For Immediate Release

AMERICANS AND THEIR DOCTORS INCREASINGLY RECOGNIZE MASSAGE THERAPY’S MEDICAL BENEFITS NATIONAL SURVEY REPORTS

CHICAGO, IL – Americans and their physicians are increasingly recognizing the medical value of therapeutic massage, according to a national survey released today by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA).

Not only are American adults having more massages, but those who discuss it with their physicians report a high percentage of favorable reaction. A total of 76 percent of those who raised the issue of massage with their doctors reported that the conversation was positive, according to the survey. A total of 1,007 American adults were surveyed by Opinion Research Corporation, Princeton, N.J.; the survey carries a confidence factor of + 3 percent. It is the second annual consumer survey to be commissioned by AMTA.

"Consumers are seeing massage therapy as more than just alternative therapy and as a part of their overall health care," said Houston LeBrun, president of AMTA. "Physicians are increasingly prescribing therapeutic massage and more insurers are covering it. AMTA members are being sought out by more and more employers to give their stressed out employees onsite massages. This is really preventive care."

According to the survey, the proportion of Americans who report that they have had a massage from a massage therapist in the past 12 months increased to 13 percent in 1998 from 8 percent in 1997. Americans reporting getting a massage in the past two years increased to 18 percent from 13 percent. And, the number of people who said they received one or more massages from a therapist in the past five years increased to 22 percent from 17 percent.

More adults in 1998 said they think of massage as something that is therapeutic, compared to 1997 (52 percent vs. 45 percent). Only 23 percent in both 1998 and 1997 consider massage something that just feels good.

Far more adults in 1998 are aware of the benefits of having a massage than in 1997. Almost three out of four (72 percent) American adults in 1998 could name some form of benefit that would motivate a person to have a massage, compared to only 55 percent in 1997. Thirty percent said they would have a massage from a massage therapist for a specific health benefit including relief from muscle soreness, pain reduction and injury recovery.

Some of the most notable increases in the view that massage is therapeutic are among women (57 percent, from 47 percent), those 35 years old and older (53 percent, from 43 percent), those in the West (62 percent, from 48 percent), those living alone (55 percent, from 44 percent), and those who have not attended college (50 percent, from 38 percent).

The number of men who had one or more massages from a massage therapist doubled to 12 percent from 1997 to 1998, while 14 percent of women reported getting a massage from a massage therapist in the same period.

The number of massages reported by adults aged 18-24 remained the same in 1997 and 1998, but the number of massages received by Americans aged 25-54 increased significantly. Americans aged 25-34 who received a massage in the past five years increased from 22 percent to 31 percent; Americans aged 35-44 rose from 18 percent to 25 percent; and Americans aged 45-54 increased from 16 percent to 22 percent.

The American Massage Therapy Association is a professional organization of more than 35,000 members. AMTA Professional members have demonstrated a certain level of skill and knowledge through education and/or testing. New Professional members must be graduates of training programs accredited or approved by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation, or be Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork, and have all current city, state or provincial licenses for the area in which they practice.

AMTA provides information about massage therapy to consumers and will help consumers and healthcare professionals locate qualified massage therapists in their area. Contact AMTA, 500 Davis Street, 9th Floor, Suite 100, Evanston, IL 60201-4444; phone (847) 864-0123; fax (847) 864-1178 or visit AMTA’s web site at www.amtamassage.org.

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