AMTA Oregon Chapter Bulletins

Introduced as “Gentleman” John Combe at the Awards Ceremonies of the AMTA National Convention held in Minnesota is Oregon’s 2010 Meritorious Award winner. John, who practices in La Grande, OR, smiled for the cameras and accepted his honor graciously.

Quite honestly, we the Board of Directors for the Oregon Chapter had to triple check that “Gentleman” John had never received his state’s Meritorious Award. It was hard to believe, with all his many contributions to our causes - that he had somehow slipped through the cracks and escaped recognition. We fixed that, and he never caught on until he checked in at Convention!

John Combe, LMT #7492, NCTMB, sports an impressive list of services rendered to the American Massage Therapy Association, and the massage community, both at the state and national levels: AMTA-Oregon Membership Chair (2002-2006, 2008-2010), 2^nd Vice President (2004-2006), President (2006-2008), Delegate (2004, 2005, 2006, 2008), Budget Committee Member (2003-present); AMTA House of Delegates Operations Committee (2005-2007, 2009-present), AMTA 2010 National Convention Planning Committee, AMTA Chapter Presidents Council, Presenter (2006), Presidents Council Moderator (2007), and many other committee and oversight posts nationally and for Oregon. Combe has also been active at the Oregon Board of Massage Therapists (OBMT) and with the Massage Therapy Foundation. He is co-chairing the AMTA-Oregon 2011 National Convention Committee.

John operates Combes Wellness Center in La Grande, where he is married to Angela and they have two dogs. He has been licensed in Oregon since 2000. He enjoys running, the outdoors, dancing, serving the American Massage Therapy Association and enjoying his AMTA family.

 A big THANK YOU to John! 

Returning Veterans Project Needs You!

Returning Veterans Project (RVP) is a six-year old non-profit uniquely dedicated to providing free, confidential counseling and complementary health care services to returning veterans, service members and military families around Oregon. Our providers are licensed and insured mental health and somatic health professionals who volunteer by opening one or more pro bono slots in their practice for those we serve.  Last spring, we began adding massage therapists to our network and it very quickly became one of our most popular services! This year we are asking another 20 licensed/insured massage therapists from around the state, to join our network.   

The need is great:

·         Only 40% of Oregon’s current war veterans are going to the VA for services.

·         14,000 Oregon National Guard members have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, with most deployed multiple times. Their average age is 30, high numbers are women, and most have spouses and children.

·         Thousands of other Oregonians have served in the Reserves and other branches of the military

·         The signature wounds of these wars are post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI).  Current research estimates that at least 20% of those who’ve serve in a combat zone return home with PTSD and other stress and trauma reactions. Estimates on the numbers of veterans returning home with a TBI injury range from 100,000 to 320,000.

·         Military spouses/children/parents/other family members cannot receive VA services. They face rising divorce rates and increasing cases of domestic violence and child abuse.

How to Become an RVP Volunteer Provider:

1.       Visit the RVP website www.returningveterans.org  to fill out a provider application or call 503-933-4996.

2.       After you apply, you will be asked to attend the next available 2 hour, Somatic Orientation offered after 6 massage therapists have applied.

3.       You’ll also receive a password and instructions to view somatic training videos on-line at vimeo.com; “A Mind-Body Approach to Working with Stress & Trauma Reactions.” Instructors include Bill Bowen, MFA, LMT and Katie Boyts, LMT; 8 continuing-educ. credits are available.
  

Massage Therapy Foundation
 

RISE with us: 20 for 20

The Massage Therapy Foundation is celebrating our 20th Anniversary with big plans for continued service to the massage therapy profession. In that spirit, we invite you to RISE to the occasion with a special gift to this once-in-a-lifetime campaign. Won't you consider donating an extra "20 for 20" this year? Give a $20 gift for our 20th Anniversary.

Make your special donation today.

May 12th was National Fibromyalgia Day
 Becky Leetch, LMT #6337
 
National Fibromyalgia Day was May 12, 2011. As a massage therapist with fibromyalgia, it’s important to me that clients and LMTs become aware of this sometimes invisible, but real, condition. I have received pain relief and release through massage. In fact, that’s what led me to become a massage therapist.
 
I try to do something around this time of year to learn more about Fibromyalgia (FM) and educate others about FM. On May 5th, I attended a Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, Chronic Pain support group in Gresham. Many of us were new members and it was exciting to share stories and remedies with each other. When I asked the group, one fact was clear: massage offered relief for most of us, and many preferred deeper work. It was different for each individual. I was fortunate to find this group through the National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association website www.fmcpaware.org . I also encourage you to learn more about FM from this website. There are also massage classes offered for FM treatment throughout Oregon.

