About TouchPro International
Improving health and lives with the original chair massage training
What We Do
Setting the Standard in Chair Massage Since 1986.
At TouchPro, we believe that chair massage is more than just a technique – it’s a specialty that has transformed the way people access, enjoy, and benefit from professional massage therapy. With over 40 years of expertise, we are dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations with the training, tools, and resources they need to elevate chair massage to a professional art.
Founded by David Palmer, widely regarded as the “Father of Chair Massage,” TouchPro has been at the forefront of bringing safe, convenient, and affordable chair massage to the world.
Through David’s innovation, the first professional portable massage chair was developed, revolutionizing the way massage is delivered.
Over the past three decades, we’ve trained over 12,000 chair massage professionals, and our techniques have been embraced by massage schools across the globe.
Our Commitment
Our Mission
We are committed to promoting the benefits of chair massage and the power of skilled touch to enhance overall health and well-being. Beyond hands-on training, we strive to be your ultimate resource for all things chair massage—from professional education and equipment to expert advice on growing your practice.
World-Class Training
Whether you join us online or in-person, our programs provide time-tested and comprehensive instruction, ensuring you have the skills and confidence to succeed. Chair massage is a specialty—not just “table massage lite”—and we equip you with the knowledge to master it.
World-Class Training
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Whether you join us online or in-person, our programs provide time-tested and comprehensive instruction, ensuring you have the skills and confidence to succeed. Chair massage is a specialty—not just “table massage lite”—and we equip you with the knowledge to master it.
The Right Tools, Developed by Experts
Explore the only portable massage chair developed by our founder, David Palmer, and see why it’s trusted by professionals worldwide. Quality matters, and our equipment is built to support you and your clients.
The Right Tools, Developed by Experts
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Explore the only portable massage chair developed by our founder, David Palmer, and see why it’s trusted by professionals worldwide. Quality matters, and our equipment is built to support you and your clients.
Essential Resources
From in-depth guides to marketing tips, our virtual library provides valuable insights for both beginners and seasoned practitioners looking to thrive in the massage industry.
Essential Resources
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From in-depth guides to marketing tips, our virtual library provides valuable insights for both beginners and seasoned practitioners looking to thrive in the massage industry.
TouchPro Founder
David A. Palmer
Pioneering the Modern Chair Massage Movement
David Palmer, often referred to as the “father” of modern chair massage, is a groundbreaking figure in the massage therapy industry. His revolutionary contributions have reshaped how professionals approach seated massage, and his work continues to influence millions worldwide.
Massage Magazine hailed David as the “father” of contemporary Chair Massage in 1997 for his pivotal role in shaping this specialized bodywork technique. That same year, the American Massage Therapy Association honored him with the prestigious President’s Award for his groundbreaking contributions to the industry. A decade later, his legacy was solidified with an induction into the Massage Therapy Hall of Fame.
How it Began
Starting a Revolution!
The Insight
In 1982, David Palmer was training massage students in a small San Francisco school when he had a simple insight: most people would never get a professional massage. Table massage was too expensive, it required disrobing in private rooms, and it took far too much time.
The Solution
David began developing an approach that kept the customer seated, clothed, and required only a short amount of time. He called it “seated massage.”
The Invention
After four years experimenting with seated massage on stools at companies like Apple Computer, David conceived of a special chair that would make it comfortable for people to give and receive seated massage. In 1986, the first professional massage chair was introduced, and a new service industry was born.
