Good news for the massage therapy industry: More Americans are getting massages for medical and health reasons! According to the 13th annual consumer survey sponsored by the American Massage Therapy Association®, 32 percent of Americans get massages for medical and health reasons, up slightly from the 2008 report.
Also, 35 percent of Americans ages 35-44 have talked to their doctor or healthcare provider about massage therapy this year, compared to 14 percent in 2008. Of those who discussed massage therapy with their doctors, 52 percent say their doctor strongly recommended/encouraged them to get a massage. Eighty-six percent of Americans agree that massage can be effective in reducing pain, and 85 percent of people agree that massage can be beneficial to your health and wellness. Woohoo!