TRENDS

AMERICANS OF ALL AGES BENEFIT FROM MASSAGE, NATIONAL SURVEY REPORTS

CHICAGO--Americans of all ages are benefiting more from therapeutic massage, according to a national survey released today by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA). The survey indicates a rapid rise in both public acceptance and usage of massage therapy across all adult age groups (18-65+) since 1997. Over half of the people (51 percent) surveyed also say they understand that massage can benefit people of all ages from infants and children to adults and senior citizens.

The survey of 1,008 American adults, conducted by Opinion Research Corporation, Princeton, N.J., is the third annual consumer survey commissioned by AMTA. It carries a confidence factor of plus or minus 3 percent.

The survey indicates that increasingly, Americans are understanding the value of therapeutic massage throughout their lives, a concept AMTA will emphasize this year during its annual National Massage Therapy Awareness Week (October 24-30).

"Massage can have benefits for every age group," said Adela Basayne, president of AMTA. "For example, research shows massage can give seniors relief from the symptoms of arthritis and it can also help calm infants with colic or sleep difficulties."

The survey found a steady increase across all age groups in the number of people who have had a massage since 1997. For example, 27 percent of adults ages 18-65+ had a massage in the past five years, compared to 22 percent in 1998 and 17 percent in 1997. Americans between the ages of 55-64 are the fastest growing segment of those using massage, with 35 percent getting a massage in the last five years, compared to 19 percent in 1998 and 17% in 1997. Among people ages 45-54, 31 percent had a massage within the past five years, compared to 22 percent in 1998 and 16% in 1997. The number of people ages 65 and older who have had a massage in the last five years also has increased to 16 percent from 9 percent in 1998 and 8 percent in 1997.

The data show a strong public recognition that massage has therapeutic benefits. Fifty percent of American adults in 1999 think of massage as something therapeutic and almost three out of four (73 percent) can name some form of benefit that would motivate a person to have a massage. One in three adults (34 percent), across all adult age groups, had a massage for medical reasons. Relaxation (21 percent), relief from muscle soreness (15 percent) and stress reduction (13 percent) are the three leading reasons people seek massage therapy. Only 8 percent of survey respondents have massages just to pamper themselves.

Massage is popular among all age groups. The number of people who have had a massage in the past 12 months is nearly evenly divided among the following age brackets: ages 25-34 (17 percent), ages 35-44 (16 percent), ages 45-54 (16 percent) and ages 55-64 (17 percent). The most notable increase is in the 55-64 year old age group, with 17 percent reporting they have had a therapeutic massage in 1999 compared to 11 percent in 1998.

Therapeutic massage is not only gaining momentum among consumers, but its health benefits are becoming accepted by an increasing number of medical professionals. Sixty-nine percent of people who talked to their doctors or health care providers about massage therapy reported a positive discussion.

"It would be difficult to find anything else that has such a wide range of benefits, regardless of ones age," said Basayne. "Therapeutic massage is a wonderful way to help your body foster good health. Through National Massage Therapy Awareness Week, AMTA hopes to further educate the public about the advantages of massage throughout life."

2000 MASSAGE THERAPY CONSUMER SURVEY FACT SHEET

Following are findings of a survey conducted by the Opinion Research Corporation, Princeton, NJ, and commissioned by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA). The survey was conducted July 20, 2000 among a national probability sample of 1,006 adults (506 men and 500 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 fourth annual survey of American consumers commissioned by AMTA. Opinion Research Corporation conducted its first survey of consumers on massage by telephone on June 5 1997.

MORE PEOPLE GETTING MASSAGE

Twice as many adult Americans report receiving one or more massages from a massage therapist in the past year (16 percent) as did in 1997 (8 percent). The number who report getting a massage each year has steadily increased. In 1999, 15 percent said they had a massage in the past year; in 1998, 13 percent said they had done so. Twenty-one percent of Americans expect to get a massage from a massage therapist in the next 12 months.

HISPANICS AND MASSAGE

Twenty-seven percent of Hispanics report getting a massage in the past five years 25 percent of the total population say they had a massage in the past five years. In the past 12 months, 16 percent of adults report getting a massage 15 percent of Hispanic adults say they did. Twenty-eight percent of Hispanics say they plan to get a massage this year.

TAKE TIME FOR MASSAGE

Approximately 20 percent of Americans continue to say that the primary reason they dont get a regular massage is that they are too busy. This figure has varied little since 1997, with 20 percent giving this reason this year, 21 percent in 1999, 18 percent in 1998, and 24 percent in 1997. People understand its benefits, but say they are too busy to take the time to get a regular massage.

ALL INCOME GROUPS GET MASSAGE

Twenty-three percent of adults with family incomes of $50,000+ had a massage from a massage therapist in the past twelve months. The income groups with the second highest rate of massage in the past twelve months were those with incomes under $15,000 and those with incomes of $35-50,000 (15 percent). Those with family incomes of $25-35,000 were next at 14 percent, then those with incomes of $15-25,000 at 10 percent.

MASSAGE AT ALL AGES

Twenty-one percent of Americans ages 35-44 report getting at least one massage in the past 12 months. While thirty-one percent of that age group report having a massage in the last five years.

Massage is popular among all age groups. Following are figures for the age groups of people who have had massage in the past 12 months: ages 18-24 (14 percent); ages 25-34 (16 percent); ages 35-44 (21 percent); ages 45-54 (17 percent), ages 55-64 (13 percent), and age 65+ (11 percent).

WHY GET A MASSAGE?

Almost one third of adults (29 percent) say that medical reasons would motivate them to get a massage. [Some medical reasons include: muscle soreness/stiffness/spasm (10 percent); to reduce pain (6 percent); for injury recovery and rehab (4 percent); for wellness and prevention (2 percent); greater joint flexibility or range of motion (2 percent); or because of a medical prescription or physician recommendation (2 percent).]

Twenty percent report that they would seek therapeutic massage for relaxation and 10 percent say they would seek massage for stress reduction.

Twenty-seven percent think of massage as something that is both therapeutic and feels good (compared to 24 percent in 1999, 19 percent in 1998). While 42 percent view it as therapeutic and 23 percent say it just feels good.

POSITIVE VIEW OF DOCTORS

Of the 14 percent of adults who spoke to their doctors about massage therapy, 71 percent report that the conversation was favorable about massage and 20 percent report the conversation was neutral.

Among Americans 65+ years old who spoke with their doctors about massage, 84 percent say the conversation was positive.

WOMEN vs. MEN

More women than men got one or more massages in the past 12 months (18 percent vs. 13 percent).

More women than men expect to get one or more massages from a massage therapist in the next 12 months (25 percent vs. 17 percent).

REGIONAL DIFFERENCES

West Coast residents had the highest percentage saying they had a massage in the past 12 months (21 percent). Figures for the rest of the country were 16 percent in North Central states and 14 percent in the South and Northeast. While more people in the West and South expect to get a massage in the next 12 months (28 percent in the West and 21 percent in the South).

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