If you started this day with just a tad more stress than you can handle, immerse yourself in our massage statistics that may just give you an idea of how to improve the rest of your day.
When people think about massage, they often envision a deeply therapeutic experience which allows them to rid their body of built-up tension. Others imagine different types of sensual massage since it’s a great way to connect with your partner.
Whichever group you identify with, one thing is obvious—the benefits of massage are many. If you’d like to know what they are and learn more about the world of massage, keep scrolling!
Top 10 Massage Statistics and Facts
- Alcohol withdrawal management is positively affected by massages.
- Just 10 minutes of massage can help you relax and boost your mood.
- Chiropractors are the most likely healthcare providers to recommend massage therapy.
- Massage therapist is the 23rd fastest-growing job in the US.
- Individual/family services are the best-paying industry for massage therapists in the US.
- In 2018, massage therapists in the US had a monthly average of 46 clients.
- 66% of massage clients opt for this treatment to reduce stress.
- The US massage industry market size is projected to reach $15.92 billion in 2021.
- Massages help reduce non-migraine headache frequencies within a single week.
- Massage therapy can positively affect blood pressure.
General Massage Facts and Statistics
What does massage do? Why do people turn to massage therapists and masseurs for help? Let’s start by answering these and other general questions you may have about this practice.
1. Just 10 minutes of massage can help you relax and boost your mood.
(Psychology Today)
According to research, even as little as 10 minutes of resting or being massaged can result in lower stress levels. If we think about how invigorating a simple cat nap can be, this isn’t so surprising. Still, these benefits seem to be more pronounced after a massage than simple rest.
Also, it doesn’t matter what types of massage strokes were used. Pleasant tactile contact itself was enough to help people relax.
2. Massage is one of the best techniques to reduce stress and anxiety.
(Psychology Today)
Several studies have shown that massage can have a positive effect on our mood, and hinder anxiety and stress accumulation. It’s possible that these health benefits of massage come from lowered cortisol levels, PSNS activation, and lowered heart rate that massaging can lead to.
3. Massage stats show chiropractors are the most likely healthcare providers to recommend massage therapy.
(AMTA)
Data from 2019 indicates that 51% of those who consider the benefits of massage therapy with healthcare professionals are recommended this kind of therapy by their chiropractors. Next in line are physical therapists at 49%, with physicians not far behind (46%).
4. 66% of massage clients opt for this treatment to reduce stress, according to massage therapy statistics.
(AMTA)
Most people who get a massage want to achieve relaxation. However, research has also shown that a slightly lower number of clients (62%) get massages for medical reasons. Moreover, 60% of them do so just to feel good or to pamper themselves.
The least popular reason to get a massage seems to be headache relief, at only 10%. Additionally, one of the most interesting massage fun facts is that 2% of clients don’t know why they get massages. Some of them may also have other, less striking reasons.
US Massage Industry Statistics
In this segment, we’ll take a look at the numbers behind this industry and its overall dynamics in America. We’ll find out more about its popularity, job prospects, clients, and so on.
5. US massage trends show that the number of people who got massages at least once in six months increased from 2011–2020.
(Statista)
For example, in 2011, there were 5.34 million consumers in America who got massages at least four times in 6 months. Last year, however, that number was roughly 6.1 million.
Also, it seems that the people who get massages once in half a year outnumber those who do it more often. In 2011, there were approximately 10.35 million of such clients, while in 2020 that number grew to 11.27 million.
Naturally, we’re yet to see what kind of picture massage statistics for 2022 will paint.
6. Massage therapy is the 23rd fastest-growing job in the States.
(24/7 Wall St.) (AMTA)
Between 2008 and 2018, the number of these professionals grew by 25%. However this progress isn’t expected to stop any time soon. In fact, the growth rate is projected to reach as much as 22.2% in the period between 2018 and 2028.
7. Massage statistics indicate that in 2018, massage therapists in the US had a monthly average of 46 clients.
(AMTA)
That same year, there were 47.5 million massage clients in the country, who got an average of 4.5 massages. We should emphasize that these numbers include all types of massage therapy.
The financial aspect is apparently a significant factor here. AMTA’s data reveals that almost 7 out every 10 consumers stated a yearly household income of over $50,000.
8. Massage therapists’ average number of weekly working hours grew between 2017 and 2018, according to massage therapy statistics.
