Business Details
36 Years
experience
Advancing Massage Therapy Through Research and Education
Founded in 1990, we are a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to advancing massage therapy through scientific research, education, and community service. Our mission focuses on evidence-informed practice, supported by over $1 million in research grants awarded since inception. We publish the profession's only open-access peer-reviewed journal and maintain MassageNet Practice-based Research Network to bridge clinical practice and academic study. Collaborating with the American Massage Therapy Association, we prioritize research literacy programs to help practitioners apply scientific findings effectively.Our community service initiatives have distributed over $500,000 in global grants serving underserved populations while documenting health disparities. Guided by principles of philanthropy and collaboration, we maintain organizational effectiveness through strategic partnerships and transparent financial stewardship.
Services
Research Grants
Educational Programs
Community Service Grants
MassageNet PBRN
Academic Publishing
Details
- Year established: 1990
Highlights and features
- Awarded over $1 million in massage therapy research grants since 1990
- Publishers of the profession's only open-access peer-reviewed journal
- Administer global community service grants reaching underserved populations
- Maintain MassageNet Practice-based Research Network for real-world data
- Offer research literacy programs for evidence-informed clinical practice
Services
Research Grants
We fund rigorous scientific studies examining massage therapy's efficacy across various health conditions. Our grants support researchers investigating therapeutic applications for chronic pain, neurological disorders, and rehabilitation contexts. Recipients gain access to professional networks and publication opportunities in our peer-reviewed journal.
Educational Programs
Our research literacy initiatives train practitioners to interpret and apply scientific findings in clinical settings. We offer specialized courses for educators and maintain an open-access journal containing practitioner-friendly research summaries that bridge academic study with hands-on practice requirements.
Community Service Grants
These grants deliver massage therapy services to underserved populations worldwide. We fund projects serving prisoners, disaster victims, and marginalized communities while collecting data about health disparities. The program has distributed over $500,000 to 90+ global initiatives since inception.
MassageNet PBRN
Our Practice-based Research Network connects clinicians with academic researchers to study real-world treatment outcomes. Practitioners contribute anonymized patient data that informs evidence-based protocols while accessing aggregated findings to improve their clinical approaches through practical applications.
Academic Publishing
We publish the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, the profession's leading open-access peer-reviewed publication. The journal features original research studies, systematic reviews, and practitioner-focused summaries that advance evidence-informed practice standards globally.
Questions
What is the Massage Therapy Foundation's primary mission?
We advance massage therapy through scientific research funding, educational programs promoting evidence-informed practice, and community service grants expanding therapy access for underserved populations.
How does MTF support massage therapy research?
We award research grants studying therapeutic massage efficacy, maintain MassageNet PBRN for real-world data collection, and publish peer-reviewed research findings in our open-access journal.
Can practitioners access research resources?
Yes, we offer research literacy courses and publish practitioner-friendly summaries of scientific studies to help clinicians apply evidence-based approaches in their practice.
How are community service grants utilized?
These funds deliver massage therapy to underserved populations globally, with past projects serving prisoners, disaster victims, and marginalized communities while documenting health disparities.
What educational opportunities exist for massage therapists?
We provide research literacy training programs, maintain an open-access academic journal, and offer specialized educational resources for both practicing therapists and instructors.
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