October 2005

Massage therapy grows in popularity

Approximately 47 million adult Americans received a massage within the past year, according to results of a new consumer survey released today by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA). The latest numbers also show a continued increase in the number of consumers receiving a massage, with 2 million more people having received a massage than a year ago.

The nationwide survey also reveals that, 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. This marks the first time in the AMTA survey’s nine-year history that massage has tied medication as the therapy consumers use to provide them with the greatest relief from pain.

Consumer confidence in massage therapy is also up sharply, with 73 percent stating they would recommend it to someone they know, compared to 65 percent a year ago.

The survey also shows increases in the number of healthcare 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 healthcare 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).

The annual consumer survey was conducted by Opinion Research Corporation International August 11–14, 2005, among a national probability sample of 1,014 adults (506 men and 508 women) ages 18 and older, living in private households in the continental United States. The survey has a confidence level of plus or minus 3 percent. Commissioned by AMTA, this is the ninth annual massage therapy survey of American consumers.

Source: American Massage Therapy Association, www.amtamassage.org

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