IMTRC: Massage Therapist Turned Researcher: Reports from Practice
Research

IMTRC: Massage Therapist Turned Researcher: Reports from Practice

Author(s): Tina Brown, Jill Cole, Selena Hagen

1.5CE credits 1 Lesson Video

Massage therapists can contribute to research and the growing evidence base in many ways. Hear from panelists who share real-world examples of different pathways into research. Learn how clinical curiosity can evolve into meaningful contributions that strengthen the profession and support evidence-informed practice.

  • Facebook: A Versatile Tool for Massage Therapists - Tina Brown, PhD(c), MA, LMT
  • Graduate Research in Massage Therapy: The Journey Towards Dissertation - Jill Cole, MA, LMT, BCTMB
  • Myofascial Cupping and Burn Scars: A Case Study - Selena Hagan, Australian massage therapist

The Massage Therapy Foundation’s International Massage Therapy Research Conferences (IMTRC) are designed to bring together an engaged massage therapy-focused community of thought leaders, educators, clinicians, and researchers as well as other allied health practitioners to discuss recently completed and ongoing massage therapy research. This session was originally presented at IMTRC 2025. For more information, please visit the Massage Therapy Foundation.

At the conclusions of this session, attendees will be able to: 

  • Learn innovative ways to research
  • Learn how research can strengthen the profession
  • Learn how clinic research supports evidence-informed practice
  • Learn about three different clinic-based research studies

  1. IMTRC: Massage Therapist Turned Researcher: Reports from Practice

Tina Brown, PhD(c), MA, LMT, is an Indiana University School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences PhD candidate with a research focus on massage therapy. She is currently working on her dissertation focused on Facebook group engagement for self-administered massage accountability during recovery among planned single-knee surgery patients. She is a practicing massage therapist and works during the day as a Licensed Massage Therapist.

Jill Cole MA, LMT, BCTMB, is a hospital-based oncology massage therapist and the Massage Therapy Coordinator at the University of Kentucky HealthCare Integrative Medicine & Health. She has worked in the field of massage as a clinician, educator, presenter and researcher for more than two decades. Having worked closely with physicians, nurses, physical therapists, acupuncturists, chiropractors, talk therapists, and other allied health professionals, Jill brings a comprehensive approach to hospital-based massage therapy and patient care.

Selena Hagan has been a practicing remedial massage therapist in Australia for 25 years. She works out of her private clinic in the sleepy suburb of Taroona, in Tasmania, an island off an island. With a background in sport after studying sport science at university, her main focus and passion is working with athletes, being the lead remedial massage therapist for the Tasmanian Jackjumpers NBL team. Hagan is the Vice President of Massage & Myotherapy Australia, Australia’s leading massage therapy association, and is the Chair of the National Conference Committee.