The American Massage Therapy Association has just released the results of their annual consumer survey on the state of massage therapy in the U.S.

Americans now get massage for medical reasons as often as they get massage for relaxation, according to the 2009 AMTA survey. The percentage of consumers who receive massage for medical or health-related reasons is almost equal to the percentage of consumers who receive massage for relaxation. Both are just a touch over 30 percent.

Compared to last year, the number of Americans (ages 35-44) who have talked with their medical provider about massage has grown from 14 percent in 2008 to 25 percent in 2009.

This annual consumer research on massage therapy led by the AMTA helps massage therapists and massage students gauge the direction that the industry is headed. You can view the full report on the AMTA website.