A pivotal moment occurred in May 2019 when the VHA released formal qualification standards for massage therapists. This allowed trained therapists to be directly hired within the system, presenting more opportunities to provide care for veterans battling chronic pain, trauma, or the physical strains of service.

This thoughtful approach resonates with my vision for bodywork. By adopting evidence-informed medicine principles into my massage practice, I can create more tailored and effective treatment plans which lead to better outcomes.

One particular course that captivated me featured a series of insights from leaders at the American Massage Therapy Association's 2023 annual conference celebrating their 80th year. The experts addressed the audience to talk about how massage, along with other complementary therapies, is transforming our perspectives on recovery and whole person health.