Limited availability: Secure your place at the Conference today!

Registrations for the upcoming Conference on 18-19 May are filling up rapidly! Don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity! We are eager to welcome you this May for an enriching experience filled with insights that can improve your skills as a massage therapist, remedial massage therapist or myotherapist as well as provides excellent networking opportunities. Act now to make sure you participate in this important event! For more details and to register, please click here. We look forward to seeing you there.

2024 National Conference Sponsors and Exhibitors

Massage & Myotherapy Australia are delighted to welcome the sponsors and exhibitors for the upcoming 2024 National Conference. Attendees at the 2024 National Conference will have multiple opportunities to meet with exhibitors to keep up-to-date with the latest industry trends and products. You can find out more about the sponsors by clicking here and more about the exhibitors by clicking here

Massage & Myotherapy Journal Autumn 2024 issue now available online

Articles in the 2024 Autumn issue of Massage & Myotherapy Journal are now available online to all members and Journal subscribers via the Massage & Myotherapy Journal Library. Articles in this issue include: 24 member benefits in ’24; What you need to know if you have never attended Conference; ‘Motion is lotion’ with Erik Dalton; and more.

'Effects of Massage Therapy on Pain, Anxiety, and Tension in Cancer Patients: A Randomised Controlled Trial'

Originally published in 2023, this research is available in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. The study evaluates the impact of massage therapy on alleviating pain, anxiety, and tension among cancer patients. It employed a randomised controlled trial methodology to ensure reliability and validity of the findings. Results indicated significant improvements in patient-reported pain and anxiety levels post-treatment, suggesting that massage therapy can be an effective complementary treatment for symptom management in oncology care settings. You can access the study directly from the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, or by clicking here.

Building a culture of cyber safety in small businesses

‘Cyber Wardens’ has recently completed extensive dialogues with over 2,000 small business owners and employees, capturing a wide spectrum of perspectives that range from startups to well-established enterprises, encompassing diverse demographics and industries across both urban and rural regions. The culmination of these discussions has led to the publication of the groundbreaking study, ‘Building a Culture of Cyber Safety in Australian Small Businesses’. This research highlights the varying levels of cyber safety awareness, concerns, and preparedness among small businesses. It reveals that while some are at the forefront, actively engaging with and implementing cyber security measures, many remain unaware of the potential threats and are unprepared for cyber challenges. Members are encouraged to download and explore the insights from this research to better understand and fortify your practices against cyber threats. Click here to review the research.

Cyberwardens – Free online resources and education

As a small business owner, contractor or employee you have a responsibility to protect your clients’ personal information. Cyber Wardens is an initiative of the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) to help support Australian small businesses lock their digital doors. Massage & Myotherapy Australia has organised for members to access this free digital cyber security course, to help you activate simple ways to protect yourself and your clients. To learn more and to sign up for this free resource, click here.

Changes to Australian Unity receipting

Australian Unity no longer require members to contact them directly to receive unique provider numbers for new clinics. In future, receipts for clients with Australian Unity will need to provide a minimum of three identifiers on the account/receipt to identify the provider. Identifiers must include the provider’s name and practice location and any one of the following:

• provider number – i.e. AAMT12345 (where 12345 is your member number)
• phone number
• practice name
• association number
• ABN.

If you have already received a unique provider number from Australian Unity for any of your active clinics, please continue to use those same provider numbers as before. Member details will continue to be administered to Australian Unity on the 10th and 24th of the month.

Private Health Fund Guide – update

Massage & Myotherapy Australia has updated the Private Health Fund Guide document. To download the updated Private Health Fund Guide please click here.

Medibank lists delayed

Medibank are currently experiencing delays in processing Association Private Health Fund lists. If you experience delays with Medibank, please advise your clients accordingly that they will be able to back claim once lists are processed.

– ADVERTISEMENT –

The benefits of mental health first aid for health providers
Have you considered mental health first aid (MHFA) training? Mental Health First Aid can assist in enhancing therapists’ ability to recognise and respond to mental health issues, as well as build confidence in managing mental health conversations and supporting early intervention. By empowering massage therapists, remedial massage therapists and myotherapists with these skills, MHFA training helps create a supportive, stigma-free environment and upholds the highest professional standards in healthcare. Members are eligible to claim 10 CPE Points for completing a course, for more information please click here.

