AMTA-WI Education Convention
January 8–10, 2027
Oshkosh Marriott Waterfront Hotel & Convention Center
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Get ready for a weekend filled with great education, networking, connection, and fun with fellow massage therapists from across Wisconsin!
Whether you’re looking to earn your CEs, expand your knowledge, connect with other therapists, or simply recharge with your massage therapy community, you won’t want to miss this weekend!
Mark your calendar and plan to join us!
Call to Book Your Hotel
Convention Fees:
$17 for each CEU Hour for AMTA Members
$27 for each CEU Hour for Non AMTA Members
$15 for each CEU Hour for AMTA Students
This Event will include Breakfast and Lunch on Friday, Saturday and Sunday!
A Vendor Social will be held on Saturday Evening!
Doug Nelson
Precision Neuromuscular Therapy
PNMT for The Thoracic Spine
January 8, 2027 8.0 Hours
Class Description
The thoracic spine may very well be the unsung hero of the human body. While the low back and neck get all the attention and treatment, the thoracic spine plays an enormous role in the health of both. Lack of mobility in the thoracic spine typically goes unnoticed. Unfortunately, when the thoracic spine has restricted movement, the low back often tries to make up the difference. This quite often leads to pain in the low back. Treatment on the low back will ultimately fail, since the low back is doing too much, since the thoracic spine is doing
PNMT for the Shoulder
January 9, 2027 8.0 Hours
Class Description
Issues of the shoulder are one of the most common reasons that client seek massage therapy. We begin the seminar with assessment and treatment of the complex relationships of the muscles that affect movement of the scapula. Participants will also learn to measure and treat movement restrictions of the humerus using various testing and assessment techniques. PNMT treatment techniques are flexible in nature, highly targeted, and highly effective. We know this from thousands of hours of clinical practice. Results matter!
Jeffrey Montoya
Academy of Health
Joint Movement Techniques for Massage Therapists
January 10, 2027 4.0 Hours
Course Description
This course covers the safe and effective use of joint movement techniques within the practice of massage therapy. Rooted in traditional Swedish massage principles, the course explores how joint movements can improve mobility, reduce muscular tension, enhance proprioception, and support functional movement patterns.
Participants will explore the differences between active, passive, assisted, and resisted movements, and practice practical applications for the neck, shoulders, hips, knees, ankles, wrists, and feet. Emphasis is placed on client safety, proper body mechanics, contraindications, and integrating movement into massage sessions. The course includes lecture, demonstrations, and hands-on practice.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
Differentiate between active, passive, assisted, and resisted movements.
Describe the therapeutic benefits of joint movement techniques.
Identify contraindications and safety considerations for joint movement applications.
Demonstrate proper body mechanics while performing joint movement techniques.
Integrate joint movement techniques into massage sessions.
Reflexology for Massage Therapists
January 10, 2027 2.0 Hours
Course Description
Reflexology is a valuable adjunctive technique that enhances therapeutic massage and supports whole-body wellness. In this workshop, participants will learn an easy-to-understand framework for identifying and working with reflex points on the feet as part of massage sessions. The course includes a review of major body systems and how they correspond to reflex zones, allowing therapists to design thoughtful and effective reflexology sequences.
Current research on the effectiveness of reflexology as a complementary therapy for common conditions will also be discussed, helping massage therapists integrate evidence-informed approaches into their massage therapy sessions. By the end of the workshop, therapists will gain practical skills, clearer anatomical insight, and confidence in applying reflexology techniques safely and effectively as part of their massage therapy practice.
Objectives
Participants will be able to:
-Identify major reflex points on the feet and describe their corresponding body systems.
-Explain reflexology and its role as a complementary therapy within massage practice.
-Demonstrate effective techniques and develop reflexology sequences tailored to specific client needs using a body-system approach.
-Summarize current research findings regarding reflexology’s effectiveness for common conditions.
Kathy Ginn
Ethical Dimensions
Ethics as Soul Work - Embrace the Soul of Ethical Service
January 9, 2027 6.0 Hours
Course Description
Our work as body-centered practitioners is often complex. At times our work can feel draining and exhausting. We find ourselves trying too hard, working too much, or simply we feel empty - something is missing. This approach guides you to a deeper understanding of your ethical nature and deep roots. The four qualities covered in class create an entire tapestry that will inspire you to explore the self that serves another. The day promises to speak to your heart and soul.
