History of the AAMM/AM&TA

The history of the American Masseurs Association (A.A.M.M.) and its successor, the American Massage & Therapy Association (A.M.&T.A.), reveals a consistent and evolving effort to elevate massage therapy to a recognized profession, distinctly separating it from illicit activities like sex work. This involved establishing clear standards, promoting education, advocating for state-level regulation, and defining the scope of practice.

Here is a timeline of key events and issues:

1953

• April archive.org:
  • The A.A.M.M. directly addresses the stigmatizing association of massage with sex work under “ATTENTION! ALL ETHICAL MASSAGE PRACTITIONERS.” The association notes police involvement and arrests related to “attractive policewomen” and “unqualified massage operator[s],” asserting its commitment to preventing such activities from bringing “discredit” to the profession.
  • The organization emphasizes that massage operators must be “qualified” and that the public needs protection from “unqualified” practitioners.
  • Legislative efforts are reported in various states aiming to regulate healing arts, physical therapy, and massage through licensing and certification acts to control who can legally practice.
  • A “Judging Committee” is established at conventions, where masseurs and masseuses appear to answer questions, serving as a form of peer review to assess and uphold competence.
• June:
  • Concerns are raised about “cheap certificates” that do not guarantee sufficient learning, indicating a push for more robust and meaningful professional education. Discussions include the need for “minimum standard or qualifications”.
• July:
  • A legal case concerning a masseur (“BILYEUO ALLOWED TO PRACTICE AS MASSEUR”) highlights the legal challenges faced by practitioners without proper credentials, emphasizing the need for legal recognition and compliance to avoid associations with illicit practices.
• September:
  • The A.A.M.M. stresses the importance of graduating from approved massage schools and colleges, advising members to verify institutions’ legitimacy to maintain professional integrity.

1954

• February:
  • The association actively encourages members to contribute to “upgrading the profession” by seeking genuine licensure rather than merely displaying decorative “diplomas or certificates”.
  • Internal questions within the association arise regarding the appropriate professional title for a masseur (e.g., “Doctor”) and the existence of accredited, licensed schools offering degrees in massage, signaling a strong desire for higher educational and professional recognition.
  • An Oregon State Chapter meeting specifically addresses state massage law, reflecting ongoing efforts to legally define and regulate the profession.
• July:
  • A legal case where “BERT STONE ACQUITTED ON MEDIC CHARGE” underscores the ongoing legal battles faced by legitimate masseurs and highlights the association’s role in supporting them against potentially false accusations of illegal practice.
  • The Florida State Convention explicitly states that the state “cannot secure itself against the unqualified” and calls for state legislation to distinguish legitimate massage from other practices, emphasizing the goal to “elevate the profession to a higher level” through approved schools and trained professionals.

1955

• January:
  • The “Schools & College Committee” advocates for a six-month training course as a standardized minimum for massage education, aiming to improve public perception and ensure comprehensive training.
• March:
  • Membership requirements include appearing before a “Judging Committee” at conventions to demonstrate competence and professional conduct, with a diploma from an “outstanding massage school” being a key criterion for recognition.
• May:
  • The “Schools and Colleges” committee formally sanctions and approves specific massage and physical therapy schools, ensuring their curricula and standards align with the association’s goals.
• November:
  • Reports of an A.A.M.M. member (a chiropractor) being arrested for practicing without a license highlight the need for clear legal boundaries and definitions between massage and other healing arts. The emergence of new emergency laws for “Physical Therapist” further indicates increased regulatory attention in related health professions.

1956

• January:
  • The A.A.M.M. issues a statement regarding the Dr. Fox case, clarifying that members must operate legally within their state’s scope of practice and that the association is not responsible for illegal activities, thereby reinforcing its commitment to “qualified” and legal practice.
  • The “Pledge” of the A.A.M.M. requires members to adhere to legal and ethical conduct and actively work to “elevate” the profession.
  • A section titled “Not Business—But Professional Service” explicitly distinguishes legitimate massage from purely commercial or illicit ventures, advocating for a focus on professional conduct.
• July/August:
  • A detailed “ITEMIZATION OF ALL STATES” lists the varied and evolving state laws concerning massage and physical therapy, underscoring the complex regulatory landscape and the association’s interest in establishing unified standards nationwide.
• September/October:
  • News reports on “4 ‘HEALERS’ ARRESTED” for practicing without licenses highlight the ongoing problem of unqualified practitioners and the legal consequences, reinforcing the association’s call for state regulation.
  • The A.A.M.M. advocates for a uniform massage law across the country to protect both legitimate practitioners and the public from unqualified individuals.

