Prevalence, patterns, and predictors of massage practitioner utilization: Results of a US nationally representative survey

Sundberg, T; Cramer, H; Sibbritt, D; Adams, J; Lauche, R

Prevalence, patterns, and predictors of massage practitioner utilization: Results of a US nationally representative survey

Sundberg, T Cramer, H Sibbritt, D

Adams, J

Lauche, R

Permalink

Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 2017, 32 pp. 31 - 37
Issue Date:: 2017-12-01

Open Access

Copyright Clearance Process

Recently Added
In Progress
Open Access

This item is open access.

Unknown

Download Accepted Manuscript VersionUnknown (896.88 kB)

View on publisher's site

View statistics

Full metadata record

Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Sundberg, T	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Cramer, H	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Sibbritt, D https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3561-9447	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Adams, J https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9901-5717	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Lauche, R https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4171-7935	en_US
dc.date.available	2020-05-25T19:03:09Z
dc.date.issued	2017-12-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 2017, 32 pp. 31 - 37	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	2468-8630	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/111479
dc.description.abstract	© 2017 Elsevier Ltd Background The use of massage therapy is common, especially in patients with musculoskeletal pain. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence, utilization, socio-demographic and health-related predictors of massage practitioner consultations in the US population. Methods Cross-sectional data from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey for adults (n = 34,525). Results Prevalence of massage practitioner utilization were 12.8% (lifetime) and 6.8% (last 12 months). Compared to non-users, those who used massage in the last year were more likely: female, at least high school educated, annual income ≥ US$ 15,000, diagnosed with spinal pain or arthritis, report moderate physical activity level as compared to low level, and consume alcohol as compared to being abstinent. Massage was mainly used for general wellness or disease prevention (56.3%), but also for specific, typically musculoskeletal, health problems (41.9%) for which 85.2% reported massage helped to some or a great deal. Most (59.1%) did not disclose massage use to their health care provider, despite 69.4% reporting massage therapy combined with medical treatment would be helpful. Conclusions Approximately 7% (15.4 million) of US adults used massage therapy in the past year, mainly for general disease prevention, wellness or musculoskeletal pain. The majority of respondents reported positive outcomes of massage on specific health problems and overall well-being. Massage utilization was rarely covered by health insurance. Despite the majority of massage users considered massage therapy combined with medical care helpful, most did not disclose massage therapy use to their health care provider.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Musculoskeletal Science and Practice	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.msksp.2017.07.003	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Neck Pain	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Massage	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Prevalence	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Cross-Sectional Studies	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Adolescent	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Adult	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Aged	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Aged, 80 and over	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Middle Aged	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	United States	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Female	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Male	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Young Adult	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Surveys and Questionnaires	en_US
dc.title	Prevalence, patterns, and predictors of massage practitioner utilization: Results of a US nationally representative survey	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	32	en_US
utslib.for	1106 Human Movement and Sports Sciences	en_US
utslib.for	1104 Complementary and Alternative Medicine	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
utslib.copyright.status	open_access
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	32	en_US

Abstract:

© 2017 Elsevier Ltd Background The use of massage therapy is common, especially in patients with musculoskeletal pain. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence, utilization, socio-demographic and health-related predictors of massage practitioner consultations in the US population. Methods Cross-sectional data from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey for adults (n = 34,525). Results Prevalence of massage practitioner utilization were 12.8% (lifetime) and 6.8% (last 12 months). Compared to non-users, those who used massage in the last year were more likely: female, at least high school educated, annual income ≥ US$ 15,000, diagnosed with spinal pain or arthritis, report moderate physical activity level as compared to low level, and consume alcohol as compared to being abstinent. Massage was mainly used for general wellness or disease prevention (56.3%), but also for specific, typically musculoskeletal, health problems (41.9%) for which 85.2% reported massage helped to some or a great deal. Most (59.1%) did not disclose massage use to their health care provider, despite 69.4% reporting massage therapy combined with medical treatment would be helpful. Conclusions Approximately 7% (15.4 million) of US adults used massage therapy in the past year, mainly for general disease prevention, wellness or musculoskeletal pain. The majority of respondents reported positive outcomes of massage on specific health problems and overall well-being. Massage utilization was rarely covered by health insurance. Despite the majority of massage users considered massage therapy combined with medical care helpful, most did not disclose massage therapy use to their health care provider.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/111479