Russell Borner, LMT
Celebrating over 40 years as a Massage Therapist
February 2025
Nominated by the AMTA-NY board. Written by Shawn Belles, Membership Engagement Chair.
For twenty-four years, Russell served as a District Manager for AT&T. After spending a month in alcoholic rehabilitation, he realized he wanted to make some significant changes in his life. Russell committed to living his life alcohol-free and discovered that he had an affinity for structured touch. After graduating from the Swedish Institute of Massage Therapy in New York, Russell started his career providing in-home massage to Westchester, Bergan, and Manhattan areas.
In 1986, Russell joined his colleague David Palmer, “the father of chair massage,” to form TouchPro International, providing chair massage training to thousands of Massage Therapists in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Israel. During that time, Russell also formed his company, International Health Systems Inc., to provide chair massage services to small & large corporate clients, including AT&T, NBC, Moody’s, W.R. Grace, and NYU.
Russell joined the AMTA in 1986 as the Director of Education and was involved with hosting one of the first massage therapist retreats in Phoenicia, NY, before the idea of AMTA having an annual state convention. Russell also served as the Co-Chairman of the National AMTA’s standard committee for several years.
This April, Russell will turn 85. He conducts a full-time practice with his wife, Candice, who is also a Massage Therapist and Esthetician. After 41 years of sobriety, Russell is passionate about advocating for Massage Therapy in the Recovery Treatment Model for Alcoholics. Russell continues to advocate for programs to the state and national AMTA boards on the subject of addiction, specifically for alcohol abuse.
Russell likes to live his life by these three principles:
Do what you love, and you’ll never work another day in your life.
Do what you love, and the money will follow because you’ll do it well enough to command whatever you need materially.
Do what you love, and the word “Retirement” will no longer exist in your lexicon.
The AMTA-NY chapter is proud to have Russell Borner as a member who continues to advance the art, science, and practice of massage therapy. If you know Russell, make sure to say thanks for everything he does to strengthen our profession!
Would You Like To Nominate an AMTA Member for the Spotlight?
Each month, we’ll recognize a member based on your nominations! To submit a nominee and explain why you think we should highlight them, contact membershipengagement@amta-ny.org. We’re looking forward to recognizing more amazing AMTA-NY members!