| What should someone expect during a massage? | | | | or alternative care use massage therapy, with 70 |
| - The massage therapist will ask questions about | | | | percent of those hospitals using massage for pain |
| what prompted you to get a massage. | | | | management and pain relief. |
| - The massage therapist will want background | | | | A consumer survey commissioned by the |
| information about your physical condition, medical | | | | American Massage Therapy Association? (AMTA) |
| history, lifestyle, stress levels and any painful | | | | reveals that more people than ever are seeking |
| areas. | | | | massage to manage and relieve pain. The survey |
| - The massage therapist will ask what your health | | | | shows that nearly half, 47 percent, of those |
| goals are and will discuss how massage may help | | | | polled have had a massage specifically for pain |
| you achieve those goals. | | | | relief. |
| - During a one-on-one massage, you will be asked | | | | A 2003 survey of 1,998 massage clients showed |
| to remove clothing to your level of comfort. | | | | that 63 percent believed massage therapy |
| Clothing is not removed during chair massages. | | | | provided them greater pain relief than chiropractic, |
| Consumers also should consider the following tips | | | | acupuncture, physical therapy or other bodywork. |
| to help them find a massage therapist who is | | | | Clinical research has shown massage therapy can: |
| trained and qualified. | | | | - Be more effective for chronic back pain than |
| - Are you licensed to practice massage? (35 | | | | other complementary therapies. |
| states have passed legislation to regulate | | | | - Promote relaxation and alleviate the perception |
| massage therapy) | | | | of pain and anxiety in cancer patients. |
| - Are you a member of the American Massage | | | | - Reduce post-traumatic headaches better than |
| Therapy Association? | | | | cold pack treatments. |
| - Are you Nationally Certified in Therapeutic | | | | - Lessen pain and muscle spasms in patients who |
| Massage and Bodywork? | | | | have undergone heart bypass surgery when part |
| Massage May Help Ease Your Pain | | | | of hospital-based surgery treatment. |
| Millions of Americans are all too familiar with pain. | | | | - Stimulate the brain to produce endorphins. |
| There can be countless trips to the doctor or | | | | - Improve confidence by encouraging patients to |
| chiropractor, pain medications, sleepless nights and | | | | effectively cope with their pain. |
| the burden of making it through the day while | | | | If you have chronic pain, talk to your doctor |
| enduring pain. | | | | about adding massage by a qualified massage |
| Have you tried massage? | | | | therapist to your pain management program. |
| A recent survey by the American Hospital | | | | Finding a trained and qualified massage therapist is |
| Association shows that nearly 82 percent of | | | | important, so look for a member of AMTA. |
| hospitals that use some form of complementary | | | | |