Why Massage is Good for Your Health
Hospitals are taking a cue from the growing trend of massage for health benefits, according to the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA).
It says in a recent survey conducted for the American Hospital Association (AHA) by the Samueli Institute, 42 percent of hospitals surveyed offer some form of a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) service, and of those, 64% offer massage for outpatient treatment and 44% for inpatient treatment.
As AMTA marks its 15th annual National Massage Therapy Awareness Week October 23 – October 29, 2011, more consumers are using massage therapy for pain relief and other health issues, it says.
“National Massage Therapy Awareness Week is intended to raise public understanding about the benefits of massage and this year we’re pleased that health benefits in particular are a key motivator for people seeking massage,” says Glenath Moyle, AMTA president.
“Our recent survey shows that 90 percent of respondents perceive massage as effective in reducing pain and we think this is highly reflective of the good work done every day by our members across the nation.”
Here’s what you should expect from your Massage & Massage Therapist:
- A clean, safe and comfortable environment before, during and after the massage
- Respect, courtesy, confidentiality and dignity
- Privacy while changing and right to remove clothing only to their level of comfort for the massage
- Draped appropriately by a sheet, towel or blanket, with only the area being massaged exposed
- A licensed/registered/certified professional massage therapist, working within their scope of practice and in an ethical manner
- Option to ask questions of the massage therapist and receive professional responses
- Determine if there will be conversation, music or quiet during the massage
- An explanation of the nature of the massage and techniques to be used in advance of starting the massage
- The right to consent to the massage techniques and approaches, including manual pressure, used in the massage
And here’s what a massage therapist expects from client:
- Respect, courtesy and dignity
- Treated as a healthcare professional
- Timely arrival at massage therapy appointment
- Complete and accurate disclosure of health/medical conditions during intake process
- Communication of expectations of and concerns about the massage
- Payment at time of service
- Reasonable notice (usually 24 hours) in cancelling a massage appointment
AMTA is a non-profit, professional association.
Photo courtesy: AMTA
