Massage Envy Spa's CG Funk Inducted Into The Massage Therapy Hall of Fame

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Aug. 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Massage Envy Spa, the largest employer of massage therapists and estheticians in the United States, is pleased to announce that CG Funk, vice president of industry relations and product development, has been inducted into the Massage Therapy Hall of Fame. Developed by the World Massage Festival, the Massage Therapy Hall of Fame was created to acknowledge those who have made a national impact in the massage therapy industry by building bridges for others in the profession.

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"It is a true honor to be included among this group of industry leaders and innovators," said Funk. "Massage therapy has given me so much over my career, and I'm thrilled to be able to give back and continue to support therapists, students of massage therapy and our wonderful industry."

The 2013 World Massage Festival was held last month aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California. In addition to being honored during the Massage Therapy Hall of Fame ceremony, Funk and her team from Massage Envy Spa were also the student-day sponsors of the event. Through this sponsorship, the brand had the opportunity to speak to 90 massage therapy students from across Los Angeles during a luncheon about the benefits and unique opportunities provided by a career in the wellness industry.

Funk began her career in 1992 as a massage therapist. She is a licensed massage therapist in the state of Arizona and a graduate of the Utah College of Massage Therapy (UCMT). Following graduation, she became an instructor for UCMT, teaching several modalities and developing courses and programs. She moved into UCMT's corporate office and supported campus expansion as the Faculty Trainer, implementing faculty-training programs for the school's seven campuses and 350 faculty members. In addition, Funk also held the positions of campus director for UCMT's Arizona campuses and campus director trainer for UCMT's corporate office. Following her tenure with UCMT, Funk went on to become campus president for the Cortiva Institute's Phoenix and Scottsdale campuses.

As the vice president of industry relations and product development for Massage Envy Spa, Funk is responsible for developing national programs for therapist recruitment and retention while researching, developing and testing new treatment offerings. Furthermore, she creates and implements training materials, policies and procedures for the brand's 21,000 massage therapists and hundreds of franchisees. Funk also spearheads Massage Envy Spa's national efforts to build longstanding relationships with national massage therapy schools and various associations in the wellness industry.

Now, more than ever, people are recognizing the value of alternative wellness services such as massage therapy. As popularity increases, so do professional massage therapist and esthetician career opportunities. According to U.S. News & World Report, massage therapy was named one of The Best Jobs in 2012 and the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects massage therapist employment growth of more than 20 percent between 2010 and 2020, adding 30,900 more jobs to the 153,700 jobs currently in the field. In the 11 years since its inception, Massage Envy Spa has created 21,000 new massage therapists positions and projects to add 1,500 new positions annually through 2018.

"As the nation's leading employer of massage therapists and estheticians, Massage Envy Spa provides a unique opportunity for those who want to realize their dreams of becoming a professional massage therapist," said Funk. "Massage therapy is one of the fastest growing healthcare professions in the United States today and Massage Envy Spa is committed to providing therapists with the opportunity to succeed in this fast-growing profession."

Today, a career in massage therapy offers incredible growth and creative employment opportunities including flexible work schedules, active and healthy work environments and sustainable incomes. Massage Envy Spa is the country's largest employer of licensed/registered massage therapists with more than 21,000 therapists providing over 250,000 massages every week.

There are nearly 900 locations operating in 48 states, making Massage Envy Spa the largest system of franchised massage clinics in the industry. Massage Envy Spa therapists perform 16 million massages a year to a total of more than 1.3 million members. 

Massage Envy Spa offers a variety of massage treatments including Swedish, Trigger Point, Deep Tissue, Sports, Prenatal and Geriatric. The proven benefits of routine massage include improved circulation, joint flexibility and posture, relief from pain and swelling caused by arthritis, reduced blood pressure, fatigue, migraine pain and stress, as well as improved sleep, concentration and overall sense of well-being. Additionally, Massage Envy Spa offers facials designed by Dr. Murad, the leader in skincare science. Guests and members can choose from four different Murad^® Healthy Skin facials including Environmental Shield^® Vitamin C, Clarifying Enzyme Acne, Anti-Aging and Sensitive Skin.

To learn more about Massage Envy Spa careers, visit www.massageenvycareers.com.

About Massage Envy Spa

Massage Envy Spa, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, is the leading provider of therapeutic massage in the United States. The national franchise is dedicated to providing professional and affordable therapeutic massage and spa services to members and guests with busy lifestyles at convenient times and locations. Founded in 2002, Massage Envy Spa has nearly 900 locations in 48 states.  In addition, the average unit volume for a Massage Envy Spa is $1.3 million. Through its national partnership with the Arthritis Foundation, Massage Envy Spa has raised more than $1 million in two, one-day Healing Hands for Arthritis events. The company was recently ranked #81 in Entrepreneur's 2013 Franchise 500 and #29 in its Fastest Growing Franchise rankings. Massage Envy Spa is a member of the International Franchise Association (IFA) and was named a 2013 Military Friendly Franchise. For more information, visit MassageEnvy.com.

Contact:
Amanda DelPrete
954-893-9150
[email protected]

SOURCE Massage Envy Spa