Online Spa Links & Reference

Academy of Anti-Aging Research
The Academy of Anti-Aging Research (A3R) is a society of health care professionals and researchers dedicated to the advancement of anti-aging medicine.

American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) represents 2,800 facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons throughout the world. The AAFPRS is a National Medical Specialty Society of the American Medical Association (AMA), and holds an official seat in both the AMA House of Delegates and the American College of Surgeons board of governors.

American Academy of Dermatology
The American Academy of Dermatology is the largest, most influential and most representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of over 13,700, it represents virtually all practicing dermatologists in the United States.

American Association for Naturopathic Physicians (AANP)
Features a directory of naturopaths. Search by name or location. There is also a list of accredited schools.

American Association of Oriental Medicine (AAOM)
AAOM, formed in 1983, promotes the acceptance of Oriental medicine as a complementary and alternative medical (CAM) therapy. The organization also served as the "springboard for the creation of the National Commission for the Certification of Acupuncturists." A directory of practitioners by state. No free access to publications.

American Chiropractic Association (ACA)
Full-service professional association for chiropractors. There is also an affiliated student association. Limited full-text access to JACA: Journal of the American Chiropractic Association and other publications.

American Dietetic Association (ADA)
The ADA is the nation's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. This site provides information on accreditation for dietetics education, career opportunities, and brief access to current and past issues of the Journal of the American Dietetics Association. The Knowledge Center provides extensive links to resources such as the Food Guide Pyramid, Nutrition Fact Sheets, associations and global nutrition sites, and a referral directory to registered dietitians. The online products and services catalog lists a multitude of books, videos and self-study publications, with special member pricing.

American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA)
The mission of the AMTA is to increase awareness of massage for health and well-being. Extensive information for practitioners as well as anyone interested in the practice of massage. A massage therapy research database provides the latest information on the efficacy of massage and specific techniques. An online job network is provided for members, with information for nonmembers to subscribe. Links to information about the workings of the Association, board of directors, standards of practice, lists of schools, and much more.

American Music Therapy Association (AMTA)
The mission of the AMTA is to advance public awareness of the benefits of music therapy and increase access to quality music therapy services in a rapidly changing world.

American Organization for Bodywork Therapies of Asia (AOBTA)
AOBTA is a national not-for-profit professional association of practitioners of Bodywork Therapies of Asia. All forms that are recognized by AOBTA originally had their roots in China. Over the centuries China, Japan, Thailand, Korea and more recently, North America and Europe have changed and evolved these forms into separate and distinct modalities.

American Polarity Therapy Association (APTA)
Polarity Therapy is a comprehensive health system involving energy-based bodywork, diet, exercise and self- awareness. It works with the Human Energy Field, electro- magnetic patterns expressed in mental, emotional and physical experience. In Polarity Therapy, health is viewed as a reflection of the conditiion of the energy field, and therapeutic methods are designed to balance the field for health benefit. Official web site of the APTA provides information on all aspects of the practice and study of Polarity Therapy.

Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME)
CNME is accepted as the specialized accrediting agency for naturopathic medical education.

Day Spa Association
The Day Spa Association website will guide you to day spa facilities that take their business seriously, and are committed to bring you the best services and products that the spa industry has to offer. The Day Spa Association has established a set of guidelines to help you recognize what to expect from a day spa. The website provides these guidelines, as well as other helpful reference information to the spa-goer.

International Association of Healthcare Practitioners (IAHP)
IAHP is a league of healthcare professionals dedicated to the use and exploration of innovative therapies. The organization was formed to provide a united voice in the field of complementary healthcare — one that would be heard by legislative bodies, insurance regulators, the public and other healthcare providers. IAHP members include medical doctors, osteopathic physicians, doctors of chiropractic, doctors of Oriental medicine, naturopathic physicians, psychiatric specialists, psychologists, dentists, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, acupuncturists, massage therapists and other professional bodyworkers.

International Medical Spa Association (IMSA)
Official Web site of the International Medical Spa Association (IMSA).

International Spa Association (ISPA)
Official Web site of the International SPA Association. ISPA is recognized worldwide as the professional association and voice of the spa industry, representing more than 1,900 wellness facilities and providers from 55 countries.

Rocky Mountain Herbal Institute (RMHI)
The RMHI is a private educational and research organization offering professional training in Chinese herbal sciences since 1987. The institute offers courses to professionals and the general public, publishes textbooks on Chinese herbology, provides healthcare to the public and conducts research projects. This site offers informative articles on Chinese herbology, clinical reports and healthcare politics, plus free access to the TCM HerbLibrary, a database of over 220 herbs of the Chinese material medica. Extensive links to databases and directories of herbal and health resources, practitioner referrals, TCM links, discussion groups and book distributors.

