It also shows why YOU should consider massage as a natural tool for stress and pain relief.

Who Gets Massage, Where And Why?

* According According to the 2009 AMTA consumer survey, an average of 22 percent of adult Americans received at least one massage between July 2008 and July 2009, and an average of 34 percent of adult Americans received a massage in the previous five years.
* In July 2008 and July 2009, 40 percent of women and 29 percent of men reported having a massage in the past five years.
* Spas are where most people continue to receive massage, with 24 percent of those surveyed in July 2009 saying they had their last massage at a spa.

While the 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 in their overall health and wellness.

* Thirty-two percent of adult Americans who had a massage between July 2008 and July 2009 received it for medical or health reasons.
* Nineteen (19) percent of adult Americans say they’ve used massage therapy at least one time for pain relief.
* Of the people who had at least one massage in the last five years, 31 percent report they did so for health conditions such as pain management, injury rehabilitation, migraine control, or overall wellness.
* Eight-six (86) percent agree that massage can be effective in reducing pain.
* Eighty-five (85) percent agree that massage can be beneficial to health and wellness.

Consumers are increasingly seeking massage for stress reduction and relaxation.

* In July 2009, 32 percent of adult Americans said they had at least one massage in the last five years to reduce stress or relax—up from 22 percent reported in 2007.
* Forty-nine percent of consumers said they have considered a massage to manage stress in the last year, as compared to 38 percent in 2008.

Oh my goodness!  Don’t even get me started on the benefits of massage.

I am SO biased!  I LOVE massage!

Pain happens for lots of reasons but therapeutic massage can help with virtually ALL of them.  Why?  Because muscles are responsible for so much of your pain.

Massage ranges from so light it barely touches the skin to very deep, specific and corrective.  There are almost as many types of massage as there are  massage therapists!  

The very light or subtle forms of touch can help comfort people who are dying or who have fibromyalgia or RSD.  I remember barely tracing a path on the face of a woman who could hardly tolerate being touched because she had so much pain.  That simple act of lightly pulling one finger along her head took away her headache.

Rehabilitative types of massage can be very deep.  If you are in the hands of a good massage therapist, you may have pain relief AND that therapist may also help you get rid of the CAUSE of your pain, too.

How’s that?  Well, muscles are responsible for most pain.  Most doctors don’t know that but now YOU do!

One thing to remember:  It’s YOUR body.  YOU get to decide how much pressure you’d like or feel is best for you.   And please let your massage therapist know.  He or she does want you to feel better when you leave, not worse.

If you scroll down on the right side here at Simple Pain Relief to the CATEGORIES and go to the MASSAGE CATEGORY you’ll find more information including How To Find A Massage Therapist.

Another article will tell you Why Are Your Muscles Sore After Massage.  (That happens sometimes.)

I’d love to hear your experiences with therapeutic massage for pain relief.  Please leave your comments below.