Navigate the Deep & Wide Knowing-Doing Gap - explore your barriers to success
January 10, 2027 4.0 Hours
Course Description
There is an enormous difference between between what we know and what we do. The knowing-doing gap is the largest gap we face in our professional and personal lives today. This gap often prevents us from reaching our goals and living our dreams. In this class you are invited to take a close look at your individual gap, and gain wise insight along with real solutions to narrow this gap. If you wish to live from a place of conscious self- leadership filled with with deep meaning and purpose - this class is for you.
Mark Sullivan
Neuro-Energy Massage & Health
Traditions of Hawaiian Healing Through Lomi Lomi Massage
January 8-9, 2027 16.0 Hours
Course Description
Lomi Lomi is known as a traditional Hawaiian massage that showcases long flowing and rhythmic strokes that often mimic the motion of ocean waves. It is deeply rooted in Polynesian culture and is practiced not only in Hawaii but also in neighboring islands such as Tahiti, Samoa, and Tokelau. The term "Lomi" has been defined as "to rub or "to kneed", but it actually embodies a much more deeper meaning which is based in ancient Hawaiian culture integrating mind, body, and spirit. To the casual observer, the strokes resemble a variation of traditional Swedish massage, but during a Lomi Lomi session, the practitioner focuses on the energy pathways throughout the body rather than individual muscles and other soft tissues. The goals of Lomi Lomi sessions are to cleanse negative pathways and restrictions resulting in holistically restoring balance and healing with a sense of rejuvenation rather than just targeting pain and stress relief. Lomi Lomi embodies original Hawaiian values of care, love, and connection, making it an unique and culturally rich form of therapy.
Prenatal Assessment and the Art of Side-Lying Massage
January 10, 2027 6.5 Hours
Course Description
This introductory course prepares massage therapists for the time when one of their clients shares the news that they are expecting a child? Pregnancy results in vast changes to the landscape of the female body hormonally, structurally, emotionally, and physiology. This course will discuss many of the common challenges and potential complications pregnancy clients present and offers practical guidance on how to assess and develop safe therapy plans. Structure changes during pregnancy and how they affect posture and soft tissue positioning will be extensively discussed. Background information on pregnancies, therapy setup, best practice positioning, precautions, and technique modifications will also be addressed. This course is a mixture of lecture (65%) and hands and hands on practice (35%). While this course is positioned for therapists with no prior prenatal training, it will provide a good review for those therapists who already receive training to work with prenatal clients.
Shelle Hagen
Corestone
Muscle Mastery: SynDaver Anatomy & Applied Movement
January 8, 2027 and Repeated on January 9, 2027 8.0 Hours
Only 16 Spots Open Each Day
Course Description
Muscle Mastery is a hands-on anatomy and movement course designed to strengthen students’ understanding of the muscular system and its direct application to massage therapy. Using a SynDaver anatomical model, palpation practice, movement observation, partner activities, and basic exercise demonstrations, students will move beyond memorizing muscle names and better understand where muscles are located, how they cross joints, how they create movement, and how this knowledge can improve massage treatment.
The course emphasizes connecting anatomy to real-world massage practice. Students will practice identifying muscles on the SynDaver and on classmates, examine muscle fiber direction and attachment points, analyze common body movements, and apply this knowledge to more effectively locate and treat muscles during massage.
Don't just memorize the muscle—understand the muscle.
Muscle Mastery is designed to help students see anatomy as a connected system. A muscle's location, attachments, fiber direction, relationship to a joint, and resulting movement all provide information that a massage therapist can use.
By learning anatomy through the SynDaver, palpation, movement, exercise, and massage application, students can develop a three-dimensional understanding of the muscular system that translates directly into greater confidence and precision at the massage table
Erasing "Tech Neck": Advanced Thermal Treatment
January 10, 2027 8.0 Hours
Course Description
8-hour continuing education course designed to completely transform how you approach cervical care. By fusing advanced structural anatomy with the extraordinary thermal properties of soapstone tools, you will learn how to effortlessly melt away stubborn myofascial restrictions without straining your own body.
