HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. and DELRAY BEACH, Fla., April 9, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In an effort to address the issue of career longevity for massage therapists, Elements Therapeutic Massage has partnered with imassage, Inc., a massage education and consulting company in Delray Beach, Fla.

According to the Association of Bodywork and Massage Practitioners (ABMP), each year around 60,000 therapists enter the field while 50,000 existing practitioners leave the profession, with the average career span being around six years. This statistic inspired Eric Stephenson, Director of Education for imassage, to take action.

"Our company was founded in 2007 to address the issue of career longevity for massage therapists," says Stephenson. "Everything we do within imassage supports this mission: the higher purpose behind what we do. Elements shares this purpose and we are working together to provide the highest quality work environment for massage therapists within Elements' 120 franchised studios nationwide by focusing on career longevity and continuing education."

Kyle Gjersee, Executive Vice President of Operations for Elements, explains why the company partners with imassage.

"We've actually been working with imassage for more than four years," says Gjersee. "They have a great reputation within the massage community for their focus on putting therapists first and have been integral in helping design our systems and processes. We're excited to take our relationship with them to this next level."

Elements franchisees employ around 2,500 therapists at their studios nationwide. Their studios are poised to become the employer of choice within the industry by addressing the root causes of high turnover: physical burn-out and business naivety.

In Stephenson's opinion, there are several reasons for attrition among professional massage therapists.

"I see a lack of emphasis on optimal body mechanics and ergonomics within massage schools along with a general business naivete amongst practitioners," he says. "This becomes even more problematic with the lack of a supportive work environment to sustain therapists' health and well-being."

Elements Therapeutic Massage is the only retail massage franchise founded by a licensed massage therapist. The model was started in Aurora, Colo., by LMT Michele Merhib. This humble beginning grounded the company in a dedication to taking care of their most valuable asset: massage therapists.

"Assisting our franchisees in creating a great work environment has been our priority," says Gjersee. "From the design of our studios to the size of the massage rooms to the number of massages a therapist can do in a day."

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Elements Therapeutic Massage Partners With imassage, Inc. to Address Career Longevity for Massage Therapists