Massage Statistics For The Massage Nerds

For our Massage nerds out there, here are some great statistics that show just how important it can be towards creating and maintaining a healthy lifestyle:

The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA)

Massage is a therapy for complete health and wellness of mind and body

Massage is the most widely used type of complementary and alternative medicine in hospitals today for the treatment of pain, mental health, stress reduction, and general wellbeing

Massage therapy was a $12.1 billion industry in the country in 2015

In the US alone, there are about 350,000 massage therapists and massage school students

Between 2011 and 2015 revenue from alternative health care that included massage increases by 14% and employment increased by 19%

Revenue growth from alternative medicine, which includes massage, is projected to grow by 3.6% through 2020

Between July 2014 and July 2015, about 39.1 million (18%) adult Americans had at least one massage and 27% had a massage in the previous 5 years

According to the AMTA 2015 consumer survey

88% of people study participants reported massage as beneficial to their overall health and wellness

In July 2015, 19% of women and 16% of men reported having had a massage in the previous year

The primary reason people reported for getting a massage was for health and/or wellness – with 52% of adult Americans who had a massage between July 2014 and July 2015 citing 4 primary medical reasons for getting a massage:

• 19% for Pain Management
• 15% Soreness or stiffness
• 11% physical rehabilitation or recovery from injury
• 4% for general health and wellness

1% reported getting a massage for Pregnancy and prenatal health

33% reported getting a massage for stress reduction and relaxation

11% reported getting a massage for pampering, because it feels good and indulgence

91% of those surveyed agree that massage can be effective in reducing pain

In July 2015, more than 51 million (16%) American adults consulted with their health care providers about massage therapy. 69% of those doctors provided a massage referral to their patients and strongly recommended and encouraged them to use massage

In 2015, 46% of chiropractors recommended massage therapy to their patients

In 2015, 37% of physical therapists recommended massage therapy to their patients

Researchers from the University Of Miami School Of Medicine

Levels of the stress hormone cortisol were lowered by as much as 53% following just one session of massage

According to Sandy Fritz, MS, NCMBT, author of a textbook line for therapeutic massage and director of the Health Enrichment Center in Lapeer, Michigan…

Massage interfaces with the body’s stress function,” and “It helps to dampen the flight-or-fight response and activates dominance in the rest-and-restore system.”

MentalHealthCenter.Org

The Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami has conducted numerous studies on massage and mental health and results showed massage therapy to effectively reduce symptoms associated with:

• • Anorexia nervosa
  • Anxiety
  • Depression

• Stress
• Other mental health conditions

A nationwide study commissioned by Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP) and conducted by Harstad Strategic Research in January 2013 sampled US adults regarding their massage usage in 2012

16% of all U.S. adults saw a massage therapist in 2012

Overall, 60% of massage clients are women

37% of all U.S. adults had a massage at some time in their lives

22% of adult women had a massage in 2012

10% of adult men had a massage in 2012

Typical massage clients are mid to high-income earners with a college education

The highest percentage of massage clients are between the ages of 35 to 49