The International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (IJTMB) is the official scientific journal of the Massage Therapy Foundation and is an open-access, peer-reviewed journal dedicated to advancing the science and practice of therapeutic massage therapy and bodywork. It serves as a central platform for the profession, publishing work across the three core domains of research, education, and clinical practice, while prioritizing accessibility and relevance for both practitioners and researchers. As a freely available resource indexed in major databases, IJTMB plays a key role in disseminating emerging evidence, supporting professional development, and strengthening the evidence base for the field.
The current IJTMB issue (2026, Vol. 19 No. 1) showcases the breadth and growing depth of international massage therapy research, practice, and scholarly dialogue and with contributions from authors in seven different countries including Indonesia, Australia, the UK, and Canada. The issue features 8 articles in the Research (6) and Practice (2) sections in addition to two Letters to the Editor reflecting on the Special Issue on Massage & Mental Health from Sept 2025. The articles include a mix of pilot trials, clinical and service evaluations, and practice-focused investigations that reflect the field’s continued movement toward real-world, patient-centered inquiry. Topics explored in the issue include the effects of self-massage on stress, immune function, and quality of life; the role of massage in complex clinical contexts including pregnancy after loss and cancer pain management; and the safety, patient experience, and side effects associated with care. Additional articles examine system-level considerations, including affordability and alternative payment models, alongside musculoskeletal assessments relevant to clinical practice. An accompanying editorial from IJTMB’s Executive Editor, Amanda Baskwill, highlights the importance of professional language in shaping understanding and advancing the field.
Collectively, IJTMB Vol. 19 No. 1 reflects a continued emphasis on pragmatic, clinically relevant research that aligns closely with real-world practice, underscoring both the progress being made and the ongoing need for scalable, practice-based evidence. Many MassageNet members already engage regularly with IJTMB and other emerging research literature, and this ongoing attention is part of what strengthens both individual practice and the field overall. Continuing the professional habit of engaging with each quarterly IJTMB issue offers an opportunity for massage clinicians and MassageNet members to stay connected to evolving evidence, see how new findings align with or challenge clinical experience, and identify where practice-based questions can inform future inquiry. Sustained engagement with IJTMB is one of the most direct ways practitioners both contribute to and benefit from the growing, practice-informed evidence base of massage therapy.