Essential Bodywork

Overview

• ABMP (Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals) is a leading professional association and support organization for massage therapists, bodyworkers, students, schools, and related professionals, offering comprehensive liability insurance, educational resources, business tools, and membership benefits rather than a physical sauna or spa facility.
• The overall atmosphere and experience is professional, supportive, and empowering, emphasizing peace of mind through superior insurance coverage, quick-reference apps, unlimited free continuing education (CE), business management tools, and dedicated member assistance to help build successful careers in massage therapy.

Features & Amenities

• High-Limit Liability Insurance: $2 million per incident / $6 million annual aggregate (individual per member, not shared); occurrence-form coverage protects against late-filed claims; includes premises liability, products liability, legal defense (in addition to limits), no extra charge for additional insured endorsements.
• Specialized Coverage: Hot stone massage, vacuum cupping, business personal property (optional add-on for equipment like tables).
• Mobile Apps:
  • ABMP Five-Minute Muscles: Palpation videos, techniques, origins/insertions for 83 muscles.
  • ABMP Pocket Pathology: Quick-reference for ~200 pathologies, contraindications, research links (developed with Ruth Werner).
• ABMP Edition of PocketSuite: Free online scheduling, HIPAA-compliant intake forms, credit card processing/POS, reminders, cancellation enforcement; setup in 15 minutes.
• Education Center: 350+ (Professional) to 750+ (Certified) hours of free on-demand CE courses from top instructors.
• Magazine & Resources: Award-winning Massage & Bodywork (4x/year), discounts (50+ partners on tables, supplies, etc.), legislative advocacy.
• School-Specific Tools: Student Success Curriculum, Exam Coach (MBLEx prep), forums, free student memberships with insurance.

Services

• Membership Tiers:
  • Student: Free liability insurance during school-sanctioned activities, scholarship drawings, resources (12 months or until graduation).
  • Graduates: $89 first-year professional membership with insurance.
  • Professional: $199/year – insurance, CE, apps, magazine, discounts.
  • Certified: $229/year or $20/month – extra CE, bigger discounts.
  • Associate: For non-U.S./no insurance needs.
  • School Memberships: Free to $350 tiers with student insurance bundles, Exam Coach discounts, business resources.
• Insurance for Employers/Schools: General/professional liability ($850/year), business personal property ($225–$425/year).
• Business Support: Job listings, roster manager, client education materials, dual memberships for cosmetology pros.
• Claims Assistance: Direct support from ABMP team (call ABMP first, not insurer).
• Exam Prep: ABMP Exam Coach for MBLEx.

Pricing

• Student Membership: Free (includes insurance during training).
• Graduate First-Year: $89.
• Professional Membership: $199/year.
• Certified Membership: $229/year or $20/month.
• School Liability Insurance: $850/year (requires school membership; all students need individual coverage).
• Business Personal Property (Schools): $225 ($10K coverage) or $425 ($25K coverage)/year.
• PocketSuite: Free baseline with ABMP membership (premium upgrades optional).
• ABMP Exam Coach (Schools): $65–$120/student (group rates).
• No deductibles on liability; BPP has $250–$500 deductibles.

Location & Hours

• Primarily online/virtual: Accessible via ABMP.com, member portal, apps (iOS/Android/web); U.S.-focused with international associate options.
• Contact: Phone support (800-458-2267), email (e.g., education@abmp.com, employers@abmp.com); proof of insurance available next day after joining.
• Operating Hours: Not explicitly stated; membership/insurance effective next business day after application; 24/7 app access; support during business hours.
• No physical locations emphasized; resources for practitioners worldwide.

Notes

• What makes ABMP special: Highest individual coverage limits (no shared aggregates like competitors), direct member support during claims (empathetic, rapid resolution), all-in-one value (insurance + free CE/apps/tools/magazine/discounts), tailored for massage/bodywork (covers modalities others exclude). Free for students/schools at entry levels; seamless upgrades; strong emphasis on risk minimization, career building, and professional advocacy. Endorsed by members for superior service vs. alternatives like AMTA.