World Massage Festival
Massage Therapy Hall of Fame
Read our Philosophy - The Bridge Builder
Ralph Stephens
2008 Massage Therapy Hall of Fame Member
Ralph R. Stephens, LMT, NCTMB, Certified Sports Massage Therapist, Certified Neuromuscular Therapist - St. John Method - Highly acclaimed, internationally recognized, Ralph has worked with many Olympic and All-American athletes since the beginning of his massage career 21 years ago.
He was a sports Massage Team Leader/Instructor for the Winter Para-Olympics in Winter Park, CO. He specializes in treating people with pain and injuries. A popular presenter at national, regional and state meetings, he teaches seminars across the country in Seated Therapeutic Massage, Sports Massage and Medical Massage.
He is a published author, writing a bi-monthly editorial column in Massage Today Magazine, numerous other articles in magazines and journals as well and textbooks. Ralph's first textbook, Therapeutic Chair Massage was released in 2005. He has been a contributing author to two other textbooks. He has written and produced 15 video/DVD training programs:
He was a sports Massage Team Leader/Instructor for the Winter Para-Olympics in Winter Park, CO. He specializes in treating people with pain and injuries. A popular presenter at national, regional and state meetings, he teaches seminars across the country in Seated Therapeutic Massage, Sports Massage and Medical Massage.
He is a published author, writing a bi-monthly editorial column in Massage Today Magazine, numerous other articles in magazines and journals as well and textbooks. Ralph's first textbook, Therapeutic Chair Massage was released in 2005. He has been a contributing author to two other textbooks. He has written and produced 15 video/DVD training programs:
Seated Therapeutic Massage, volumes 1 - 3
The Feel Great! Hands-On Health Series, 4 tapes
Event Sports Massage
Therapeutic Sports Massage for the Lower Extremity
Anatomy of the Lower Extremity
Side-Lying Therapeutic Massage
Medical Massage for the Cervical Region
Medical Massage for the Lumbar Region
Medical Massage for the Abdominal Wall
Golf-Flexology
Entertaining and inspiring, Ralph is known for making concepts, techniques, and anatomy easy to understand and fun to learn.
Ralph graduated from Iowa State University with a BS in Industrial Education. He worked as a professional musician (drummer/vocalist) in several regional bands, one of which, RURAL, has been inducted in to the Iowa Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. While on the road with the Deputy Dawg Band, Ralph discovered therapeutic massage. When Deputy Dawg broke up, Ralph went to the New Mexico School of Natural Therapeutics in Albuquerque. He returned to Iowa and opened the first office practice of massage therapy open to the public in Iowa City in 1986. The practice expanded to include three associate therapists and a DC. Once Ralph began teaching full time, he closed the center but maintains a home-office practice.
Golf is Ralph’s primary recreation. He actively practices Yoga and meditation. Occasionally he still performs music.
Ralph has been an active volunteer in The American Massage Therapy Association. He founded the Iowa Sports Massage Team in 1986 and served as Iowa AMTA Chapter President, First Vice President, Convention Chairperson, Education Chairperson and Sports Massage Team Chairperson. He served three terms on The AMTA National Board of Directors, three terms as a Trustee of the AMTA Foundation and two terms on the AMTA National Nominating Committee.
In 1997, Ralph was awarded the AMTA National Meritorious Award for Leadership, Dedication and Commitment.
Ralph served four terms on the Iowa Board of Examiners for Massage Therapy. He was elected Secretary of the Board from 1992-1995 and Chairperson from 1995-2000.
DON'T MISS any opportunity to study with this award winning instructor in person at live seminars or by video tape programs.
CEU's from Ralph's live seminars are approved for NCBTMB, AMTA and Iowa renewals.
For more information on live seminars, check out the seminar pages on this site. Other States have also approved Ralph's seminars for CEU's. Check with the individual promotor of the seminar or with your State Board Office for approval information.
Ralph Stephens is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) as a continuing education provider under Category A since 1996, provider #037587-00.
Click Here to read Ralph's speech.Ralph graduated from Iowa State University with a BS in Industrial Education. He worked as a professional musician (drummer/vocalist) in several regional bands, one of which, RURAL, has been inducted in to the Iowa Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame. While on the road with the Deputy Dawg Band, Ralph discovered therapeutic massage. When Deputy Dawg broke up, Ralph went to the New Mexico School of Natural Therapeutics in Albuquerque. He returned to Iowa and opened the first office practice of massage therapy open to the public in Iowa City in 1986. The practice expanded to include three associate therapists and a DC. Once Ralph began teaching full time, he closed the center but maintains a home-office practice.
Golf is Ralph’s primary recreation. He actively practices Yoga and meditation. Occasionally he still performs music.
Ralph has been an active volunteer in The American Massage Therapy Association. He founded the Iowa Sports Massage Team in 1986 and served as Iowa AMTA Chapter President, First Vice President, Convention Chairperson, Education Chairperson and Sports Massage Team Chairperson. He served three terms on The AMTA National Board of Directors, three terms as a Trustee of the AMTA Foundation and two terms on the AMTA National Nominating Committee.
In 1997, Ralph was awarded the AMTA National Meritorious Award for Leadership, Dedication and Commitment.
Ralph served four terms on the Iowa Board of Examiners for Massage Therapy. He was elected Secretary of the Board from 1992-1995 and Chairperson from 1995-2000.
DON'T MISS any opportunity to study with this award winning instructor in person at live seminars or by video tape programs.
CEU's from Ralph's live seminars are approved for NCBTMB, AMTA and Iowa renewals.
For more information on live seminars, check out the seminar pages on this site. Other States have also approved Ralph's seminars for CEU's. Check with the individual promotor of the seminar or with your State Board Office for approval information.
Ralph Stephens is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) as a continuing education provider under Category A since 1996, provider #037587-00.
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