Massage Organization Review: ABMP
Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals, Member Benefits & Costs
A review of the costs and benefits of a professional massage organization - the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals for massage therapists and massage schools.
History: ABMP (Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals) is currently the largest massage association in the United States.
Member Benefits: Members of ABMP receive several benefits including business insurance policies, a subscription to the Massage and Bodywork magazine, the Successful Business Handbook guide for massage therapists, a client magazine subscription to Body Sense, published twice a year, access to the members website, which not only has several marketing tools and brochures to personalize, but also has a free website building tool and referral system.
Costs: Professional and Practitioner level memberships are $199 per year, while Certified level memberships are $299 per year. A massage student level membership is also available at the minimal rate of $49 per year.
Number of Members and School Memberships: 61,000 members total. The ABMP also allows schools to carry memberships.
Publications – Type and Frequency:
- Massage and Bodywork magazine – published six times a year, covers a variety of techniques, current massage research and business-building tips specifically targeted to massage therapists and bodywork professionals.
- Different Strokes is a bimonthly members' newsletter that focuses on events and news specifically related to ABMP as an organization.
- Body Sense magazine is a customer magazine designed to create interest in massage and bodywork and it is published twice a year.
- Successful Business Handbook is a single published book designed for new members to coach a therapist into creating a successful massage therapy business.
- Touch Resource Guide is a directory of schools and organizations that provide continuing education hours.
- Massage Marketplace is a yearly publication listing massage, spa and skin care suppliers that often give ABMP member discounts.
Insurance: The insurance policy through ABMP cover members' liability insurance needs as well equipment against theft, fire and other causes of damage.
Members Only Website: The members only portion ABMP's website includes personalized email and website accounts, message boards, marketing tools and customer newsletters massage therapists can personalize, and provides sample forms that many massage therapists need such as intake forms, physician referral forms and much more.
What members are saying:
- Kathy LaFlamme of Fort Smith, Arkansas says, "I chose AMBP for a number of reasons, the most primary was that I was able to get my membership AND professional liability insurance AND P&C insurance for the contents of my office for [less than] I had just been quoted ...for P&C coverage ALONE by a private carrier. That, combined with the wealth of information and resources on their website, sold me!As for improvements, I really have no suggestions at this time..."
- Storm Cole of Los Alamitos, California has been a member for over 6 years and says, "Having the insurance in itself is a great benefit, but I also like that they cover me for almost all of my modalities. Furthermore,the Massage Magazine, is a nice plus for my client's. Every year, with my insurance, they send me a business packet. It has ideas, software suggestions, 1-800 help numbers. It's very nice."