Massage & Myotherapy Australia and Cuppa

The Association has once again partnered up with Cuppa to provide members with resources to enhance their business and personal development, please see below open book discussions and learn from experts in their field, click the link for more information and to register for this free online resources.

Escaping the patterns of self–sabotage with Dr Richard Hogan Ever found yourself on the cusp of something brilliant, only to inexplicably take actions that seem to throw you two steps back? Welcome to the perplexing world of self-sabotage, where it’s your own mind playing the unlikely villain in your success story. In a revealing chat on Cuppa.tv  with Dr Richard Hogan, author of 'Home is Where the Start Is', we ventured into the depths of this self-defeating behaviour. Richard's insights illuminate the intricate web of thoughts leading us down this spiral. For more information, please click here.		Paperback Therapy - Tools for Mastering Your Mental Health with Tammi Miller Therapy is a tool most of us wish we could use, but sometimes life or financial stress gets in the way of access; and taking care of our mental health is something most of us could focus more on. With tools and advice from certified practising counsellor and author of Paperback Therapy, Tammi Miller, living according to personal values, breaking unhealthy habits, and managing anxiety, among other aspects of mental health are at your fingertips. Wednesday 15 May 2024 Click here for more information .

From the Editor

As we sprint through the middle of 2024, it’s the perfect moment to pause and reflect on the exciting opportunities that lie ahead for our community. Firstly, let's talk about our upcoming National Conference. It’s the biggest industry event in Australia for our massage and myotherapy world! Attending the conference is a brilliant way for you to connect with fellow therapists, learn new techniques, and hear about the latest industry trends and research. It's also a great chance to earn CPE points, as well as the opportunity to check out products that can transform your practice! Education is the backbone of our profession, and continuing to learn and grow is essential. Lastly, reaching this midpoint of the year is a milestone. It's a reminder of what we've achieved and what’s still on the horizon: whether it's enhancing our skill set, expanding our networks, or simply taking time to reflect on our personal and professional growth. So, let’s gear up for an exciting second half of the year. We can’t wait to see you at the Conference. Here’s to making the rest of 2024 truly phenomenal.

Dan Lambrou, Editor

Want to get involved in your Association?
Why not join a National Committee
Joining a committee is an excellent way to get started. We currently have vacancies on three National Committees: Audit and Risk Committee, Ethics Committee and the Education Committee. Each committee has its own Terms of Reference, and the role of the National Committees is to advise and make recommendations to the Board. If you would like more information on becoming a committee member and participating in the Association’s future and growth, please email here.

• The National Audit and Risk Committee

The Association observes high standards for financial reporting and governance and responsibilities include (but not exclusively) monitoring, investigating, and making recommendations to the Board with respect to external reporting, internal control and risk management, auditing and governance, and developing and reviewing documentation. Applicants with a background in finance, auditing or risk management are preferred. Terms of Reference and National Committee Guidelines are available on expression of interest. This is a non-executive position and is therefore unpaid.

• The National Ethics Committee

Ethical practice is of significant importance and competent therapists require a strong foundation on which ethical, clinical and moral decisions can be made. Responsibilities include (but not exclusively) management of ethical matters, development and review of ethics education, development and review of documentation, and review of ethical matters. Terms of Reference and National Committee Guidelines are available on expression of interest. This is a non-executive position and is therefore unpaid.

• The National Education Committee

The National Education Committee is important in the role to indentify and inform the Association's input into the Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council's review of the Health Training Package. It also approves accredited providers of Continuing Professional Education for the Endorsed Education Activities Program, develops policies for the Association's Continuing Professional Education Program, and creates policy and position papers for members' use. Terms of Reference and National Committee Guidelines are available on expression of interest. This is a non-executive position and is therefore unpaid.

Your postal address registration with Massage & Myotherapy Australia

Please note that members’ postal address CANNOT be a shopping centre address. Please ensure your correct postal address is kept up to date so you will receive the Association’s quarterly Journal. Login to the Association website and select ‘update details’ or email us.