Surveys Track 10 Years of Growth in Use of Massage
The American Massage Therapy Association recently completed its 10th annual Massage Therapy Consumer Survey. This survey quizzes consumers on their use of massage and views of massage therapy, and helps AMTA track the growth of massage as an accepted part of people’s routine health care and well-being.
than 1 in 6 American adults had a massage in the past year-25 million more Americans than 10 years ago, according to AMTA’s surveys. When AMTA began commissioning these surveys in 1997, only 8 percent of adults said they had a massage in the past year. In 2006, 18% said they had a massage in the past year.
In the past, relaxation was the leading motivator for massage, but increasingly Americans are looking to massage therapy for injury recovery, pain relief and management, headache control, and overall health and wellness.
In this year’s survey, 40% of adults said they have had a massage at some time to relieve pain. Thirty percent of people who had a massage in the past five years did it for health reasons other than stress relief. Fifty-three percent of those who discussed massage with their health care providers said their doctor recommended they get massage therapy.
Younger people indicate that massage can be a valuable part of their personal health routine. This year, 72% of respondents aged 18 to 24 disagree with the idea that massage is just a luxury. Ninety-two percent say they believe massage can be an effective way to relieve pain, while 48% have already had a massage to relieve pain.
Older Americans are increasing their use of massage as well. Annual use has tripled over the past 10 years for hose aged 55-64, from 7% in 1997 to 21% in 2006, and for ages 65 and up, from 4% in 1997 to 12% in 2006.
Ten years of data show not only that the general use of massage has increased, but also that public understanding of its benefits has grown. Americans of all ages are having massage more often and that’s a big step.
From Hands On, Issue no. 6, The Newsletter of the American Massage Therapy Association