Douglas Nelson is Board Certified in Massage Therapy and Therapeutic Bodywork, beginning his career in massage therapy in 1977. Seeing over 1,200 client visits annually, he is also the owner of BodyWork Associates, a massage therapy clinic in Champaign, Illinois, with 18 therapists, that was established in 1982. He is the founder of NMT MidWest, Inc., providing training in Precision Neuromuscular Therapy™ across the U.S. He has personally taught more than 13,000 hours of continuing education. Nelson is the past president of the Massage Therapy Foundation and is currently a trustee on the board. Having published many articles in numerous journals and magazines, he is also the author of three books: “Table Lessons: Insights in the Practice of Massage Therapy” (two volumes) and “The Mystery of Pain.” Nelson is the recipient of the 2013 Educator of the Year and 2015 Pioneer Award by the Illinois Chapter of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) and was inducted into the Massage Therapy Hall of Fame in 2018. He also received the 2020 President’s Award from the AMTA National President Angela Barker. Nelson is also an active volunteer in his community, serving on the board of Champaign Rotary, and was named Rotarian of the Year in 2021. He and his wife, Janet, are also co-chairs of the Advancement Council for Krannert Center for the Performing Arts.