Here are some facts:

Fibromyalgia (pronounced fy-bro-my-AL-ja) is one of the most common chronic pain conditions. The disorder affects an estimated 10 million people in the U.S. and an estimated 3-6% of the world population. While it is most prevalent in women —75-90 percent of the people who have FM are women —it also occurs in men and children of all ethnic groups. The disorder is often seen in families, among siblings or mothers and their children. The diagnosis is usually made between the ages of 20 to 50 years, but the incidence rises with age so that by age 80, approximately 8% of adults meet the American College of Rheumatology classification of fibromyalgia. For those with severe symptoms, fibromyalgia (FM) can be extremely debilitating and interfere with basic daily activities.

Diagnosis:

•  The FM diagnostic criteria, established by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) in 1990, includes a history of widespread pain in all four quadrants of the body for a minimum duration of three months, and pain in at least 11 of the 18 designated tender points when a specified amount of pressure is applied.

• Since people with FM tend to look healthy and conventional tests are typically normal, a physician knowledgeable about the disorder is necessary to make a diagnosis.

• Physicians should rule out other causes of the symptoms before making a diagnosis of fibromyalgia.

Symptoms:

• Although chronic, widespread body pain is the primary symptom of fibromyalgia, a variety of other symptoms are common in FM patients. Symptoms include: moderate to severe fatigue, sleep disorders, problems with cognitive functioning, IBS, headaches and migraines, anxiety and depression, and environmental sensitivities.

• Research has documented neuroendocrine physiological abnormalities that may contribute to the symptoms.

Causes:

• Recent research has suggested a genetic component. The disorder is often seen in families, among siblings or mothers and their children.

• Fibromyalgia often occurs following a physical trauma, such as an acute illness or injury, which may act as a “trigger” in the development of the disorder.

• Increasing attention is being devoted to the central nervous system as the underlying mechanism of FM. Recent studies have suggested that FM patients have generalized disturbance in pain processing and an amplified response to stimuli that would not ordinarily be painful in healthy individuals.

Treatment:

• Since there is no known cure for FM, treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and improving function.

• A variety of prescription medications are often used to reduce pain levels and improve sleep. On June 21, 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Lyrica (pregabalin) as the first drug to treat fibromyalgia. Cymbalta (duloxetine HCl) was approved in June 2008; and Savella (milnacipran HCl) was approved in January 2009.

• Alternative therapies, such as massage, myofasical release, acupuncture, chiropractic, herbal supplements and yoga, can be effective tools in managing FM symptoms.

• Increasing rest, pacing activities, reducing stress, practicing relaxation and improving nutrition can help minimize symptoms and improve quality of life.

PRINT VERSION 

Oregon’s own Glenath Moyle of Portland has been elected to the national American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) Presidency beginning in March 2011.

Moyle, who has been active in and around the massage community in Oregon for more than 20 years, has been AMTA-Oregon Chapter Secretary, 3rd Vice President, President, Newsletter Editor from 1997-2004, and to those of us active at the board level, “Mama Glen”, a supportive and knowledgeable presence and voice willing to share and help when asked.

Also in Oregon, she has served in a variety of capacities for the Oregon Board of Massage Therapists (OBMT), including Board Member (1990-97) Chair (1992-94), and several committees throughout the years. While currently running a massage practice in the Portland area, Moyle continues to remain active with

OBMT, including ongoing duties as an examiner at the board. At the National level, Moyle became a Member at Large on the National AMTA Board of Directors in 2004, serving until 2009 when she became National Vice President. She has been National Membership Chair (1999-2003), National Convention Co-Chair (2004), and she has been AMTA Representative to the Massage Therapy Foundation Board of Trustees since 2004.

Beginning this March, Moyle assumes the AMTA National President-Elect position, which she will hold until next March, when she assumes the Presidency. “I embrace the chance to serve as a leader in this great, diverse profession,” she says, “and honor the opportunities presented to our community to promote love, kindness and healing to humanity,” when asked about the focus of her presidency." AMTA promotes the core ideology of professionalism as we continue to evolve within the healthcare field”.

A native of New Zealand, Glenath and her husband Gordon moved to the Portland area in 1977, where they have raised four children. Two of their children were born in America. Glenath had been a Registered Nurse and Gordon an Engineer in New Zealand. Between New Zealand and the United States, the Moyle’s had lived for a time in Australia, where Gordon worked for NASA and as a Professor at RMC Duntroon (Australia’s West Point) and Glenath a geriatric nurse. In the United States, Glenath became a homemaker and a Girl Scout Leader, Trainer and Day Camp director.

Glenath entered the massage world by attending Notre Coeur College in Portland, graduating in 1988. She was licensed, and joined AMTA in 1989. She maintains a NCBTMB certification which she first earned in 1994. She was Oregon Chapter Meritorious Award winner in 1999, National Meritorious Award winner in 2004.

“For twenty years I have volunteered my time to advancing the profession, and supporting the massage therapy professional,” she notes. “I offer continuity of leadership, knowledge, dedication, enthusiasm, listening skills, and time,” she concludes. Moyle will be AMTA President when Portland hosts the 2011 AMTA National Convention that October.