity for them to find solace amid their pain. I am grateful to have known Liz, and because of her, I now have the opportunity to help others find solace in the midst of their sorrow. 

Read “Massage is for Everybodyguiding principles” and previous essays winners at abmp.com/massage-week-awards