Spa Association
The Spa Association is a resource for information, resources, education, and community in the spa industry that unites medi-spas, dayspas, resorts, hotel spas, and wellness centers.

Tzu Chi Institute
Located in Vancouver, BC, the Tzu Chi Institute focuses on clinical treatment programs, research, and education. Click on Information Resources for an annotated list of complementary and alternative medicine databases. The Research Department designs, conducts and facilitates research projects that support the Institute's Integrated Care Programs. Information is available about ongoing research, how to recommend research topics and how to participate in a research study.

Zero Balancing Association
The Zero Balancing Association was founded in 1991 to promote and support the teaching and practice of Zero-Balancing, a hands-on body/mind system designed by Dr Fritz Smith in 1973 to align body energy with the body's physical structure. It represents the integration of Eastern views of energy with Western views of science, and teaches how to use energy as a working tool in relation to body structure.

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is 1 of the 27 institutes and centers that make up the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NIH is one of eight agencies under the Public Health Service (PHS) in the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

National Cancer Institute
Healing philosophies, approaches, and therapies used in addition to, or instead of, traditional treatments.

Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) - National Institute of Health
The ODS supports research and disseminates research results in the area of dietary supplements. The ODS also provides advice to other Federal agencies regarding research results related to dietary supplements.

InteliHealth - Complimentary & Alternative Medicine
InteliHealth provides credible information from the most trusted sources, including Harvard Medical School and University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. Established in 1996, InteliHealth has become one of the leading online health information companies in the world. Information includes health news and content as well as access to tools and risk assessments. The Healthy Lifestyles section includes a sub-section dedicated to complimentary & alternative medicine.

Spa Massage Alliance
The SpaMassage Alliance is a network of spa leaders and massage professionals and educators dedicated to strengthening their working relationship with each other for the benefit of the greater spa-massage community and the public they serve.

Homeopathic Acadamy of Naturopathic Physicians (HANP)
HANP is affiliated with the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians and is dedicated to excellence in homeopathic education, offering board certification in classical homeopathy to qualified naturopathic physicians. Their quarterly publication, Simillimum, presents case studies, materia medica, industry news and discussion of practical applications of homeopathic concepts. The annual HANP Conference brings together distinguished homeopaths to present cases and promote the advancement of classical homeopathic practice.

National College of Naturopathic Medicine (NCNM)
NCNM, located in Portland, Oregon, is the oldest accredited school of natural medicine in North America. This site offers free access to the library catalog. Six categories of recommended web sites: Basic & Clinical Sciences, Alternative Medicine--General, Botanical Medicine, Homeopathy & Naturopathy, Oriental Medicine, and Physical Medicine & Nutrition.

NaturalHealers.com
If you would like to find massage therapy schools, chiropractic colleges, acupuncture schools, or any school of the natural healing arts, you'll find NaturalHealers.com a great source for information on schools, programs, certification, careers and licensing requirements.

Alternativemedicine.Resourceaid.com
Resource site for everything to do with alternative medicine. Full of newsletters, articles, links and other resources - ALL FREE - in one easy to navigate site to save time and money.

Alternative Medicine - MEDLINEplus Health Information - National Library of Medicine
MEDLINEplus is a goldmine of good health information from the world's largest medical library, the National Library of Medicine. Health professionals and consumers alike can depend on it for information that is authoritative and up to date. MEDLINEplus has extensive information from the National Institutes of Health and other trusted sources on over 500 diseases and conditions.

Complimentary & Alternative Medicine on PubMed, a subset of Natonal Library of Medicine's PubMed

Complementary Medicine - Special Interest Group
Purpose of group is to:
• Generate discussion to define and establish the boundaries of this emerging field • Facilitate dialogue with colleagues working in older related fields such as Chiropractic, Osteopathic, Naturopathic, and Acupuncture traditions • Develop networking and resource sharing

Foundation for the Advancement of Innovative Medicine (FAIM)
FAIM was conceived in 1986 and incorporated in 1989 as a voice for innovative medicine's professionals, patients and suppliers. This Foundation defines innovative medicine as a treatment or therapy of empirical clinical benefit that is yet outside the mainstream of conventional medicine. Innovative medicine is complementary to conventional medicine, offering alternatives as an individual situation may warrant.

Music Therapy: The Power of Music
Examines the power of using popular music, something people already listen to, in therapy. Includes examples of therapeutic messages in popular music as well as original music by Freudian Slip, therapeutic rock band.

