Massage therapy's role in integrative health care has become widely accepted in major hospitals and in daily medical practice. A wealth of research has also shown the impact of massage therapy for pain management and relief.
Military veterans can face a host of health concerns upon returning from service, from chronic pain related to physical injuries, to emotional and psychological issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Massage therapists are in an excellent position to help veterans take control of their health and wellness.
As research continues to evolve, more people are discovering the benefits massage can offer during rehabilitation—from athletes to infants to stroke survivors
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 60 million Americans suffer from chronic pain, affecting more people than diabetes, heart disease, and cancer combined. Research has shown that massage therapy can be a safe, effective, nonpharmacological option for pain relief.
A recent economic modeling analysis indicates that as many as 5 million people in the United States could potentially benefit from massage therapy for pain relief, while reducing the number of people with addiction disorder by over 100,000 per year.
A recent consumer study sponsored by AMTA indicates that 67 percent of individuals surveyed claim the primary reason for receiving their last massage in the previous 12 months was medical (41 percent) or stress (26 percent) related.
In addition, years of research support the efficacy of massage therapy for many medical treatments including a variety of health conditions such as cancer, arthritis, autoimmune disorders as well as maternity and newborn care.
Studies indicate that massage therapy has a variety of benefits for helping people recover from surgeries, including:
