Spa Associations & Organizations
Academy of
Anti-Aging Research
The Academy of Anti-Aging Research (A3R) is a society of
health care professionals and researchers dedicated to the
advancement of anti-aging medicine.
American
Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive
Surgery (AAFPRS) represents 2,800 facial plastic and reconstructive
surgeons throughout the world. The AAFPRS is a National
Medical Specialty Society of the American Medical Association
(AMA), and holds an official seat in both the AMA House
of Delegates and the American College of Surgeons board
of governors.
American Academy
of Dermatology
The American Academy of Dermatology is the largest, most
influential and most representative of all dermatologic
associations. With a membership of over 13,700, it represents
virtually all practicing dermatologists in the United States.
American
Association for Naturopathic Physicians (AANP)
Features a directory of naturopaths. Search by name or location.
There is also a list of accredited schools.
American Association
of Oriental Medicine (AAOM)
AAOM, formed in 1983, promotes the acceptance of Oriental
medicine as a complementary and alternative medical (CAM)
therapy. The organization also served as the "springboard
for the creation of the National Commission for the Certification
of Acupuncturists." A directory of practitioners by state.
No free access to publications.
American
Chiropractic Association (ACA)
Full-service professional association for chiropractors.
There is also an affiliated student association. Limited
full-text access to JACA: Journal of the American Chiropractic
Association and other publications.
American
Dietetic Association (ADA)
The ADA is the nation's largest organization of food and
nutrition professionals. This site provides information
on accreditation for dietetics education, career opportunities,
and brief access to current and past issues of the Journal
of the American Dietetics Association. The Knowledge Center
provides extensive links to resources such as the Food Guide
Pyramid, Nutrition Fact Sheets, associations and global
nutrition sites, and a referral directory to registered
dietitians. The online products and services catalog lists
a multitude of books, videos and self-study publications,
with special member pricing.
American
Massage Therapy Association (AMTA)
The mission of the AMTA is to increase awareness of massage
for health and well-being. Extensive information for practitioners
as well as anyone interested in the practice of massage.
A massage therapy research database provides the latest
information on the efficacy of massage and specific techniques.
An online job network is provided for members, with information
for nonmembers to subscribe. Links to information about
the workings of the Association, board of directors, standards
of practice, lists of schools, and much more.
American
Music Therapy Association (AMTA)
The mission of the AMTA is to advance public awareness of
the benefits of music therapy and increase access to quality
music therapy services in a rapidly changing world.
American
Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia (AOBTA)
AOBTA is a national not-for-profit professional association
of practitioners of Bodywork Therapies of Asia. All forms
that are recognized by AOBTA originally had their roots
in China. Over the centuries China, Japan, Thailand, Korea
and more recently, North America and Europe have changed
and evolved these forms into separate and distinct modalities.
American
Polarity Therapy Association (APTA)
Polarity Therapy is a comprehensive health system involving
energy-based bodywork, diet, exercise and self- awareness.
It works with the Human Energy Field, electro- magnetic
patterns expressed in mental, emotional and physical experience.
In Polarity Therapy, health is viewed as a reflection of
the conditiion of the energy field, and therapeutic methods
are designed to balance the field for health benefit. Official
web site of the APTA provides information on all aspects
of the practice and study of Polarity Therapy.
Associated
Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP)
Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP)
is a professional membership association founded in 1987
to provide massage, bodywork, skin care and somatic therapies
practitioners with professional services, information, and
public and regulatory advocacy. ABMP is devoted to promoting
ethical practices, protecting the rights of practitioners,
and educating the public regarding the benefits of massage
and bodywork. Its current membership totals more than 50,000.
Council on
Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME)
CNME is accepted as the specialized accrediting agency for
naturopathic medical education.
Day
Spa Association
The Day Spa Association website will guide you to day spa
facilities that take their business seriously, and are committed
to bring you the best services and products that the spa
industry has to offer. The Day Spa Association has established
a set of guidelines to help you recognize what to expect
from a day spa. The website provides these guidelines, as
well as other helpful reference information to the spa-goer.
International
Association of Healthcare Practitioners (IAHP)
IAHP is a league of healthcare professionals dedicated to
the use and exploration of innovative therapies. The organization
was formed to provide a united voice in the field of complementary
healthcare — one that would be heard by legislative bodies,
insurance regulators, the public and other healthcare providers.
IAHP members include medical doctors, osteopathic physicians,
doctors of chiropractic, doctors of Oriental medicine, naturopathic
physicians, psychiatric specialists, psychologists, dentists,
nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, acupuncturists,
massage therapists and other professional bodyworkers.
International
Medical Spa Association (IMSA)
Official Web site of the International Medical Spa Association
(IMSA).
International
Spa Association (ISPA)
Official Web site of the International SPA Association.
ISPA is recognized worldwide as the professional association
and voice of the spa industry, representing more than 1,900
wellness facilities and providers from 55 countries.
Rocky
Mountain Herbal Institute (RMHI)
The RMHI is a private educational and research organization
offering professional training in Chinese herbal sciences
since 1987. The institute offers courses to professionals
and the general public, publishes textbooks on Chinese herbology,
provides healthcare to the public and conducts research
projects. This site offers informative articles on Chinese
herbology, clinical reports and healthcare politics, plus
free access to the TCM HerbLibrary, a database of over 220
herbs of the Chinese material medica. Extensive links to
databases and directories of herbal and health resources,
practitioner referrals, TCM links, discussion groups and
book distributors.
Spa
Association
The Spa Association is a resource for information, resources,
education, and community in the spa industry that unites
medi-spas, dayspas, resorts, hotel spas, and wellness centers.
Tzu Chi
Institute
Located in Vancouver, BC, the Tzu Chi Institute focuses
on clinical treatment programs, research, and education.
Click on Information Resources for an annotated list of
complementary and alternative medicine databases. The Research
Department designs, conducts and facilitates research projects
that support the Institute's Integrated Care Programs. Information
is available about ongoing research, how to recommend research
topics and how to participate in a research study.
Zero
Balancing Association
The Zero Balancing Association was founded in 1991 to promote
and support the teaching and practice of Zero-Balancing,
a hands-on body/mind system designed by Dr Fritz Smith in
1973 to align body energy with the body's physical structure.
It represents the integration of Eastern views of energy
with Western views of science, and teaches how to use energy
as a working tool in relation to body structure.
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Day
spas, which are the fastest-growing segment of
the spa industry, are incorporating medical services at
a fast and furious pace. Some day spas offer minor surgical
procedures, like mole removal or laser hair removal. Others
offer treatments designed to help clients prepare for, and
recover from, cosmetic surgery.
