Episode 063: What we learned at the 2024 Massage Myotherapy Australia Conference

Jackie and David went to the 2024 Massage & Myotherapy Australia Conference – held in Tweed Heads, New South Wales. For practitioners like us, this conference wasn’t just about enhancing our skills—it was about connecting with our peers (you are all colleagues to us), and reaffirming our dedication to helping clients through holistic and evidence-based therapy.

A Warm Welcome and an Exciting Start

The conference began with welcome drinks hosted by Health Leader Co., providing an engaging night for us to mingle and reconnect. Icebreakers such as the scavenger hunt brought everyone closer and set the stage for a collaborative atmosphere. For Jackie and David, we got to meet a bunch of listeners to our Folding Towels Podcast, this was very cool especially seeing how massage therapists connect online yet rarely meet face-to-face.

As a field where we often work solo, it was refreshing to connect in person with peers from around Australia and share our common journeys. It reaffirmed the value of community, especially in an industry where isolation can sometimes dim enthusiasm.

Workshops and Hands-On Learning: MET with Paula Nutting

On Friday, Jackie attended Paula Nutting’s pre-conference workshop on Muscle Energy Technique (MET), a hands-on session filled with energy and enthusiasm. Paula delivered an impressive volume of information with MET, a technique blending client effort with therapist guidance, has potential across all types of musculoskeletal issues, making it a valuable tool for therapists. Beyond technical skill, Paula’s workshop fostered a community spirit among participants.

The Opening Talks: Emphasising Research and a Holistic Approach

Kicking off Saturday, Professor John Adams delivered a compelling session on the value of rigorous, compassionate research in massage. Adams addressed how traditional scientific methods like double-blind studies are limiting when it comes to assessing therapeutic approaches that require therapist intuition and adaptation. He advocated for recognising therapists’ roles in evidence-based care, where human touch, personality, and therapist intuition are integral to positive outcomes. His involvement with PRACI, a network for building research in complementary health, signals the importance of our contributions to scientific literature.

Jackie and I both found ourselves moved by his message, seeing in it a call to action for the massage therapy community to contribute to research, even if that contribution begins with something as simple as a case study. The real-world impact of our work deserves to be understood, documented, and valued.

Stuart Hinds on High-Performance Therapy in Sports

On the Sunday, renowned sports massage therapist Stuart Hinds engaged attendees with his take on high-performance therapy, using experiences from his time at the Geelong Football Club. Hinds emphasised how massage therapists are often undervalued in sports teams, mainly seen as providing “rub downs” rather than real therapeutic care. Hinds urged therapists to observe athletes in action, communicate with their support teams, and approach massage as a vital component of an athlete’s performance. A standout anecdote he shared involved a random observation about a weightlifter’s technique that led to a breakthrough in treatment. This kind of insight, gained by watching athletes in their environment, highlighted the powerful role massage therapists can play when given the opportunity to engage deeply with their clients’ physical demands.

Bridging Physical and Mental Rehabilitation: Brendan Cole’s Perspective

Then Brendan Cole, a former athlete turned international bobsleigh coach, gave an impactful talk on the injured athlete’s mindset. After experiencing a career-changing injury, he witnessed first-hand how delays in rehab could foster feelings of helplessness and delay or make impossible a return to high performance sport. His message: the sooner you address an injury, the better the outcome—not just physically but mentally. Cole highlighted the importance of creating a collaborative environment with input from all stakeholders, including the injured athlete. Working with athletes isn’t just about getting them back on the field but fostering a mindset that injury does not define them. It’s a valuable lesson in the mental side of physical recovery, something massage therapists can integrate into their practices with all types of clients.

Innovative Techniques for Cancer and Lymphedema Patients

Jackie and David were deeply moved by Andrea Pluck’s case study presentations on working with clients who have had head and neck cancers. Andrea’s work focused on using lymphatic drainage techniques adapted to her clients’ unique needs, some of whom had undergone life-altering surgeries like glossectomies (removal of the tongue). Her compassionate approach, which included collaboration with Flinders Hospital, highlighted how massage can be not only therapeutic but life-changing.

Andrea demonstrated how using a new electrical stimulation based technology could be used to move lymph fluid, easing clients’ swelling and discomfort. Seeing how her work provided a tangible quality-of-life improvement, especially for clients who had struggled with depression due to their condition, was inspiring. This level of care shows massage therapy’s capacity to be much more than muscle work.

Certification and Standards: Elevating the Profession

The conference also featured a session from Massage and Myotherapy Australia leaders Paul Averill and Charlotte Keane on the importance of certification. The Certified Practitioner program aims to set a recognised standard across the industry, distinguishing qualified professionals from those who may not adhere to best practices. In an unregistered field like massage in Australia, the certification provides a mark of credibility and commitment to professionalism.

Such initiatives are important for the significance of structured education, policy adherence, and ethical practice in our industry. If certification gains broader recognition, it can act as a national symbol, similar to certifications in other health professions, setting apart skilled therapists in the eyes of the public.

Networking and Community: More Than Just “Colleagues”

From shared meals to karaoke nights and, yes, even some impromptu dance floor action, the social side of the conference was a highlight. While formal sessions provide knowledge, the chance to connect over shared experiences and aspirations brings a sense of camaraderie often missing in our solo practice environments. Attendees shared insights from their own practices, exchanged client stories, and even shared life hacks for handling business tasks. It’s these moments that bring warmth and human connection to an industry sometimes seen as purely transactional. After all, the hands we use to help clients are also hands that can support each other.

Why You Should Attend a Conference: Reflections and Recommendations

Reflecting on the conference, both Jackie and I walked away feeling inspired, validated, and re-energised. Conferences offer more than just technical knowledge; they’re an investment in your career and a reminder of the impact massage can have on clients’ lives. Whether you attend annually or once every few years, the insights and motivation you gain are invaluable.

For those new to the industry or seasoned professionals alike, it’s worth finding a conference, workshop, or professional gathering where you can not only learn but connect with others who share your passion for the craft. The 2024 Massage Myotherapy Australia Conference was an eye-opening experience, from the ground-breaking work in cancer care to the high-energy social events. If Perth is too far, check with your local association—many hold similar gatherings that can help you feel part of the broader massage community.

Looking Ahead

We’re already excited about the 2025 Massage & Myotherapy conference in Perth, and if this year’s event is any indication, it will continue to build on the industry’s growing respect and impact in holistic health. Whether you’re a sports therapist, a relaxation specialist, or working in specialised fields like oncology, there’s something at these events for everyone.

Conferences allow us to be better therapists, colleagues, and, perhaps most importantly, to return to our clients with renewed energy and expertise. Here’s to continually learning, sharing, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in massage therapy!

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