A Growing Profession

• Future Growth - The United States Department of Labor projects that employment opportunities for massage therapists will grow faster than average (by 20%) through 2020. *
• Increasing Consumer Demand - Between July 2012 and July 2013, roughly 35 million adult Americans (16 percent) had a massage at least once.
• Forty-three percent of adult Americans who had a massage between July 2012 and July 2013 received it for medical or health reasons such as pain management, soreness/stiffness/spasms, injury rehabilitation, or overall wellness.**
• Eighty-eight percent of massage clients agree that massage can be effective in reducing pain.**
• Thirty-two percent of massage consumers had a massage for relaxation/stress reduction between July 2012 and July 2013.**
• Increasing Consumer Awareness - 90% of Americans believe that massage can be effective in reducing pain and 86% believe that massage can be beneficial to health and wellness. **

Therapeutic Benefits**

The therapeutic benefits of massage continue to be researched and studied. Recent research has shown the effectiveness of massage for the following conditions:

• Cancer-related fatigue
• Low back pain
• Osteoarthritis of the knee
• Reducing post-operative pain
• Boosting the body’s immune system functioning
• Decreasing the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome
• Lowering blood pressure
• Reducing headache frequency
• Easing alcohol withdrawal symptoms
• Decreasing pain in cancer patients
• Fibromyalgia

Limitless Possibilities

Massage therapists work in a broad range of positive and exciting work environments:

Private Practice

Many massage therapists start their own private practices and work on their own terms.

Spas & Resorts

Massage therapists have the opportunity to work at resort spas and destination spas in some of the most beautiful places in the world. Day spas offer many employment opportunities closer to home. The spa industry is flourishing, generating revenues of 12.8 billion dollars in 2010. **

Clinical Setting

Massage therapists are becoming an increasingly important part of the health care Industry. Therapists can work in hospitals, rehab facilities, doctor's offices, and more. In 2011, 44% or massage consumers received massages for medical reasons and 96% of massage therapists reported receiving referrals from a hospital or medical office. **

National Massage Clinic Chains

The number of massage clinics operated by national massage clinic chains has been growing for several years, increasing the demand for massage therapists all across the country. Many of these chains offer membership and subscription plans, building a large, steady, and loyal customer base ... and lots of employment opportunities for massage therapists.

Cruise Ships

Cruise ships operate world-class spas at sea and employ many massage therapists - giving them the opportunity to travel the world while they work.

Sports

Sports massage plays an important part in the life of any athlete. Massage therapists have a variety of opportunities to work with amateur and professional athletes - in health clubs, fitness centers, sports clinics, and even directly for athletic teams.
 

^{* Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-2013 Edition
** 2012 Massage Profession Research Report, American Massage Therapy Association}