Massage therapists throughout the U.S. celebrated National Massage Therapy Awareness Week in late October, in various and innovative ways. Here are just a few examples:
• In Pennsylvania, a Senate resolution acknowledged the week, and State Senator Tim Solobay commented on that. “Massage therapy is beneficial for a wide variety of health issues, including stress, high blood pressure, fibromyalgia and muscle injury,” Solobay said in a comment posted to his official website. “As part of a holistic approach to patient wellbeing, massage therapy is a growing facet of the future of health care.”
• A Jamestown, North Dakota, group of massage therapists and reflexologists provided $10 massage sessions and helped raise more than $2,700 “to buy food for the Community Action Region VI Weekend Backpack for Kids program,” according to an article in the Jamestown Sun newspaper.
• Brooke Howard, owner of Atoka Massage Therapy in Atoka, Oklahoma, offered free 10-minute massages to new clients to celebrate the week. “You will then see how wonderful, non-awkward, comfortable and relaxing massage therapy can be,” she wrote on her website. ” For all who receive a free trial massage they will also get a free grab bag, chances to win prizes and more special offers for future massage sessions.
• Massage therapists organized a massage-and-wellness expo featuring free table-and-seated massages and drawings for massage sessions in Grand Haven, Michigan, according to an article in the Grand Haven Tribune newspaper.
• In Massachusetts, Governor Deval L. Patrick issued a proclamation regarding the week, which read in part: “Whereas Therapeutic massage can benefit people of all ages; and [r]esearch has shown massage may be helpful in controlling pain, relieving stress, boosting immune system functioning and reducing heart rate and blood pressure; and [t]he United States Bureau of Labor Statistics has found that the employment of massage therapists is expected to increase by 20 percent from 2010 to 2020; and [c]onsumers spend in excess of $2 to $4 billion annually on massage therapy and, recognizing the benefits of massage therapy, insurance companies now cover such services … [I] … urge all the citizens of the Commonwealth to take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance.”
• People who clicked the “Like” button on the Facebook page of HealthQuest Wellness Center, located in Titusville, Florida, could reap a special Awareness Week discount. “We celebrate the recognition of massage therapy as a proven, effective means of preventative health care, as well as a remedial health service,” the company’s Facebook page stated. “We celebrate the increased public awareness that massage therapy is a beneficial treatment for pain and stress relief, as well as postural restructuring and circulation.”
• In Haywood, North Carolina, Haywood Community College massage instructor Susie Hale offered a presentation on the healing benefits of massage, “and students, faculty, staff and community members received free chair massages in the HCC library,” according to an article published in The Mountaineer newspaper. “In addition, participants received free massage oils, lotion and cream.”
National Massage Therapy Awareness Week is an initiative of the American Massage Therapy Association, and 2013 marked the 17th year the week took place.