Of the 1,007 hospitals responding to an American Hospital Association (AHA) survey, massage therapy was the most prevalent complementary and alternative medicine offering. Of the hospitals with massage therapy programs, more than 70% utilize massage therapy for pain management and relief. Also, 74% of hospitals using massage offer it for stress management in patients, and 69% provide it for staff stress management. A total of 59% say they provide massage for cancer patients, while 55% offer pregnancy massage.
This survey has significant implications for the management and treatment of pain, a significant national health issue. According to the National Institutes of Health, pain is the most common reason people seek medical care and that more than a third of Americans will suffer from chronic pain at some point in their lives.
Chronic pain accounts for more than $100 billion in annual losses to American businesses (through healthcare expenses and lost productivity) and approximately 14% of all employees take time off from work due to pain each year.
The AHA survey and the growing use of massage therapy as revealed in annual consumer surveys suggests that hospitals and healthcare organizations are positively responding to the consensus of research and evidence highlighting the benefits of massage.
Clinical research on the efficacy of massage for pain management has demonstrated that:
The American Massage Therapy Association, the largest professional association representing the field of massage therapy, can help navigate the process of linking pain specialists with massage therapists. Finding a qualified massage therapist is paramount – only 33 states and the District of Columbia regulate the profession of massage therapy. AMTA helps consumers and other healthcare professionals locate an AMTA member massage therapist via its free Find a Massage Therapist® national locater service, www.amtamassage.org or 1-888-THE-AMTA.
Therapeudic Massage $35-$120
