Stress Propels Americans to Massage Therapy for Relief

59% of Americans reported they are more stressed this year than they were a year ago, according to a survey sponsored by the American Massage Therapy Association® (AMTA®). 

The current economic situation, or other factors, was found to be a source of great stress for 45% of Americans. Younger Americans and women have felt stressed out due to the economy or other factors. 55% of those ages 25-34 say they are greatly stressed by the economic situation, and 51% of all females agree.

   

Massage therapy for stress reduction

 

 

People are using massage for relaxation/ stress reduction more than in the past. The number one reason people say they received their last massage was relaxation/stress reduction.

 

This year, 36 percent of Americans said they received massage for stress and/ or relaxation in the last five years; compared to 22% last year.

 

38% of Americans say they have considered massage to manage stress.

 

Massage therapy popular among young and lower-income Americans

Younger age groups and lower-income Americans are the most likely group to consider massage for stress or other health reasons.

	65% of 18-24 year olds would consider massage to manage stress.
	46% of those earning less than $25,000 a year receive massage for medical/ health reasons

 

Higher income Americans talk to their doctors about massage… 16% of those earning $50,000 or more discussed massage with their physician, which is nearly twice as many as those earning between $25,000 and $35,000.

 

... and many doctors are recommending massage - 57% of those who talked to their doctor about massage reported that their doctor strongly recommended or encouraged them to receive massage.

	Among 18-24 year olds, nearly 70% said their doctor strongly recommended massage.
	60% of Americans would like to see massage covered by their health insurance plan.

 

Massage for health reasons finds a strong audience among the young and old

Baby boomers most likely to seek massage for medical/ health benefits:

	Among those who received massage in the last five years, 41% where age 55-64.
	44% of those were over 64 and received their last massage for medical/health reasons.
	Younger Americans, aged 18-24, were the next group most likely to seek massage for health reasons;  34% reporting having received massage for medical/ health reasons.
	23% of those in the 25-34 age group reported receiving massage in the last five years for medical/ health reasons.

 

Health Benefits of Massage

 

Cancer

A study published in the journal Cancer studied 4,139 cancer survivors and their use of complementary medicine.

	11.2% of cancer patients use massage as a complementary therapy.
	16.6% of female cancer patients, and 3.9% of male cancer patients use massage.
	Massage was found to be an especially popular complementary therapy with breast and ovarian cancer patients.

 

The therapeutic benefits of massage continue to be researched and studied. Recent research has shown the effectiveness of massage for the following conditions:

	Cancer-related fatigue
	Low back pain
	Osteo-arthritis of the knee
	Reducing post-operative pain
	Boosting the body’s immune system functioning
	Decreasing the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome
	Lowering blood pressure
	Reducing headache frequency
	Easing alcohol withdrawal symptoms
	Decreasing pain in cancer patients