What is luxury massage?

When you hear the word “massage”, what do you typically think of? Many people associate it with a “spa” or “a special treat.” A luxury, yes, but not a need.

But did you know that many people receive massage therapy as a form of health care? According to the American Massage Therapy Association, the primary reason people received massage was for medical or health reasons.

• 43% 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.
• 88% of massage consumers agree that massage can be effective in reducing pain.
• 32% of massage consumers had a massage for relaxation/stress reduction between July 2012 and July 2013.

More Americans are discussing massage with their doctors or health care providers.

• As of July 2013, more than 50, 000, 000 American adults (16%) had discussed massage therapy with their doctors or health care providers during the previous year.

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
• Decreasing pain in cancer patients
• Fibromyalgia
• Edema/Inflammation

Harrington Massage Therapy is located within KCIM’s Integrative Medicine Clinic at 5401 College Boulevard, Overland Park, KS 66211.