Recently, Health Forum released their annual survey, conducted on behalf of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA). The new national survey polled hospitals and clinics across the nation on their use of massage therapy. The survey revealed that the number of hospitals that now offer massage therapy as a patient service has increased by more than one third over the past two years. This means that American hospitals have recognized the benefits that massage affords patients, and as a result 71 percent are now offering massage therapy for stress management, patient comfort, improved joint and muscle mobility, pregnancy, physical therapy, infant care, as part of their post- and per-operative regimes and to comfort those in hospice facilities.
Of those surveyed:
- 67% now offer massage to patients experiencing chronic pain, such as fibromyalgia.
- 52% of those hospitals surveyed have incorporated massage into their cancer care programs.
- 52% now offer massage to physically-challenged or rehab patients to improve mobility.
- 67% of those hospitals surveyed even offer healing hands to their staff to cut down on work-related stress and illnesses.