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Annual survey looks at growth of massage therapy over 10
years
(Evanston, IL - October 23, 2006) - Massage therapy has been a growing trend in American
culture, with 39 million American adults – more than one
out of every 6 – getting a massage annually. While
relaxation (26 percent) is still a motive for Americans
integrating massage into their routines, using massage
therapy for medical purposes (30 percent) such as injury
recovery, pain reduction, headache control, and for
their overall health and wellness, is even more
prevalent, according to a recent survey commissioned by
the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA).
The following is a look at how the world of massage
therapy has evolved for Americans, including use in
their healthcare regimens and the growing popularity of
massage for Generations X and Y.
The Rise of Massage in Healthcare
With the growth in the popularity and use of massage
therapy, more people are discussing it with their
doctors and healthcare providers, and more healthcare
professionals are recommending massage therapy as part
of a patient’s overall health.
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On their mind:
Nine million more people discussed massage therapy with
their doctor or healthcare provider this year than five
years ago.
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Doctor’s orders:
Almost twice as many doctors recommended it to their
patients this year than five years ago, among those who
discussed massage therapy with their doctors.
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Providers weigh in:
While physicians led the way for recommending massage
therapy when asked (59 percent), nearly half of all
chiropractors (48 percent) and physical therapists (47
percent) also recommended massage when patients
inquired.
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Insurance adds:
Seventy-nine percent of 25- to 35-year-olds would like
to have their health insurance plan cover massage, the
highest percentage among age groups; 63 percent of
Americans would be more inclined to try massage therapy
if it was offered in conjunction with other healthcare
treatments.
Who’s Getting Massage?
Whether Americans are getting massage therapy at a spa,
as part of their chiropractic visit, at their health
club, or even at work, the use of massage therapy has
increased from 10 years ago.
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More massage:
Twenty-five million more Americans each year are getting
a massage today than they did 10 years ago.
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Men vs. women:
The number of both men and women who received a massage
in the last year has double since 1997 but, at 23
percent, women still get the most massages.
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A booming industry:
Older baby boomers (ages 55 to 64) have tripled their
use of massage over the past 10 years, as did those ages
65 and older.
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Regional reach:
The region that has most increased its use of massage
over the last 10 years is the North Central (up from 8
percent to 19 percent of those surveyed). Use of massage
per year at least doubled in all regions – the Northeast
up from 9 percent to 18 percent, the South up from 7
percent to 16 percent and the West up from 11 percent to
19 percent. The percentage of both metro and non-metro
residents getting massage has increased by 9 percent
points since 1997.
The Future of Massage
One of the reasons massage therapy’s popularity is on
the rise is its use by Americans ages 18 to 34
(Generations X and Y). The annual AMTA surveys points to
the acceptance and use of massage as someone ages, and
considering the younger generations’ views and use of
massage it will likely surpass previous generations as
they rely on massage for therapeutic reasons and stress
relief.
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More than a luxury:
Only 28 percent of Gen Y (18- to 24-year-olds) agree
that massage is just a luxury, compared to 94 percent
that agree it can be beneficial to their health. Gen
Xers agree: 92 percent believe massage can be beneficial
to their health.
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Massage or medication:
Massage therapy was three times more popular as a form
of pain relief among 18- to 24-year-olds than medication
(34 percent for massage versus 10 percent for
medication).
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Pain relief:
Ninety-eight percent of Gen X respondents believe
massage can be an effective way to relieve pain and 37
percent have already had a massage to relieve pain,
while 48 percent of Gen Y have used massage to relieve
pain.
About the Survey Findings
The annual consumer survey was conducted by Opinion
Research Corporation International August 10-13, 2006,
among a national probability sample of 1,013 adults (508
men and 505 women) ages 18 and older, living in private
households in the continental United States. The survey
has a confidence level of plus or minus three percent.
Commissioned by AMTA, this is the tenth annual massage
therapy survey of American consumers.
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American Massage Therapy Association®