(AMTA)
In 2017, massage therapists in the States worked 24.2 hours per week on average, while in 2018, they worked for 26.6 hours a week. Another thing indicative of the field’s unyielding growth is the fact that the number of these professionals rose by 25% between 2008 and 2018.
9. Individual and family services are the best paying industry for massage therapists.
(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
More precisely, this industry ensures therapists an hourly mean wage of $30.39. Annually, this comes to $63,220. Specialty hospitals (with the exception of substance abuse and psychiatric hospitals) are not that far behind either, with an annual wage of $62,630, according to massage industry statistics.
Other top paying spheres for massage therapists include: local government institutions (with the exception of schools and hospitals), company and enterprise management, and universities and colleges.
10. Most massage therapists in America work in the industry of personal care services.
(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
With 41,370 massage therapists employed and a 7.56% industry employment rate, personal care services reach the highest level of employment when it comes to massage therapists.
Surprisingly, it’s not the industry which ensures them the highest annual mean wage possible. These experts seem to be earning noticeably more when working in offices of physicians—$55,440 (as opposed to $43,830).
11. Massage therapy industry statistics reveal California as the state with the most employed massage therapists in America.
(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
With 11,450 professionals, as indicated by the BLS’s latest available data, California leads the way when it comes to the employment of massage therapists in the US. Florida comes in second, with 6,450 experts—a little over half the number in CA.
Despite having the largest number of massage therapists in the country, California doesn’t also have the highest annual mean wage. That title goes to New York, where these professionals earn $55,290. In CA, however, the annual mean wage is significantly lower—$44,730.
12. In 2021, the US massage industry market size is projected to reach $15.92 billion.
(Statista)
In the past ten years, the massage service sector’s revenue has exhibited steady growth. In 2011, the industry was worth $9.59 billion, which is a whopping $6.33 billion less than the sum forecasted for this year. These revenue totals imply all types of massage services.
Facts About Massage Therapy Benefits
What are (some of) the greatest benefits of massage? Can this practice have an impact on human relationships and if so, what kind? Stay with us to find out.
13. Attachment between a mother and her newborn can be strengthened by baby massage.
(Science Direct)
Not only is massage simple, cheap, and can be performed independently, but it can actually contribute to babies’ health. Unfortunately, not all mothers are educated about baby massage health benefits by their nurses. A lot of them are also worried they could hurt their babies.
The reason for that might be that nurses caring for newborns don’t receive the education themselves about baby massage and mother-baby attachment and bonding.
14. Massage therapy is among the most common types of complementary medicine used for pain management.
(NCBI)
Based on the analysis of numerous studies, therapeutic massage is said to be effective in easing different kinds of pain. Consequently, it can also positively affect people’s sleep, mood, feelings, and the overall ability to relax or deal with stressful situations.
15. Though it may not be equally popular in all countries, prostate massage has several benefits for health.
(Healthline) (WebMD)
Firstly, this kind of massage is said to be helpful in clearing the prostatic duct. Semen can build up in this tiny gland over time, which can eventually lead to discomfort and pain. Massaging it can help get rid of the fluids and prevent such health issues.
Prostate massage can sometimes also be beneficial with problems like erectile dysfunction, poor urine flow, or painful ejaculation.
16. Massage therapy can offer temporary relief from pain to advanced cancer patients.
(Science Daily)
Cancer patients are often in need of something that will help them deal with pain and depression. Prescribed drugs can help, but sometimes they simply don’t work or have serious side effects.
One of the less known massage facts is that this practice can offer cancer patients temporary relief from pain. The effect is immediate and might help with relaxation, but also serve as a distraction from the pain and depression for limited periods of time.
17. Alcohol withdrawal management is positively affected by massages.
(PubMed) (American Addiction Centers)
A 2005 study with 50 participants battling alcohol addiction showed that massage can be an effective addition to standard medical detox methods, especially during its early phases. This is one of the greatest benefits of massage for people struggling with this kind of addiction.
Furthermore, American Addiction Centers generally advise people to complement the traditional detoxification methods with alternative medicine like massage therapy or acupuncture. The relief they bring could help ease one’s withdrawal symptoms to an extent and reduce stress.