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
NCCAM is 1 of the 27 institutes and centers that make up the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NIH is one of eight agencies under the Public Health Service (PHS) in the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

Office of Cancer Complimentary & Alternative Medicine (OCCAM)
OCCAM was established in October 1998 to coordinate and enhance the activities of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in the arena of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). It goal is to:
• Promote and support research within CAM disciplines and modalities as they relate to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer, cancer-related symptoms and side effects of conventional treatment.
• Coordinate NCI’s CAM research and information activities.
• Provide an interface with health practitioners and researchers regarding CAM cancer issues.

University of Maryland School of Medicine - Complementary Medicine Program
This program is an inter-departmental center within the University of Maryland School of Medicine. A leading international center for research, patient care, education and training, we are dedicated to enriching current medical practice through:
• Evaluation of the scientific foundation of complementary medicine
• Integration of evidence-based complementary medical therapies and approaches into patient care (integrative medicine)
• Emphasis on a humanistic approach to healing that values mind, body and spirit and partners with patients in healing.

University of Pittsburgh - Alternative Medicine Homepage
A jumpstation for sources of information on unconventional or alternative, complementary, innovative, integrative therapies. The resources chosen on this page are included with the following criteria in mind: • Is the authorized body for the CAM system
• Provide quality information in an objective manner
• Resource for locating quality CAM literature
• Site to help individuals make informed decisions when selecting CAM modalities or therapies

University of Texas - M.D. Anderson Cancer Center - Complimentary/Integrative Medicine Resources
M. D. Anderson Cancer Center’s Complementary/Integrative Medicine Education Resources (CIMER) website contains evidence-based reviews of complementary or alternative cancer therapies as well as links to other authoritative resources. Detailed scientific reviews are provided to assist health care professionals in guiding patients who would like to integrate these therapies with conventional treatments.

What is Complementary and Alternative Medicine?
Science and Technology - Sixth Report: The published report was ordered by the House of Lords to be printed 21 November 2000. Includes survey reports for CAM use in both the UK and US.

White House Commission on Complimentary & Alternative Medicine
Over the past 30 years, public interest in and use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) systems, approaches, and products has risen steadily in the United States. Depending on how CAM is defined, an estimated 6.5 %1 to as much as 43%2 of the U.S. population has used some form of CAM. The White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy (WHCCAMP) was established in March 2000 to address issues related to access and delivery of CAM, priorities for research, and the need for better education of consumers and health care professionals about CAM. This represents the Commission's final report.

Dictionary of CAM Tearms - NCCAM
List and description of CAM categories.

HerbMed
HerbMed is an interactive, electronic herbal database, which provides hyperlinked access to the scientific data underlying the use of herbs for health. It is an evidence-based information resource for professionals, researchers, and the general public. Each monograph provides human clinical data including case reports, mechanism of action, traditional folk use, contraindications and toxic and adverse effects, related links to PubMed Medline database abstracts, pictures and other web site links.

HealthFinder Index of Alternative Medicine
Selected health information from A to Z — prevention & wellness, diseases & conditions, and alternative medicine — plus medical dictionaries, an encyclopedia, journals, and more.

Index Of Herbal Medicines & Supplements
Created by Natural Standard and the faculty at the Harvard Medical School.

NewsTarget Network/a>
NewsTarget Network covering natural health, medicine and technology.

Treatment Information By Treatment or Therapy
National Center for Complimentary & Alternative Medicine

Massage & Bodywork
Massage & Bodywork is a bimonthly journal for a national audience of massage, bodywork, somatic and esthetic therapy professionals. The latest research, historical perspectives, massage techniques, business information, professional trends, and a variety of regularly featured columns keep the audience in touch with their work, their clients and their health.

Massage Therapy Journal
Publication of the American Massage Therapy Association. Selected articles are available online.

MassageTherapy.com
MassageTherapy.com is a property of Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP), an organization serving the massage, bodywork, somatic and esthetic professions. Established in 1987, ABMP is comprised of more than 40,000 practitioners across the nation and in Canada. The content on massagetherapy.com is for educational purposes only and is not intended as comprehensive modality training or medical advice.

Body Sense Magazine
The editorial mission of Body Sense Magazine is to be a helpful partner in the quest for greater health. Understanding our niche, the breadth of that partnership will focus primarily on the publisher's core of expertise - massage and bodywork (see Massage & Bodywork magazine). Yet, having identified that core does not hinder us, but rather allows us the freedom to explore ancillary alternative health therapies as well.