The current state of the economy has resulted in job loss concerns, pay decreases, a housing crisis, individual and business bankruptcies and a range of other issues. These concerns are compounded by the present political tensions, constant terror threats and rapidly changing environmental issues. Add to these general worries the daily stressors of work, family, and endless responsibilities which must be attended to with a limited amount of time and resources and it is astounding that the majority of the population manages to remain sane. The need and demand for professional services which provide relief from the mental and physical effects of living in an increasingly fast paced and frantic society is substantial. Massage therapy is the profession which responds to this need and, as a result, is experiencing substantial job growth.

Massage therapists use touch to provide relief from both mental and physical stress and to promote health. There are more than eighty types of massage, labeled modalities, each of which attends to a different problem or area of the body. These include Swedish massage, deep-tissue massage, acupressure, sports massage, neuromuscular massage and reflexology. Some modalities are intended to provide stress relief, enhance relaxation or to treat muscle injuries. Massage therapists often select an area of specialization and sometimes choose to work exclusively with certain types of clients: such as pregnant women, elderly clients or athletes. Specialization allows massage therapists to develop an expertise in a specific area which can translate into more clients.

Job growth, according to the United States Department of Labor, is expected to increase substantially in the massage therapy profession. The increase of job openings will be much more rapid for the massage therapy profession than for many other professions. The projected increase of 19 percent over the next eight years is directly attributed to all of the stressors and factors discussed previously. The demand for massage therapy professionals and massage therapy is causing an increase in the number of spa and resort facility openings. Massage clinics, a cheaper alternative to spas and resorts, are also experiencing an increase in the number of facilities opening. The affordability of these clinics is making massage services accessible to a larger segment of the population and correspondingly increasing the number of individuals seeking the services of a massage therapy professional.