American Massage Therapy Association 








Our Chapter's Annual Meeting will be held in beautiful Ruidoso, NM on Saturday March 26th and Sunday March 27th, 2011. We will have 8 credits of continuing education, a business meeting, annual board elections, and many excellent door prizes. This event is FREE for AMTA members; we just ask that you show your membership card at the door. Non-AMTA members are welcome at $60 for Saturday or Sunday, or $120 for the entire weekend. Non-AMTA members - please bring exact cash or a check at the door.
The meeting and conference will be held downtown at the Hotel Ruidoso, close to restaurants and shopping. For those traveling from out of town, special rates are being offered at the Hotel Ruidoso ($109) and the Comfort Inn ($99). Please reserve your room by calling 866-734-5197 by March 4th to get the special rate, which includes a hot breakfast. Ruidoso is a beautiful mountain town, perfect for a weekend getaway. The Hotel Ruidoso is within walking distance of great restaurants and shopping. Try your luck at the casino at the Inn of the Mountain Gods, or watch The Charlie Daniels Band perform on Sunday March 27th.
8:00-10:00 - Blood Pressure: The why, how and meaning for massage therapists (Rick Wiles)
if you have a blood pressure monitor, please bring it for hands-on instruction
10:00-12:00 - Ethics (Rick Wiles)
12:00-2:00 - Lunch on your own
2:00-4:00 - Board Meeting and Elections
Sunday March 27
8:00-12:00 - Prenatal Massage Primer (Christine E. Thompson) participants are requested to bring a massage table, shorts and a sports bra for hands-on instruction
This is a great chance to earn your 8 FREE CEUs. Earning your FREE CEUs can pay for half your annual AMTA membership! Come talk to the AMTA-NM Board about massage in your area, what you envision for the Chapter's future, and network with your colleagues. You might even go home with some great door prizes.
Please RSVP for this great event to Rick Wiles by March 20th.
Instructors Bios:
Rick Wiles, LMT #5436 NM, RMTI# I-0402
Rick Wiles has been an emergency medical technician (EMT) for 30 years with the Artesia fire department & ambulance service. He is a retired fire department training officer now serving as the Chief of the volunteer fire department. Owner of Artesia Family Wellness Center (training gym) and Massage Therapy School, Rick is a fitness trainer and educator. He is a licensed massage therapist and registered instructor in New Mexico and Texas; and certified Nationally by the NCTMB. Rick has served as the AMTA-NM Chapter's 1st, 2nd, and 3rd vice presidents and is currently serving as President.
Christine E. Thompson, LMT #4722, RMTI #S-0344, MOTHERMASSAGE® Certified
Christine has a private practice in Las Cruces at the Full Circle Health Center. She is MOTHERMASSAGE® Certified, taught personally by Elaine Stillerman who first developed that training. Christine has been an LMT since 2003, graduating from a 1000 hr. program at the Onondaga School of Therapeutic Massage in Syracuse, NY. She holds licensure in both New Mexico and New York. Christine has taught at Massage Therapy Training Institute (MTTI) since 2005. The prenatal class has been popular at MTTI, and she has held the CEU classes 3 times now. Besides being a professional member of AMTA since the day she was officially deemed an LMT in NY (2003), Christine is Nationally Certified through NCBTMB.
Prenatal Massage Primer Outline:
Combination of lecture with hands-on tips for addressing common complaints of pregnant clients.
Massage and the reduction of stress
Benefits of Prenatal Massage
Myths of Prenatal Massage
Myth #1 A massage can cause a miscarriage.
Myth #2 A massage is contraindicated in the first trimester.
Myth #3 The abdomen should never be massaged during the first trimester.
Myth #4 The feet and hands should not be massage during pregnancy.
Myth #5 A pregnant woman should lie only on her left side, whether in bed or on the massage table.
Contraindications for massage including shiatsu points
Essential oils/herbs and prenatal massage (handout)


Renaissance ArtsFaire - Las Crucas, NM
Our sixth annual participation with the Renaissance Faire was held on November 3rd and 4th, 2007. We had over 26 volunteers in attendance giving wonderful chair massage to Faire attendees. Everyone had a great time. This annual event has been an effective fundraising event for MERT and chapter community service events. We are already looking forward to next year's event!


EMS Region 3 Conference April 2008

Virginia Anthony Barrow participating with the goal of "helping those who help others", specifically, attendees at the EMT Region 3 Conference

