Acupuncture & Massage BLOG

Americans are reporting experiencing more stress than last year, and are turning to massage therapy for stress reduction and relaxation, according to the 12th annual consumer survey conducted by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA.)
The survey found that 59 percent of Americans are more stressed this year than last year, and stress and relaxation are the top reasons Americans received their last massage.

“People continue to seek massage because it provides multiple therapeutic benefits, including stress relief, at an affordable price,” says M.K. Brennan, RN, AMTA president. “Massage therapy has not only been shown to reduce anxiety and depression, but it can also relieve stress symptoms like chronic migraines and high blood pressure.”

Thirty-six percent of Americans received massage for stress reduction and relaxation in the last five years, compared with just 22 percent last year. Additionally, 38 percent of Americans say they have considered regular massage to manage stress.
The state of the economy has been a major stress trigger for Americans this past year. Forty-five percent of Americans say they are greatly stressed by the current economic situation, or other factors. Younger Americans and women have felt particularly affected by the economy. Fifty-five percent of those ages 25-34 say they are greatly stressed by the economic situation, and 51 percent of females agree.
Young Americans are the most likely to consider massage for stress. Fifty percent of 18-24 year olds say they would consider massage to manage stress.

While young Americans are more likely to seek massage for stress, people with higher incomes are more likely to discuss massage therapy with their doctors. This year, 16 percent of those making $50,000 a year or more, discussed massage with their physicians, which is nearly twice as many as those making between $25,000 and $35,000. And more than half (57 percent) of those who talked to their doctor about massage reported that their doctor strongly recommended or encouraged them to get a massage.

“As perceptions regarding the multiple benefits of massage evolve, it’s interesting to note that some of its most prevalent evangelists are doctors,” said Brennan. “This trend will continue as more doctors refer patients to massage therapists and see how it can help their patients recover from injuries, alleviate pain and ease stress.”
Despite recommendations from doctors, massage therapy is not always covered in health insurance plans. Sixty percent of Americans reported that they would like to see massage covered by their insurance plans.

For information about Acupuncture & Massage College’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs call Joe Calareso, Admissions Director, at (305) 595-9500.

Acupuncture & Massage College invites all veterans for FREE acupuncture and massage services at the AMC Community Clinic in commemoration of Veterans Day from Monday, November 10 through Saturday, November 15. For more information or to make an appointment, call (305) 595-9500. AMC is located at 10506 N. Kendall Drive, Miami.

AMC’s free Community Clinic treatments are designed to aid an individual’s efforts to heal from trauma, transition from military service and are aimed to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD.) As healing therapies, acupuncture and massage can alleviate symptoms of trauma and acute and chronic stress. These natural, holistic modalities are effective and safe complementary therapies for individuals undergoing conventional treatment methods such as medication and counseling.
Only about half of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans suffering from PTSD seek medical care, according to a study by the nonprofit Rand Corporation. US Military and civilian organizations are presently being urged to offer support services to veterans returning from war who are experiencing trauma and stress.

Acupuncture can restore and maintain health by stimulating certain acupuncture points on the body. Auricular (ear) acupuncture can aid in balancing the nervous system and can induce relaxation. Acupuncture addresses issues related to PTSD such as mood changes, irritability, hypervigilance, mental fogginess, and flashbacks. Acupuncture can also treat anxiety, panic and sleep disorders.

According to the National Center for PTSD (US Department of Veterans Affairs), about 30 percent of the men and women who have spent time in recent war zones experience combat-induced PTSD, a categorization of PTSD more difficult to treat than PTSD caused by other traumas. Acupuncture can be an effective addition to treatment regimens for PTSD; it can also reduce body pain without the side effects associated with medication.

The free massage treatments offered to veterans at AMC’s Community Clinic can effectively treat the musculoskeletal problems common among returning veterans. Massage boosts energy, speeds healing, eases pain, enhances relaxation, reduces stress, and improves mood. In addition to treating many musculoskeletal problems such as fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, low back pain, and sprains and strains, massage can treat symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome such as sleep disorders and depression.

For information about Acupuncture & Massage College’s Oriental Medicine and Massage Therapy programs call Joe Calareso, Admissions Director, at (305) 595-9500.

Acupuncture & Massage College will be offering FREE mini-massages, FREE lectures and FREE lunch to celebrate Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Day. The AOM open house will be held on Saturday, October 25 from 10 am to 2 pm and will include a raffle for a FREE acupuncture treatment at the AMC Community Clinic. Space is limited, so please call and RSVP today, (305) 595-9500. The college is located at 10506 N. Kendall Drive, Miami.

Acupuncture physicians and other AOM practitioners have been celebrating AOM Day since October 24, 2002, the occasion of the first Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Day. The purpose of AOM Day is to educate the public about the benefits of acupuncture and other Oriental Medicine healing modalities. AOM Day was originally held by a group of AOM organizations from the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

The number of organizations, participants, advocates, and Oriental medicine practitioners recognizing Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Day has expanded and grown significantly since the first AOM Day celebration. With the eighth anniversary of AOM Day this October 24, this year’s celebration is expected to include several colleges and organizations participating for the first time this year.

Since the first AOM Day began on October 24, 2002, Acupuncture & Massage College has been an active participant in this AOM commemoration. Joining with other acupuncture and Oriental medicine participants and organizations throughout the United States and other countries, AMC is proud and honored to host an annual event to celebrate the professions of acupuncture and other Oriental medicine modalities, such as Chinese herbal medicine, Tui Na, Chinese dietary therapy, and others.

In commemoration of this important day, AMC offers an open house and several free activities on October 25 to promote greater public awareness of the benefits of acupuncture and Oriental medicine. These activities include free mini-massages, free talks about AOM, conducting open house tours of AMC’s clinics and facilities for prospective students and the general public, and working with local AOM practitioners in this commemoration.

Acupuncture & Massage College’s board of directors, faculty and staff acknowledge the importance of having this official day for the AOM professions, practitioners, advocates, and participants to celebrate the contributions that acupuncture physicians and other AOM practitioners make to the health care profession.

For more information about AOM Day or to RSVP call (305) 595-9500.