IMTRC: Insights from the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (IJTMB) Editors
Research

IMTRC: Insights from the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (IJTMB) Editors

Author(s): Ann Blair Kennedy, Amanda Baskwill, Sarah Fogarty

1CE credit 1 Lesson Video

Published research is one way massage therapists can engage with and contribute to the profession’s evidence base, but scientific publishing and related processes can feel unclear or challenging, especially for clinicians new to academic writing. In this session sponsored by Registered Massage Therapists Association of British Columbia (RMTBC), hear from current and former editors from the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (IJTMB) as they share common challenges and practical strategies to turn your ideas into publishable work. Plus, learn how IJTMB supports reviewers, readers, and authors alike, making massage therapy research dissemination accessible for everyone in the profession.

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 about IJTMB
  • Understand how IJTMB contributes to the profession
  • Learn how to publish in IJTMB
  • Learn about IJTMB open access

  1. IMTRC: Insights from the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (IJTMB) Editors

Ann Blair Kennedy, LMT, BCTMB, DrPH (they/she), has been a massage therapist for over 25 years and is an Associate Professor at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville in the Department of Biomedical Sciences. They also hold an appointment in the Department of Family Medicine at Prisma Health. She is also the Director of the University of South Carolina Patient Engagement Studio where they aim to advance health and research outcomes by bringing together patients, community partners, physicians, and researchers to produce meaningful research and innovation that serves the patients.

Amanda Baskwill, PhD, RMT, is an educator, administrator, researcher, and advocate with a PhD in Health Research Methodology from McMaster University.  Amanda is the Executive Editor and Editor-in-Chief for the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.  Her research interests include innovative teaching and learning strategies in healthcare education, the professional identity of healthcare providers, the application of evidence-informed practice, and the safety and effectiveness of massage therapy in the treatment of various conditions.

Sarah Fogarty, PhD, LMT, is a massage therapist and researcher. She has been practicing massage since 2000 and has worked with high-level athletes, professionals, and individuals who are pregnant and individuals who have experience grief particularly those who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal loss. She holds an adjunct fellow position at Western Sydney University, Penrith, Australia.