US massage and skincare services company Massage Envy is to team up with not-for-profit trade body the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA).

The two will join forces to research and develop new programmes that address the things that “matter most” to massage therapists – from self-care to career development – and to create “better workplace environments and opportunities” for them.

Massage Envy and AMTA will work together on four key areas over the next two years:

• Self-care programs focused on body mechanics, warm up and recovery techniques to empower massage therapists and estheticians to put the same focus on themselves as they do on their clients, so they can continue practicing in the profession throughout their career

• Continuing education courses Massage Envy has made free to employees of its franchised locations

• Training for Massage Envy franchisees and managers so they can better understand the needs of therapists, and more successfully lead and support their teams

• Career support including research and strategies regarding compensation and career development for massage therapists.

Massage Envy franchise owners currently employ more than 25,000 therapists in the US overall and will hire 3,500 additional therapists in the next year, the company said.

AMTA president Nathan Nordstrom said: “AMTA is excited to work with Massage Envy to create programs and tools that speak to the interests of our members and address their biggest needs.”