Frequency of massage ● According to the AMTA 2015 consumer survey, an average of 18 percent of adult Americans received at least one massage between July 2014 and July 2015, and an average of 27 percent of adult Americans received a massage in the previous five years. ● In July 2015, 19 percent of women and 16 percent of men reported having a massage in the past twelve months. Research on massage therapy The therapeutic benefits of massage continue to be researched and studied. Recent research has shown the effectiveness of massage for the following conditions: ● Cancer-related fatigue. ● Low back pain. ● Osteoarthritis of the knee. ● Reducing post-operative pain. ● Boosting the body’s immune system functioning. ● Decreasing the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. ● Lowering blood pressure. ● Reducing headache frequency.
● Eighteen percent of massage consumers reported receiving their last massage at a massage therapist’s office or location in 2015, surpassing spas as the top place to receive massage for the first time. ● 19 percent of consumers surveyed reported receiving a massage from a professional massage therapist in the past year (AMTA, 2016b). ● Overall mean, excluding none, was 10.2 massages for those receiving massage in past 5 years (AMTA, 2016b). Americans reasons for getting massages are changing Instead of seeking massage therapy solely for relaxation and pampering purposes, individuals clearly are turning to massage therapy to assist with medical conditions. ● As few as 27 percent of individuals believe massage therapy is only a form of pampering with 71 percent of consumers responding that massage therapy should be considered a form of healthcare. ● 50 percent of people have received a massage for one or more of the following reasons: soreness, stiffness or spasms, to relieve or manage stress, for prevention or to improve quality of life, injury recovery or rehabilitation, to keep fit or healthy, maintain wellness, pregnancy/prenatal, or to control headaches or migraines (AMTA, 2016b). Consumers are discussing specific medical conditions with their doctors ● 37 percent of respondents discussed pain relief or pain management with their doctor. ● 26 percent discussed injury recovery or rehabilitation with their doctor. ● 16 percent discussed soreness, stiffness, and spasms with their doctor (AMTA, 2016b). Health care providers recommending massage as a viable form of treatment for the conditions discussed above Health care providers and doctors are more commonly viewing massage therapy as a legitimate option to address health concerns. Of consumers who discussed massage therapy with their doctors: ● 12 percent were referred to a massage therapist by their doctor. ● 15 percent were told by their doctor that a massage might benefit them. ● 56 percent of respondents said their physician has recommended they get a massage, up from 54 percent last year (AMTA, 2016b).
● Easing alcohol withdrawal symptoms. ● Decreasing pain in cancer patient. ● Fibromyalgia relief. ● Migraine relief. ● Treating muscle stiffness or spasms.
● Injury recovery or prevention. ● Pregnancy and pre-natal topics. ● Effects on general well-being. ● PTSD symptom management. ● Autism in children. ● Treating depression (AMTA, 2016b). Massage therapy for regular health maintenance
According to the 20th annual consumer survey sponsored by the American Massage Therapy Association, 78 percent of individuals surveyed claimed their primary reason for receiving a massage in the previous 12 months was medical. These medical reasons included massage for pain relief, muscle soreness, stiffness or spasms. An additional 50 percent sought massage for stress relief and 28 percent sought massage for symptoms they reported were related to stress. The consumer survey also included the following results: ● 88 percent of individuals view massage as being beneficial to overall health and wellness. ● 89 percent of consumers surveyed believe that massage can be effective in reducing pain; with 28 percent of respondents stating they have used massage therapy for pain relief. ● The overall mean, excluding none, was 3.8 massages for those receiving massage in past 12 months.
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
The major organizations that guide the massage therapy and bodywork professions have their own specific glossaries that reflect the unique practice of their members, and the goals, NCBTMB glossary of terms ● Acceptable accounting procedures : Rules, conventions, standards, and procedures that are widely accepted among financial accountants. ● Boundary : A boundary is a limit that separates one person from another. Its function is to protect the integrity of each person. ● Competency : Study and development of a particular professional knowledge base, and skills associated with and applied in practice within that knowledge base. ● Counter-transference : A practitioner’s unresolved feelings and issues that are unconsciously transferred to the client. ● Dignity : The quality or state of being worthy, honored, or esteemed. ● Dual relationships : An alliance in addition to the client/ therapist relationship, such as social, familial, business or any other relationship that is outside the therapeutic relationship.
ethics, and standards of the association. These often overlap, but the following terms that relate to this course are included.
● Genitalia, female : Labia major, labia minor, clitoris and vaginal orifice. ● Genitalia, male : Testes, penis and scrotum. ● Impugn : To assail by words or arguments, oppose or attack as false. ● Integrity : Honesty. Firm adherence to a code of values. ● Multidimensional relationships : Overlapping relationships, in which the therapist and client share an alliance, in addition to the therapeutic relationship. ● Progress notes : Notes written by a practitioner certified by NCBTMB, and kept in a separate client file that indicates the date of the session, areas of complaint as stated by client, and observations made and actions taken by the practitioner. ● Sexual activity : Any verbal and/or nonverbal behavior for the purpose of soliciting, receiving, or giving sexual gratification.
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