Podcast Episode 067: AMTA Convention Part 1
In this Post: In Episode 067: AMTA Convention Part 1, Ali and Beca sit down with friend and fellow massage therapist, Ericka Strodtman to discuss their biggest takeaways.
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Episode 067: AMTA Convention Part 1
We went to the AMTA National Convention in Denver!
In this episode, Ali and Beca are joined by massage therapist and longtime friend Ericka Strodtman, who had already logged a full day of convention before the other two even arrived. The three of them sat down to talk about their first impressions, favorite discoveries and things that made them think.
From massage tables and swag to SOAP notes, malpractice, insurance, and whether massage therapy really needs to become part of the traditional healthcare system…there’s a lot to unpack.
In this episode, we talk about:
First impressions of AMTA Convention
Beca is experiencing convention for the first time, while Ali is back for round two. We talk about the organization, the energy, and the opening speaker, Jess Ekstrom, whose story and energy set the tone for the whole convention.
Getting as many massages as possible
Beca discovered one of the greatest perks of convention: free massage from the vendors in the Expo Hall. She took full advantage.
The hunt for the perfect massage cream
Ericka was on a mission to replace a favorite product that was discontinued. She found Pain Relief Ointment by Myco Clinic, which checks all her boxes: turmeric, ginger, and arnica, plus a good glide and the ability to use it with cupping.
What do your clients actually know about their surgeries?
Ali shares a takeaway from a hip and knee class that sparks a conversation about how much clients understand about what actually happens during surgery.
We talk about informed clients, athletes, regional differences, shopping for surgeons, and how much we should expect our clients to know about their own bodies.
Does massage therapy need better critical-thinking skills?
One instructor makes a statement that really sticks with Ali:
“If we as a profession want to become more mainstream, our critical thinking skills need to improve.”
That leads to a bigger conversation about education, curiosity, and the role of critical thinking in moving massage therapy forward as a profession.
SOAP notes and malpractice
Beca takes a malpractice class and comes away with one very strong message: take your SOAP notes!!!
We talk about why documentation matters, what happens when you don’t have access to a place to take notes, working in spas, independent contractors, insurance claims, and how long malpractice cases can take to resolve.
Should massage therapy become part of the healthcare system?
AMTA is working toward greater integration of massage therapy into healthcare. But is that actually what massage therapists want?
We talk about:
- The potential benefits of greater legitimacy within healthcare.
- The downsides of insurance-based massage.
- How insurance can influence the way massage is delivered.
- Why some practitioners may choose not to participate.
- The administrative burden of insurance billing.
- Whether insurance will ever become the norm for massage therapists.
- Alternative models for making holistic healthcare more accessible.
- The possibility of cooperative or multidisciplinary healthcare spaces.
A few takeaways to think about:
- Are you taking adequate SOAP notes?
- How much do your clients understand about their own bodies and procedures?
- Do you want massage therapy to become more integrated into traditional healthcare?
This is Part 1 of our AMTA Convention conversation. There’s more to come!
🎧 Listen in and join the conversation.
Have something coming up in your treatment room? A boundary question, ethical tangle, or aha moment? Send us a message! We may feature your topic in a future Break Room Banter episode.