Fifty-nine percent 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. Fifty-five percent 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 got their last massage is relaxation/stress reduction.

  • This year, 36% of Americans said they got a massage for stress and/or relaxation in the last five years; compared to 22% last year.
  • Thirty-eight percent 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 to consider massage for stress and other health reasons.

  • Fifty-six percent of 18-24 year olds would consider massage to manage stress.
  • Forty-six percent of those earning less than $25,000 a year get massage for medical/health reasons; more than any other groups.

Higher income Americans talk to their doctors about massage…

Sixteen percent 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 get a massage.
  • Among 18-24 year olds, nearly 70% said their doctor strongly recommended massage.
  • Sixty percent 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’ve had a massage in the last five years, 41% of those 55-64 and 44% of those over 64 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 a massage for medical/health reasons.
  • Twenty-three percent of those in the 25-34 age group reported getting a 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 about 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.

Sports Medicine

In a first of its kind animal study, conducted at Ohio State University, researchers tested the benefits of massage in a sports & fitness setting.

  • Muscles massaged after exercise recovered an estimated 60% of strength in the following days, compared to restoration of about 14% of strength in muscles that simply rested after exercise.
  • Muscles massaged after exercise had fewer damaged muscle fibers and virtually no sign of white blood cells, compared to rested muscles. The absence of white blood cells indicates that the body did not have to work to repair muscle damage after exercise.
  • The massaged muscles weighed about 8% less than the rested muscles, indicating a reduction in swelling.

SOURCE: American Massage Therapy Association, 2008

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