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Stress is Less with Massage

National consumer research released today said 81% of American adults feel as stressed (45%) or more stressed (36%) now than they did a year ago and are using a variety of strategies to cope. The research was conducted by Harstad Strategic Research and sponsored by Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP).1

Despite the sour economy, the overall use of massage therapy remains consistent: 14% of adult Americans had a professional massage in 2008 compared to 12% in 2004 and 16% in 2006. Those who did not receive a massage in 2008 were more likely to cite their pocketbooks as the reason than in previous surveys.

Among those who had a professional massage in 2008, 58% said they did so for “relaxation, restoration or stress relief,” and 85% of 2008 massage users were satisfied with the experience, predicting they would seek massage again in 2009.

“When many people are curtailing spending on vacations and other big-ticket items, massage is an ideal and lower-cost option for reducing stress,” said ABMP president and nationally certified massage therapist Les Sweeney. “Massage therapy has been shown to reduce stress hormones, relieve anxiety and depression, strengthen the immune system and improve attentiveness, so it’s an excellent strategy for challenging times.”

The nation’s leading mental health association, Mental Health America, recommends massage therapy as a way to diffuse stress. Some employers are turning to workplace massage to help employees cope with uncertain times and increased workloads.

“As employers are looking for ways to manage workplace productivity and stress, perhaps using fewer employees to do more work, some are bringing chair massage into the mix,” Sweeney said. “At about $1 a minute, it’s an inexpensive way to maintain loyalty, and manage anxiety and lost work time.”

Another Harstad Research finding was that visits to all types of health professionals, including medical doctors, declined slightly in 2008 as compared to 2006.

“This is not surprising in a year of belt-tightening throughout the economy,” Sweeney said. “It may be a matter of postponing rather than forgoing care. Consumers should keep in mind massage could be useful in helping stave off routine doctor visits, co-pays and missed work time because of the immunity-boosting power of massage.”

The proportion of adults who made at least one visit to a massage therapist (14%) again exceeded the proportions visiting a chiropractor (12%) or a physical therapist (9%). Forty-two percent of American adults have received at least one massage in their lifetime.

Reference

1 The January 2009 Health Care Survey was conducted by Harstad Strategic Research, Inc., the national public opinion research firm in Boulder, Colo. The survey results are based upon 602 random telephone interviews among adults age 21 or older nationwide. Interviews were conducted from Jan. 6 to 11, 2009. A random sample of 602 has a worst-case 95 percent confidence interval of plus or minus 4.0 percent about any one reported percentage.

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Massage, Massage Deal, Massage Therapists State Regulations, Spa, Stress Management Spas Manage Stress, Massage, Stress Relief

Massaging your troubles away

In the past, massages have been viewed as a luxury. A good massage lifts the spirits, decreases anxiety and stress, and can be energizing. Beyond the “feel good” aspects, employers may incorporate massage therapy into their Wellness Program to increase morale, reduce work-related injuries and increase productivity and overall well being for the employee.

While your friend or spouse may give a great back rub, it takes formal training and a state license to be a massage therapist. Colby Williams is the Massage Program Director at Seacoast Career Schools. According to Mr. Williams, a massage therapy program includes the sciences with emphasis on anatomy and physiology, hands-on and class instruction in various techniques and a course in business and career development. Massage types such as Swedish (basic relaxation), deep tissue (used for muscle trigger points and other particular problems), and hot stone are taught. While the State of Maine requires a minimum of 500 hours of instruction, the Seacoast Career Schools program is 900 hours. Laws vary from state to state, but Maine and all other states require state licensure. Occupational therapists and physical therapists may also use massage techniques. Massage therapists can seek advanced training in individual techniques, or specialize in areas such as feet, hands, or face.

Massage therapy has been evaluated in medical research and literature. The Mayo Clinic web site on alternative medicine explains several physical benefits of massage. Premature babies who are gently massaged regularly seem to gain weight faster. Massage has also been shown to improve the condition of women in labor. In fact, Goodall Hospital is working with Seacoast Career Schools to offer a program making massage available to moms in labor and after delivery. It may be expanded to medical and surgical patients where it is appropriate.

