Massage

Massage Therapists

Massage Therapy As A Field

AMTA personnel interviewed by Marketdata reported that there are literally thousands of massage schools in the U.S. (550 listed in the Yellow Pages), but only about 75 that offer an approved curriculum with 500 required hours of schooling. California and Florida are the biggest states for massage therapy, but California does not require licensing. This field is still struggling to overcome a shady image, since many massage parlors or services in the Yellow Pages may well be merely fronts for escort services or prostitution.

According to the AMTA’s member survey, the overwhelming share of their members, 84% are female. Some 53% of them describe their practice as part-time (6-10 hrs. of massage per week), and 47% are full-time (16-20 hrs. per week). 57% of AMTA members surveyed were between 35 and 54 years old.

The AMTA survey from also found that 30% of those surveyed had a private practice in an office setting; 33% had a private practice at home; 6.5% had a practice in a chiropractic clinic; 7 % had a practice in a health club; and 22% in a spa or salon. 43% of massage therapists travel to their client’s locations.

The most widely utilized technique among therapists was (1) Swedish massage, followed by (2) Deep Tissue, and (3) Trigger Point.

Membership in the American Massage Therapy Association rose dramatically in the 1980s and 1990s and stands at 57,000 today. (It should be noted that massage therapists are licensed in 30 states only. Therefore, although a large number of the AMTA's members are licensed therapists, it is not technically correct to say that all AMTA therapists are licensed massage therapists.)

The AMTA estimates that there are 260,000 to 290,000 massage therapists and students in the nation today. (Many therapists are also licensed by a rival group, the ABMP, the Associated Bodywork and Massage Practitioners.)

Consumers' Usage of Massage Therapists

Almost a quarter of all adult Americans (24%) had a massage at least once in the last 12 months, and more than a third (34%) have received a massage in the last five years, according to a survey sponsored by the American Massage Therapy Association®. Consumers are estimated to visit massage therapists 75 million times annually.

While use of massage is growing, the reasons people are turning to massage therapy are also expanding. More and more, people recognize it as an important element of their overall health and wellness.

Massage therapy for pain relief

Almost one-third of adult Americans say they've used massage therapy at least one time for pain relief—just behind those who have turned to chiropractic--38 %) and physical therapy (44 %).

Of people who had at least one massage in the last five years, 30 percent report that they did so for health conditions such as pain management, injury rehabilitation, migraine control, or overall wellness.

By comparison, only 22 % had massages for simple relaxation, and just 13 percent for a "special indulgence."

People know about the role massage therapy plays in maintaining health and wellness…

87 % agree that massage can be effective in reducing pain.

85 % agree that massage can be beneficial to health and wellness.

59 % would like to see their insurance plans cover massage therapy

...and many are beginning to act on this knowledge

Almost one in five (19 %) report discussing massage therapy with their doctors or healthcare providers.

Of those 19 %, more than half (58 %) said their doctors recommended or encouraged it.

Fees

This survey further found that the most commonly charged fees for a 60 minute session ranged from $48 at the member’s site to $61 at the client’s site.

How To Locate A Massage Therapist

AMTA offers a free professional massage therapist locator service on the Web at www.findamassagetherapist.org or toll-free 1-800-THE-AMTA.