1957

• January/February:
  • Reports show that the national association has significantly invested in supporting massage education ($343,000 from 1953-1956), demonstrating a commitment to professional training and standards.
  • The continuous call for “LEGISLATION LIKE PLEAGUE” emphasizes the ongoing need for robust legislative efforts to protect the profession from unqualified practitioners and safeguard the public.
• May/June:
  • The availability of malpractice insurance to all A.A.M.M. members marks a crucial step in legitimizing massage as a recognized and insurable profession.
  • The “Policy of the National American Association of Masseurs and Masseuses” reaffirms the association’s goal to “uphold and promote our profession” by adhering to ethical practices, approving schools, and treating within the “full scope of its possibilities, not conflicting with state law”.

1958

• January/February:
  • The association’s forward-looking statement, “Looking Forward To Our Next National Convention,” articulates a clear objective: to establish massage as a “science and a knowledge” through education and scientific achievement, thereby differentiating it from “charlatans and quackery”.
• March/April:
  • An “IMPORTANT NOTICE!” section details legislative meetings in Oregon focused on state massage law and efforts to distinguish legitimate massage practice from illegitimate activities, reflecting sustained efforts to clarify professional boundaries.
• November/December:
  • The article “The Future As I See It” reinforces the importance of professional progress through scientific achievement and education to combat the negative public perception associated with unqualified practitioners.
  • The association officially changes its name to the American Massage & Therapy Association (A.M.&T.A.), signaling a broader scope and a move towards increased professional recognition.

1959

• January/February:
  • The A.M.&T.A. emphasizes that new members are admitted based on their “character and good citizenship” and professional standing, rather than just membership dues, ensuring a higher caliber of practitioner within the organization.
  • Reports of “S. D. Reflexologists Face Injunctions” highlight ongoing legal actions against practitioners operating beyond their defined scope or without proper authority, indicating continued efforts to clarify professional boundaries.
• March/April:
  • A court case where South Dakota masseurs defend their practice against claims of performing reflexology illustrates the ongoing struggle to define and protect the scope of legitimate massage therapy. Despite these challenges, the profession also receives positive recognition, as noted in “MASSULUS HOLD CLINIC, HEAR PROFESSION LAUDED”.

1960

• January/February:
  • A proposal for “A PROSPECTIVE COLLEGE FOR MASSAGE THERAPY” outlines a curriculum emphasizing scientific, anatomical, and practical training for a legitimate massage college, reinforcing the view of massage as a recognized medical therapy.
• March/April:
  • The A.M.&T.A. underscores the importance of maintaining a list of approved schools and promotes “IDEAS AND PROCEDURES FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE A.M.T.A.,” advocating for open discussion and knowledge sharing to advance the profession.
• May/June:
  • The “CONVENTION KEYNOTES EDUCATION AND INSPIRATION” highlights that proper education and training from approved schools are fundamental to maintaining and elevating professional standards.
• November/December:
  • The article “GOVERNMENT CONTROL” discusses the perceived inevitability and necessity of state regulation to ensure that “massage practitioners must be qualified” and that good practice is maintained within the profession.

1961

• January/February:
  • The prominent display of the “Registered Massage Therapist” emblem serves as a clear visual symbol of professional legitimacy. The President’s Report reiterates the association’s ongoing efforts in legislative work to protect the profession.
• March/April:
  • Ongoing legislative efforts are reported under “MEDICAL DOCTORS VS MASSAGE,” indicating continued work to legally define the scope of massage and ensure practitioners are qualified, thereby distinguishing them from unqualified individuals.
• November/December:
  • The “MEMBERSHIP” section highlights the crucial role of state chapters in screening new members to uphold quality and adherence to established professional standards.

1962

• January/February:
  • Discussions within “The Illinois Chapter” focus on securing an “all-state regulated professional law” for massage, which would include examining boards and set qualifications for practitioners, aiming for comprehensive legal recognition and professional standing across the state.
  • Reports from “Kansas” indicate continued engagement with the state board of healing arts regarding the regulation of massage, demonstrating sustained efforts to formalize the profession.

This timeline illustrates the concerted and continuous efforts by the American Masseurs Association and its successor to build a legitimate, respected profession. It was less about a single entrance exam for the association and more about establishing a robust ecosystem of accredited education, ethical conduct, and legal recognition that would inherently filter out unqualified practitioners and elevate the entire field.

Think of this historical journey as building a strong, reputable university. Instead of having a single, universal entrance exam for all students, the focus was on establishing rigorous departmental standards, ensuring faculty qualifications, and advocating for state accreditation so that any student graduating from that university would automatically be considered qualified and respected in their field. The “entrance” into the profession, and thus membership in the association, became a culmination of these broader efforts.