CHAMPIONSHIP CATEGORIES DEFINED - You will report your chosen categories (up to 2) in person on April 24th between 10 am and 12 pm

These definitions have been taken from the IMA website.

1. Swedish Massage

• Massage should contain Effleurage, Petrissage, Tapotement, Friction and Vibration.

• Declare “relaxation” or “therapeutic.”

• Tools are allowed (recommended for maximum 20%)

• Stretching and forearms are allowed (recommended for maximum 20%). If you are using more than 20% tools, forearms or stretching, then you need to be in the Wellness Category.

• Is mostly performed on a massage table, but can be done on a floor mattress

• If on a Massage Chair the participant should choose the Chair massage category. Innovation will be a big criteria with this sub-modality. This sub-modality is effectively “Western Freestyle Light” with less stretching flare and less new innovative techniques, or “Wellness” with less tools and flash.

2. Sports massage

Please declare that you are doing either pre-event or post-event

• Stretching and mobilization of joints in combination with massage techniques is allowed (recommended for maximum 30%)

• Use of tools is allowed (recommended for maximum 30%)

• It is mostly performed on a massage table or mattress

• If on Massage Chair the participant should choose the Chair massage category

3. Wellness massage

It includes all services that are provided in spa and wellness centers such as Cellulite therapy, Hot stones massage, Bamboo and other wellness techniques.

• Stretching is allowed

• Mobilization of joint is allowed

• The use of special equipment like stones, bamboo, cups is allowed

• It can be performed on a massage table as well as on mattress

• If on Massage Chair the participant should choose the Chair massage category

4. Freestyle Massage (Eastern Inspired)

Techniques that are derived from Eastern massage styles such as Shiatsu, Thai massage, Tui na, Acupressure and Reflexology as well other Asian techniques.

• Use of tools is allowed (recommended for maximum 50%)

• Stretching is allowed

• Mobilization of joint is allowed

• The use of oil is allowed

• It is performed on a mattress or on a massage table

• If on Massage Chair the participant should choose the Chair massage category

5. Freestyle Massage (Western Inspired)

Techniques that are derived from Western massage styles such as Swedish massage, Myofascial release, Muscle energy techniques, Sports massage, California massage and other Western techniques.

Use of tools is allowed (recommended for maximum 50%)

• Stretching is allowed

• Mobilization of joint is allowed

• The use of oil is allowed.

• It is performed on a mattress or on a massage table

• If on Massage Chair the participant should choose the Chair massage category

6. Chair Massage

The style is mostly performed with the receiver seated on a special chair. Techniques that are derived from both Western and Eastern inspired massage techniques such as Swedish massage, Thai massage, Shiatsu, Hot stones, as well as many other techniques.

• Use of tools is allowed

• Stretching is allowed

• Mobilization of joint is allowed

• The use of oil is allowed

• It is performed on a chair

7. Facial Massage

It includes all Facial techniques such as Kobido, Japanese Face-Lifting, Swedish, Wellness as well as many other techniques and services that are provided in spa and wellness centers.

• Use of tools is allowed

• Stretching is allowed

• Mobilization of joint is allowed

• The use of oil is allowed

• Massage of neck, chest and arms is allowed (recommended for maximum 20%)

8. Student (non-IMA category)

This category is for students. Students are defined as an individual who is currently enrolled and active in the clinic stage of the massage program OR have graduated but not licensed in that state YET, not to exceed one year.

• In states without licensure, if an individual has graduated and is practicing massage for no more than a year.

• In most states the school representative will need to attend. Please consult with your state guidelines.

• This is not an IMA category. It is an approved category for the states. This category will not be at AMC. If you are a student and enter AMC, You will need to pick from one of the other categories for professionals.

9. Barefoot Bodywork Category (non-IMA category)

This is not an IMA category. It is a new approved category for the states. This category will be at AMC 2025. This category has its own scorecard.

• Use a variation or combination of techniques used in Barefoot Modalities.

• The Purpose of the Barefoot Bodywork Category is to have a place for Compressive Barefoot Bodywork modalities in Championship events.

• Inclusive of Barefoot Modalities such as Ashiatsu Bar Therapy, Sarga Bodywork, Rossiter, Fijian Massage, Chavutti Thirummal.

• Innovation is encouraged. Showcase your development of new sequences, your unique style, and the execution of these innovations.

• Traditional Thai Massage should be in Nuad Thai Category, Table Thai should be in Freestyle Eastern or Western.

• If you are showcasing Sarga Bodywork, you must have obtained certification.

10. Clinical Category - 30 minutes + debrief/interviews (non_IMA category)

This is not an IMA category. It is AMC approved & ACMA approved for states. You can use any modality or combination of techniques in this category.

Do not start before the start time is called. Once you are told you can start, you must then…

• Assess your client/patient area of complaint and document it.

• Treat the area of complaint.

• Reassess the area of complaint and document.

• Be able to exhibit efficacy

You must do all of this within 30 minutes. Then you can complete any notes, while your client/patient gets dressed and goes to their debrief/interview. After all clients have been debriefed, the therapist will be debriefed one by one before the judges panel.

You didn’t come this far to stop, register today!