This course kicks off with an intensive 2-hour interactive lecture and live demonstration. You will master the biomechanics of Forward Head Posture (FHP) and learn how to safely operate your dry-heat warming system, keeping your tools in the optimal 80°C to 100°C sweet spot. You will also practice ergonomic tool grips that turn CoreStones into a seamless, protective extension of your own hands.
The rest of the day is entirely hands-on. Divided into two dedicated 3-hour practical labs, both you and your partner will have ample time to give and receive a comprehensive, clinical cervical protocol. Under direct instructor supervision, you will practice safely decompressing the anterior vault (SCM and scalenes), releasing the suboccipital triangle to alleviate chronic tension headaches, and integrating posterior upper-thoracic flushing with dual-temperature contrast therapy.
Stop wrestling with dense tissue and letting your hands absorb the strain. Step into a smarter way to work, elevate your clinical results, and give your clients the deep, lasting structural relief their digital bodies desperately need.
How to visually assess and structurally map the kinetic chain collapse of Forward Head Posture.
The safety and hygiene principles of dry-heat technology over traditional water baths.
Ergonomic body mechanics and specialized stone grips to eliminate repetitive thumb and wrist strain.
Precise, safe techniques for releasing hypertonic anterior neck muscles and the suboccipital line.
How to combine passive stretching with targeted thermal pressure to accelerate tissue release.
How to build a sustainable post-treatment home-care blueprint for your clients
Susan Cossette
Health & Healing Zone
Thai Foot Massage
January 8, 2027 8.0 Hours
Course Description
This class combines traditional Thai Massage working pressure points along the Sen Lines to remove stagnation and increase the free flow of energy. Lighter acupressure will be applied to address reflex points in traditional reflexology to work the reflections of organs, systems and tissues. This is a fully clothed therapy performed on a traditional Thai mat on the floor, or you can adapt it to a massage table. The receiver should wear comfortable, loose-fitting pants or yoga style clothes or shorts. Areas worked will be the feet and lower legs. Benefits of Thai Foot Massage are relaxation/stress relief, increased flexibility in the feet, increased energy flow and circulation, lymph stimulation and facilitates the release of emotional pain or blocked energy. This class is for newcomers to Thai Massage as well as those that are trained in traditional Thai Massage.
Northern Thai Massage Part 1: Supine Course
January 9-10, 2027 14.0 Hours
Course Description
This fully clothed therapy is performed on a floor mat. The therapist and the receiver should wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes such as a cotton t-shirt and light sweatpants or yoga pants. You will be instructed on various techniques involving the use of your hands, arms, elbows, knees and feet to perform core leaning pressure, reflexology acupressure, assisted progressive stretching and some yoga postures and breath work to allow the energy lines (Sen lines and Nadis) to open, flow and balance. This type of massage has often been referred to as "lazy person's yoga" as the receiver experiences the benefits of yoga through assisted postures. This rhythmic and meditative therapy allows one to enter into a state of deep relaxation as well as allowing any imbalance of energy to flow through and out of the body. Most of the attention is focused on the legs. Other areas include feet, abdominal work, arms & hands, face, neck and shoulders. Benefits for your client: Increased flexibility, increased energy flow and circulation, relaxing nerve constriction, lymph stimulation, improve structural balance and to facilitate the release of emotional pain or blocked energy.
Ellen Meyer
Empowered
Buccal Massage: Advanced Facial Sculpting
January 8, 2027 8.0 Hours
Class Description
Buccal massage is a specialized facial massage technique designed to sculpt, contour, and rejuvenate the face by targeting the muscles and tissues around the cheeks, jawline, and mouth. This technique can be performed with or without intraoral (inside the mouth) work, depending on the practitioner’s scope of practice and training background.
Wahneta Dimmer
Empowered
Passive Stretching for Myofascial Release
January 9-10, 2027 16.0 Hours
Class Description
Passive stretching, an artful technique in the realm of physical therapy, has emerged as a powerful tool for myofascial release—an approach aimed at unraveling the intricate tapestry of fascia that envelops our muscles. This method, characterized by its gentle yet profound effects, holds the promise of unlocking bodily tension, enhancing mobility, and ushering a sense of deep relaxation. As we delve into the world of passive stretching for myofascial release, we uncover its mechanisms, benefits, and potential impacts on our overall well-being.
