• Read articles on the benefits of aromatherapy in bodywork association journals.Aromatherapy image by MAXFX from Fotolia.com
  
  Bodywork associations are organizations that provide support to students and professionals employed or working independently as massage therapists. Associations provide members with professional advice, business protection through liability insurance, career information, continuing education and networking opportunities. There are thee national and one international bodywork association: the American Massage Therapy Association, the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals, the National Association of Massage Therapists and the International Association of Animal Massage and Bodywork.
  
  

American Massage Therapy Association

• Stock your massage treatment room with discounted products purchased through association membership.massage room image by Dragan Trifunovic from Fotolia.com
  
  Based in Illinois, the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) was founded as a nonprofit professional organization in 1943. The association has more than 56,000 members, as of October 2010, and offers student and professional memberships, liability insurance, continuing education, networking opportunities through an annual conference and a professional journal. The association also offers members a professional listing on its website for consumers seeking therapists.
  
  

Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals

• Learn reflexology (foot massage) from continuing-education providers through bodywork association membership.Fussmassage image by Daniel T. Seebacher from Fotolia.com
  
  Based in Colorado, Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP) was founded in 1987. The World Massage Festival recognized the organization as Massage Association of the Year for two consecutive years in 2009 and 2010. The association's membership exceeds 70,000 members, as of October 2010. The association offers a professional journal that feature articles of interest to bodywork students and professionals. The association's website provides relevant, industry-specific information to the public regarding the benefits of massage therapy.
  
  

National Association of Massage Therapists

• Realize your dream of luxury spa ownership using the tools and support a bodywork association provides.luxury marina & spa image by FotoWorx from Fotolia.com
  
  The National Association of Massage Therapists, formerly known as the International Massage Association, was founded in 1994 by massage teacher Will Green. The association was created to assist Green's massage therapy students in protecting their finances after a former student was sued and lost her practice when a client tripped and fell at her facility. Green knew that liability insurance could prevent the same thing from happening to other students. The National Association of Massage Therapists has a membership of 70,000 as of October 2010. Student and professional-level memberships are offered, as well as liability insurance for both; the association also provides member business websites.
  
  

International Association of Animal Massage and Bodywork

• Equine massage therapy, a popular field for horse lovers, is supported by the IAAMB.cooling off image by Clarence Alford from Fotolia.com
  
  The International Association of Animal Massage and Bodywork (IAAMB) differs from the other organizations in that it supports members whose clients are animals instead of humans. The association promotes the development of animal bodywork as a profession while attempting to expand standards of practice for animal massage therapists nationwide. The association's website provides listings of schools offering animal bodywork courses and offers networking opportunities, liability insurance for student and professional members, and a member newsletter. In January 2010, the association welcomed the Association of Canine Water Therapy as one of the professional bodywork practices it supports.