Every October, for one week, members of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) celebrate the massage profession and promote the health benefits of massage during National Massage Therapy Awareness Week.

2009 marks the 13th annual Week, designed to raise public awareness of the benefits of therapeutic massage and encourage Americans to seek massage therapy for stress relief, pain management and general health.

“Our goal for this week is to provide an avenue for massage therapists to successfully spotlight the profession, their business and the association,” says AMTA President Judy Stahl. “I’m thrilled to share this event on a national level, and I’m looking forward to learning how our members celebrate as well.”

AMTA members and chapters present public massage demonstrations and educational sessions on the benefits of massage, and provide massage therapy for charitable events.