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As a textbook author it is necessary for me to be able to accurately make educated guesses about the future of massage. The revision cycle for textbooks is typically four years. This means that not only do I have to capture the current massage content but also write to the future. The next ten years I believe will hold promise for the development of agreed upon professional and practice standards and maybe even a definition of massage. If the profession is diligent and transparent and inclusive, we may even agree on terminology. I also believe that standardization through legislation (license and registration ) will be the norm.

The most important aspect of the future is research in some key areas. We need to understand the underlying physical mechanisms for the benefits of massage. Since massage can simply be explained as applied mechanical force to the soft tissues of the body, we need to know what happens as the body processes this type of stimulus. The mechanical forces are sensed through many different processes such as various mechanoreceptors but there is more to it. The autonomic nervous system and endocrine systems and the various neurochemical and hormones some how are influenced. Is it the rhythm, the duration, the stimulating of primitive reflexes such as the righting reflex that results in the massage benefits? Certainly the new emphasis on research on the connective tissues of the body will potentially answer some of the questions. We still do not understand the influence of water movement and changes in pressure in the body but it appears that massage can influence fluid movement. There are so many questions and maybe the next ten years will reveal some of the answers.

The profession also needs to understand the nature of the therapeutic relationship and the benefits of massage. Preliminary research has been done (Christopher Moyer) indicating that intention and a sense of connectiveness are influencing factors in reducing certain types of anxiety. We need to understand the interplay between the more concrete effects from shifts in neuro and endocrine chemicals and the more elusive qualities of connection and compassion.

The massage profession desperately needs to study how to ergonomically do massage so that individuals are not burning out in a few years because of neck, shoulder, wrist, hand , low back and knee pain. We need to find objective professionals outside of massage to help us know how to give a massage. We think we know what we are doing but the truth is no one truly understands bodymechanics.

Education will increase and technology will influence the delivery of that education. There are things that can be learned in a web based format but certainly not the essence of massage. I believe that as technology supports increased communication, without being face to face, people will need the touch of massage even more. The profession needs standards for teachers.

I have just reorganized the curriculum at my school (Health Enrichment Center in Michigan) to prepare my graduates for the next five to ten years. One of my goals is to teach the next generation of teachers. I will be able to at least mentor a few. The areas I mentioned are incorporated in those changes. I hired my own ergonomic engineer, I support research and influence the ideas of an agreed upon base of terminology and best practices. If I did not believe that the future of massage was bright I would not waste my time. I also know deep in my soul that as the massage profession matures it must change and while it will likely be messy it will end up better.

Health Enrichment Center School of Therapeutic Massage