December

Survey says: Massage more popular than ever

A new nationwide survey shows that 47 million adult Americans received massage in the past year; and that massage is ranked on a par with medication as a pain-reliever by people who receive massage.

The nationwide survey was conducted by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA); it marked the ninth annual such survey conducted by the association. Results were released in October.

Among those who received a massage for pain relief, the same percentage of respondents (28 percent) ranked massage therapy and medication as bringing the greatest relief from pain. The latest survey results also show an increase in the number of consumers receiving a massage, with 2 million more people having received a massage than a year ago.

Consumer confidence in massage therapy rose from 2004, with 73 percent of respondents stating they would recommend massage to someone they know, compared to 65 percent a year ago.

The survey also shows increases in the number of health-care providers who promote the benefits of massage to their patients. Twenty-one percent of consumers surveyed said they had discussed massage therapy with their doctor or other health-care provider, up from 14 percent in 2002. When asked who recommended massage therapy, 60 percent of respondents said a physician, followed by a physical therapist (50 percent) and a chiropractor (38 percent).