National Massage Therapy Awareness Week

More than just making a person feel relaxed, massage therapy can have all sorts of positive effects on a person’s physical, emotional, and mental health.

Whether it’s a short armchair massage to relieve stress or a full-body deep-tissue massage for healing after illness, this therapeutic practice can work on its own or hand-in-hand with other treatments.

National Massage Therapy Awareness Week aims to shine a spotlight on the myriad of health benefits brought about by massage therapy, as well as encourage the public to learn more about and experience massage personally!

History of National Massage Therapy Awareness Week

National Massage Therapy Awareness Week arrived on the scene more than 25 years ago when it was started as an initiative by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA).

The idea behind the first event in 1997 was to improve public and media awareness about the benefits and efficacy of massage, along with acknowledging the importance of massage therapy as a profession.

Since its inaugural celebration, National Massage Therapy Awareness Week has grown as it encourages more and more people to experience massage therapy. In addition, this event is also an important opportunity for stakeholders to advocate for regulation and licensure for the massage industry.

How to Celebrate National Massage Therapy Awareness Week

Those who are looking for some tips and ideas on how to participate in National Massage Therapy Awareness Week might want to get started with some of these ideas:

Schedule a Massage

One of the best ways to show support to people in the massage care industry is to support their business and make an appointment to get a massage. Those who don’t already have a massage therapist might try finding one through the national locator service on the AMTA’s website.

Celebrate National Massage Therapy Awareness Week by getting that massage and then promoting their business with an online recommendation!

Learn & Share Benefits of Massage Therapy

When the AMTA started National Massage Therapy Awareness Week, one of the goals was to encourage people to learn more about why it is important.

Spend some time during this week learning a bit more about how massage therapy helps and then share with others. Check out some of these facts and benefits to start with:

• Decreased muscle stiffness and joint inflammation
• Improved circulation and flexibility
• Reduced pain and soreness
• Better sleep quality

Appreciate a Massage Therapist

Those who have friends or family members who are massage therapists, or who have a relationship with one who helps them regularly, might be interested in showing some appreciation to them in honor of National Massage Therapy Awareness Week.

Send them a note of thanks, post on their social media page, get them a gift card, or do something extra special for them in celebration of this event.

Other exciting events to celebrate throughout the year related to massage include Baby Massage Day on April 8, Therapeutic Massage Awareness Day on May 1 and Everybody Deserves a Massage Week in mid-June.