American Massage Therapy Association^®

MASSAGE THERAPY ON THE RISE IN AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY

National Survey Shows African-Americans Increasingly Seeking Massage Therapy for Pain and Stress Relief

(Evanston, IL - October 18, 2004) - A new consumer survey released today by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) reveals that African-Americans, more than any other segment of the population, are increasingly using massage therapy to manage and relieve pain and reduce stress. While 21 percent of the overall adult population said they had received massage from a massage therapist during the last 12 months, more than one in four (26 percent) African-Americans surveyed indicated they’d visited a massage therapist at least once during the previous year, an increase of 12 percentage points since 2003.

One reason more African-American consumers may be seeking out massage therapy is because of recommendations and encouragement from their doctors and healthcare providers. While clinical research has shown that massage is effective in caring for a broad range of ailments, physicians and healthcare providers have been particularly effective in communicating the health benefits of massage therapy to their African-American patients in the last year. Among African-American respondents who discussed massage therapy with their physicians or other healthcare providers, 83 percent said massage was strongly recommended or encouraged for them, compared to 47 percent in 2003 and 62 percent of the general population this year. Specifically, the percentage of physicians and physical therapists who recommended massage for their African-American patients has grown dramatically. The number of physicians recommending massage for their African-American patients has grown from 46 percent in 2003 to 59 percent in 2004, and among physical therapists that number jumped from 41 percent last year to 76 percent this year.

With so many healthcare providers informing African-Americans that massage therapy may benefit them, it’s no wonder that African-Americans turn to massage for medical reasons at a higher level than the overall population. While 36 percent of all adults who had a massage in the past five years indicated having a massage for medical reasons, 43 percent of African-American adults in that group did so. African-Americans are more likely to have received a massage for injury recover or rehabilitation (23 percent) during the last five years than the general population (11 percent) and for stress relief and relaxation (22 percent compared to 18 percent of all respondents).

"While massage therapy continues to be popular among all adults, this year’s survey findings demonstrate that African-American consumers and their healthcare providers are increasingly recognizing that massage therapy has real health benefits, including the ability to help manage and relieve pain," said Laurel J. Freeman, president of AMTA. "Studies have shown that massage is effective in caring for a broad range of ailments, and can be more effective for chronic back pain than other complementary therapies. It can help alleviate the perception of pain and anxiety in cancer patients, lessen pain in those who have undergone heart bypass surgery, and stimulate the brain to produce endorphins." Massage therapy also can help relieve stress and help reduce heart rate and blood pressure. Research has shown that massage can boost the body’s immune system functioning and increase the body’s natural "killer cells" activity.

The annual consumer survey was conducted by Opinion Research Corporation International 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. Commissioned by AMTA, this is the eighth annual massage therapy survey of American consumers. AMTA is releasing this data in conjunction with its National Massage Therapy Awareness Week (NMTAW), a week dedicated to educating consumers on how massage effectively helps relieve pain and stress, and benefit overall health and wellness. The theme for NMTAW this year is "Manage Pain with Massage."

In honor of National Massage Therapy Awareness Week, AMTA massage therapists across the country will host events and massage demonstrations in their communities during the week of October 24. AMTA spokespeople would be happy to participate in interviews about the benefits of massage during this important week. Detailed consumer survey findings and clinical research citations are available in the "News Room" of AMTA’s Web site, www.amtamassage.org, or contact Citigate Sard Verbinnen at 312/944-7398 to receive a copy of the findings via fax.

AMTA provides consumers with information on what to expect during a massage and tips to help them find a qualified massage therapist. Consumers can find this information on AMTA’s Web site, www.amtamassage.org. AMTA also offers a free service to help consumers find a qualified massage therapist in their area. Simply log on to AMTA’s Web site and click on "Find a Massage Therapist," or call toll-free to 888-THE-AMTA [888-843-2682].

AMTA is a professional association of more than 50,000 massage therapists. AMTA Professional members have demonstrated a level of skill and knowledge through education and/or testing and are required to provide proof of continuing education to retain membership.

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To schedule an interview with an AMTA spokesperson, contact Citigate Sard Verbinnen at 312/895-4700.