18. According to massage facts, massages can help reduce headache frequencies in a period of just one week.
(NCBI)
People suffering from chronic tension headaches can actually benefit from massage, as research has shown. For example, participants in a 2002 study received muscle-specific massage treatments for 8 weeks and already saw improvements during the first 7 days.
Moreover, the frequency of their headaches kept dropping as the treatment went on. The subjects also reported shorter-lasting pains compared to before. It should be noted that the study focused specifically on the link between chronic non-migraine headaches and massage.
19. Massage therapy can help fight high blood pressure.
(Pacific College of Health and Science)
One of the most comforting massage therapy facts is that it can be used as part of hypertension treatment. This is especially important because not only is high blood pressure a fairly common occurrence, it can also lead to potentially fatal conditions if left untreated.
Massage can help reduce one’s cortisol levels thereby decreasing stress levels as well. This is said to be a significant factor in lowering blood pressure, and so is mood improvement.
20. Traditional Chinese therapeutic massage significantly helps with neck pain.
(Science Direct) (Massagetique)
As you probably know, TCTM is one of the most popular types of Asian massage around the world. The two most well-known kinds of traditional Chinese massage are Tui Na and Zhi Ya, which have been in practice for over 4,000 years.
A study from 2003 revealed that participants who’d received TCTM treatment had lower pain scores after 6 weeks of getting therapy, and a visibly improved range of motion. It was therefore suggested that TCTM should be combined with mainstream medicine for better results.
FAQ
How common is massage therapy?
Massage therapy seems to be becoming ever more common as the years go by. In 2018, for example, around 47.5 million Americans got a total of 214 million massages. That is significantly higher than the number of massages US citizens got in 2017—179 million.
(AMTA)
What is the average age of a massage therapist?
The average age of massage therapists in the USA is 42.3. There’s a slight difference between male and female massage therapists. The average age of male therapists is 42.4 years, while of females it’s 42.2.
(Data USA)
How many hours a week should a massage therapist work?
There’s no data on the exact number of hours massage therapists should work weekly. Typically, massage therapists spend 15 hours a week on hands-on work, plus the amount of time they need to complete their administrative tasks.
If you’re unsure how much you should work, the AMTA recommends that you try to understand your physical limits to avoid professional burnout. Simply watch out for any signs of tiredness, irritableness, or inefficacy so that you can tailor your schedule to your abilities and needs.
(AMTA) (ExploreHealthCareers.org)
Are massage therapists in high demand?
Data reveals that this is one of the fastest-growing jobs in the USA—23rd, to be more exact. It’s forecasted that the number of these professionals will go up by 22% from 2018 to 2028.
(24/7 Wall St.)
What is considered as a massage?
In general, massage means pressing, rubbing, and manipulating someone’s skin, muscles, tendons, and ligaments in order to provide pain or tension relief. The manner in which that pressure is applied determines the types of massage techniques.
Some of the most well-known kinds are Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, Thai massage, hot stone massage, etc. You’ve probably also heard of different types of Japanese massage, the most popular of which is Shiatsu.
(Mayo Clinic) (Verywell Health)
Does massage affect the whole body?
It depends on which type of massage you’re going to get. Certain types are intended for the relaxation of the entire body, while some focus on specific areas.
However, massage doesn’t just affect the body, but the mind as well. It can alleviate anxiety and boost one’s mood, improve one’s sleep, and so on. Because of its numerous benefits, it’s often used alongside standard treatments of certain conditions.
(Mayo Clinic)
Conclusion
As you can see from these massage statistics and facts, there are many benefits to getting a good massage. From increasing intimacy in the bedroom and strengthening interpersonal bonds, to easing a range of physical issues… it’s there for you to choose. So, in case you haven’t given it a chance yet, there’s no time like the present to experience the ways it could improve your lifestyle.
Sources:
- 24/7 Wall St
- American Addiction Centers
- AMTA
- AMTA
- AMTA
- Data USA
- ExploreHealthCareers.org
- Healthline
- Massagetique
- Mayo Clinic
- NCBI
- NCBI
- NCBI
- Pacific College of Health and Science
- Psychology Today
- Psychology Today
- Psychology Today
- PubMed
- PubMed
- Science Daily
- Science Direct
- Science Direct
- Statista
- Statista
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- University of Miami Research Profiles
- Verywell Health
- WebMD