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Following are
findings of a telephone survey conducted by Opinion Research Corporation
International, Princeton, NJ, and commissioned by the American Massage
Therapy Association (AMTA). The survey was conducted August 5-8, 2004
among a national probability sample of 1,009 adults (507 men and 502 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. This
is the eighth annual survey of American consumers commissioned by AMTA.
Massage for Pain Management & Relief
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Ninety percent of respondents agreed that massage can be effective
in reducing pain.
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Nearly half (49 percent of those polled) have had a massage at some
time to relieve pain; compared to 47 percent who gave the same response
in 2003.
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Massage follows medication as the form of pain relief respondents
said gave the greatest relief from pain: 30 percent said medication,
followed by 21 percent for massage therapy, 19 percent chiropractic and
16 percent physical therapy.
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Therapy for an injury would motivate more people to have regular
massage (17 percent) than any reason other than a discount or free
massage (23 percent). Among 18-24 year olds, 31 percent said injury
therapy would be their motivator vs. discount or free massage (25
percent). Among those 65 years and older, therapy for an injury also is
a greater motivator for regular massage (21 percent) than discount or
free massage (11 percent)
Popularity and Use of Massage
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More than one in five adults surveyed (21 percent) received a
massage within the past 12 months - maintaining the same percentage
as reported n 2003, and representing a 13-point jump since 1997.
Twenty-seven percent of those ages 35-44 and 26 percent of
African-Americans had a massage within the last 12 months.
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Thirty-two percent of respondents received a massage within the
past five years - equaling 2003 survey results.
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Sixty-five percent of those polled would recommend massage
therapy to someone they know; 75 percent of African-Americans and 78
percent of Hispanics would recommend massage therapy.
Massage on the Rise in African-American Population
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Twenty-six percent of African-American respondents had a
massage in the past 12 months, compared to 21 percent of the
overall population. This is a 12 percentage point jump since
2003.
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Thirty-five percent of African-American respondents had a
massage in the past 5 years, compared to 32 percent of the
overall population.
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Among African-American respondents who discussed massage
with their physicians or other healthcare providers, 83 percent
of the healthcare providers strongly recommended or encouraged
massage, compared to 47 percent in 2003.
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Physicians and physical therapists were the healthcare
providers who most recommended massage to their African-American
patients - 59 percent of physicians vs. 46 percent in 2003; and
76 percent of physical therapists vs. 41 percent in 2003.
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While 36 percent of all adults reported receiving massage
for medical reasons in the last five years, 43 percent of
African-American adults did so.
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Among medical reasons for massage, 11 percent of all
respondents received massage for injury recovery or
rehabilitation in the past five years, while 23 percent of
African-American respondents did so.
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Eighteen percent of all respondents say they had a massage
for relaxation or stress relief in the past five years, while 22
percent of African-American adults did so.
Positive View of Massage by Healthcare Providers
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One in five of those polled (20 percent) say they have
discussed massage therapy with their doctor or other
healthcare provider, up from 14 percent in 2002.
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For those who discussed massage therapy with their
healthcare providers, 62 percent of the providers strongly
recommended or encouraged their patients to get a massage.
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Of those who indicated that a healthcare professional
had recommended massage therapy, 61 percent indicated it was
a physician, 45 percent said massage therapy was recommended
by a physical therapist, and 42 percent by a chiropractor.
Where Americans are Getting Their Massages
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People receive massage in a variety of locations,
from their homes to massage therapists’ offices to spas
- 21 percent received their last massage at a spa.
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Seventeen percent received their last massage in the
massage therapist’s location, while the third most
common location for where people received their last
massage was at home or in the home of someone they know.
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Asked to list their top three choices for where they
would prefer to receive a professional massage, 30
percent of respondents said they prefer a spa [while 37
percent of African-American respondents and 39 percent
of Hispanics prefer a spa]. Twenty-six percent prefer to
receive professional massage at home, and 23 percent
prefer the massage therapist’s location.
Regional Differences
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The southern U.S. saw the biggest jump from 2003
in those who had a massage within the past 12 months
– from 16 percent responding this way in 2003 to 23
percent in 2004.
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More people in the Northeast (32 percent) expect
to get massage within the next 12 months.
Twenty-nine percent in the region had this
expectation in 2003.
The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) is a professional
association of more than 50,000 members. AMTA professional members have
demonstrated a level of skill and knowledge through education and/or
testing and must meet continuing education requirements to retain
membership.
The American Massage Therapy Association provides information about
massage therapy to the public. The association also helps consumers and
healthcare professionals locate qualified massage therapists nationwide,
through its Find a Massage Therapist national locator service.
The free national locator service is available via AMTA’s Web site at
www.amtamassage.org and toll-free at 888-843-2682 [888-THE-AMTA].
The American Massage Therapy Association
500 Davis St., Suite 900, Evanston, IL 60201-4695
Telephone: (847) 864-0123 Fax: (847) 864-1178
Web site: www.amtamassage.org
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American Massage Therapy Association®