An amazing number of areas have been researched. Not surprisingly, regular massages assist in the treatment of general anxiety. When used for pain of many types, massage decreases the amount of pain medication needed for the patients. Soreness related to sports and muscle overuse improves more quickly when treated with massage, which can be important to keep athletes (and workers) “in the game.” Most surprising to me were studies which show that cancer and HIV/AIDS patients receiving massages show an increase in the number of white blood cells in their blood. It has also been shown to raise the spirits and sense of well-being in cancer patients.

Here in Sanford, massage therapy is part of the Wellness Program for the town. Ronnie Champlin, the town’s finance director and Wellness Program coordinator, reports that seated back massages lasting 15-30 minutes are quite popular. The program was initiated because of a request to the Wellness Committee. They are offered monthly, and have been for 3 years.

Message therapy is good for you. So loosen up and make an appointment today.

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Legitimate therapists worry about spa reputations
State moves to oversee massage parlors

Licensed massage therapists across Indiana have long voiced concerns about alleged sex parlors fronting as legitimate massage operations, according to the Indiana president of the American Massage Therapy Association.

Eaton, Ind., massage therapist Jennifer Irving says she received complaints from massage therapists across the state prior to the Apple Spa Studios and Sunshine Spa Asian Massage in Richmond being raided last month for suspected prostitution and human trafficking.

“I have had some (AMTA) members approach me, mainly Richmond-based therapists, complaining about the (illegal activity) that was going on,” says Irving, a 19-year massage professional. The AMTA’s Indiana Chapter had 834 active members as of March, according to an organization newsletter. Irving said she told area massage therapists to contact local law enforcement agencies after hearing the complaints.

The two spas were part of an alleged massage parlor ring that authorities believe served as brothels. Yong Williams, 50, admitted on May 20 to authorities that she drove 40,000 miles in seven months to deliver women to spas in Richmond and other locations in the two states.
Establishing oversight

In 2007, Gov. Mitch Daniels signed a law creating the Indiana Board of Massage Therapy. The board issues certifications to massage therapists.

Irving says that the board is undergoing an application process to certify professionals.

Legislation on massage therapy was enacted because the practice had emerged as a highly regarded supportive therapy, she says.

Massage therapy has been used, for example, in cancer treatment centers as a method of stress relief. It also has been widely used for patients suffering from chronic pain syndrome, she says.

Organizations such as the AMTA require that a massage therapist complete 500 or more hours from a Commission On Massage Therapy Accreditation program or from an AMTA school.

It also requires certification from the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork or a current AMTA licensed school.

Irving cites a South Bend incident, similar to that in Richmond, that hurt the massage therapy community but ultimately helped push along the creation of the 2007 legislation.

Those who are massage therapy professionals will be grandfathered in until July 1, 2009.
Something not right

Richmond resident and massage therapist Julie Jetmore says she suspected when the spas opened in Richmond about two years ago they were not legitimate businesses.

“What legitimate massage therapy business sets up in what was the former bus station? Who is going to go to a massage therapist who is located inside of a bus station?” she says.

While licensed therapists want the public to understand the difference between their businesses and the massage spas raided in Richmond, Jetmore says she has not seen a decline in the demand for massages since the raids occurred.Neither has Lisa Smith who owns and manages the Mona Lisa Salon and Day Spa .

Smith says business has continued to be steady, though a few of her clients have commented about the two raided spas.

“The amount of money that woman made,” says Smith, who referred to Yong Williams’ claim that she made $545,000 from the operation in 2005 and 2006. “That was what everyone was talking about.”

Sandra Marcum, who owns the Cosmotique Salon and Spa, says billboard advertising promoting late business hours for the Sunshine Spa led her to believe it likely was illegal.

“It was almost up immediately after they opened,” she said. “It sprung up on a billboard and that makes you question what type of business it is and the fact that no one seems to know who the owners were.”

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