Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies
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Focus Alternat Complement Ther©2005 Pharmaceutical Press
Focus Altern Complement Ther 1997; 2: 198
To examine the opinions and referral behaviour of family physicians, physiotherapists and chiropractors with respect to massage therapy.
Cross-sectional survey of random samples of family physicians (n=300), physiotherapists (n=150) and chiropractors (n=154) in Alberta, Canada, using a mailed questionnaire.
The response rates were 55%, 69% and 84% respectively. Thirty-two percent of physicians indicated they had good or excellent knowledge of massage therapy versus 90% of physiotherapists and 91% of chiropractors. Despite having less knowledge of massage therapy, most physicians (83%), like physiotherapists (90%) and chiropractors (96%), felt that massage therapy was a useful adjunct to their own therapy and most physicians (71%), again like physiotherapists (83%) and chiropractors (95%), had referred patients to massage. The majority of health professionals perceived an increasing demand from their patients for massage therapy. Physicians (51%) were less likely to support regulation of massage therapy than physiotherapists (75%) and chiropractors (80%).
Overall, the respondents demonstrated positive opinions of massage therapy. Health professionals perceive an increasing demand for massage therapy and the majority refer patients for massage therapy. Attention needs to be turned towards the education of health professionals, regulation of massage therapy and continued research into the efficacy of massage therapy.
